Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Republic of Indonesia; Saturday, 5th May 2018 – The Opening Ceremony of the 3rd MNEK 2018 was held in Port of Lembar, Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Republic of Indonesia this morning. Chief of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Ade Supandi deliver his opening speech emphasising on the important of cooperation between navies in facing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) that often occurs in this region. This year’s exercise theme is “Cooperation to Respond Disaster and Humanitarian Issues”. He also thanks all participants participating in the exercise and iterated that the exercise is the best opportunity in building confidence. The exercise will run from the 5th to 9th of May 2018 organised by the Indonesian Navy (IDN).
First Admiral Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi the Commander of Royal Brunei Navy along with Chief of IDN and other Chief of Navies as well as representative sounded the gendang indicating the commencement of the exercise. Also present were the Minister of Communication and Information and the Governor of Nusa Tenggara Barat. At the same time, the release of 250 doves and the sound of ships’ horn by all participating ships. On completion of the opening ceremony, all Chief of Navies and representative signed a plaque that will be submerged next to the coral plantation as part of the activity in commemorating the preserving of the nature.
Fleet Inspection by Chief of IDN and by all Chief of Navies and representative onboard KRI BARAKUDA was amongst the activity carried out during the Opening Ceremony which comprises of 36 IDN ships and 15 others.
Other activities going in parallel was the Lesson from Expert carried out at Golden Palace Hotel. This sharing session were presented by Oliver Lacey-Hall from OCHA Indonesia, Captain Antoine Colombier from European Union Naval Forces, Commander Stockbrige Royal Navy shared on Legal Issues in HADR, and Wisnu Widjaja from National Disaster Management Authority sharing on National Emergency Management System including its mechanism.
In the afternoon was City Parade where all provinces in Lombok and participating countries paraded around the Mataram Islamic Centre. Co-located in the compound of the Islamic Centre was the Maritime Exhibition. All delegations have the opportunity to visit 31 booths from local companies and international companies offering defence capability from shipbuilding to personnel equipment.
In the evening, a dinner reception was hosted at Governor’s Office as a welcome to all delegates.
The activities continues tomorrow with more activities including Table Top Exercise, Tactical Floor Game, Cycling and Running around Mataram City before ships sail for sea phase on the 9th of May.
