KUALA LUMPUR, Sunday, 29 October 2017 - Two Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) Officers were sent to attend the four-day ‘Western Pacific Naval Symposium Junior Officer International Programme’ (WPNS JOIP), in conjunction with the sixth ‘Asean Navy Young Officers Interaction’ (6th ANYOI) programme which commenced from the 25th – 28th October 2017. Representing the RBN were Lieutenant Mohammad Baharudin bin Haji Mohammad Salleh, RBN and Lieutenant Mohammad Amiel Azim bin Haji Afflon, RBN.
The programme was officiated by Malaysia’s Deputy Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Johari bin Baharum in an ice breaking session with the attendance of all the participants from 24 nations, held at the National Hydrography Centre, Port Klang, Malaysia.
The activities of the 1st WPNS JOIP and 6th ANYOI includes, sailing onboard the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Gagah Samudera to Lumut RMN Naval Base, which among others was aimed at introducing initiatives such as the conduct of The Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), Hostage Rescue Drill demonstration by RMN’s Special Forces, Country and Career Brief, eRakam and ‘Inisiatif Bertanya Khabar’.
Additionally, the activities in Lumut RMN Naval Base includes, a tour around their training facilities (PUSTAKMAR) revealed their sophisticated Bridge Simulator, Warfare Simulator, Fire Fighting Damage Control Simulator and concluded with a diving demo from KD DUYONG home to the RMN’s Hard Hat Divers.
The programme was the first of its kind, both WPNS JOIP and 6th ANYOI was combined as a concurrent programme to provide maximum exposure to the young naval officers from 24 nations.
Themed as “Enhancing Operational Interoperability and Fostering Navy Future Leaders” was set to emphasize the importance of developing regional cooperation, by exchanging views and ideas amongst young leaders to further enhance defence diplomacy and maritime security.
Forty-eight junior officers including seven women, with the rank of Lieutenant below who represented their individual countries includes, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Canada, Cambodia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United States, United Kingdom, Vietnam and Malaysia.
RMN’s Deputy Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Datuk Anuwi bin Hassan concluded the programme with a certificate presentation to all participants held at the Malaysia’s Armed Forces Officers Mess, Kuala Lumpur.
