MUARA, Friday, 18 December 2020 – The 15th series of Exercise SEMBILANG concluded with a closing ceremony that took place at Multi-National Coordination Centre (MNCC) today. This year’s exercise was hosted by the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) from 14 to 18 December 2020, involving assets from Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), RBN, Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) and Marine Police, Royal Brunei Police Force (POLMAR, RBPF).
Officiating the closing ceremony was Superintendent Haji Mohd Azrie bin Haji Talip, Acting Director of Operations, RBPF. Also present were Superintendent Haji Mahran bin Haji Ahmad, Officer Commanding POLMAR, RBPF, Commander Azrin bin Haji Mahmud, Acting Fleet Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Mohd Roasri Erwan bin Haji Tasrif, Assistant Chief of Staff Operation RBLF, and Lieutenant Colonel Rudie Asmawie bin Haji Abidin, Commanding Officer of Support Battalion, RBLF.
This year’s exercise was focused on procedures and best practices for Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIOPs), investigation, evidence handling and also towing procedures. The exercise that took place at the Jerudong coastal area included integrated boarding exercise and towing exercise between the RBN and Marine Police, RBPF. It has given the agencies involved opportunities to identify any underlying issues and gaps in order to improve operations within the maritime agencies as well as improve interoperability between agencies towards a safe and secure maritime domain through a Whole of Government Approach.
Through Exercise SEMBILANG, participating agencies were able to gain valuable knowledge and experience through classes, workshops and practical exercises. A sport interaction also took place to increase trust and strengthen camaraderie between agencies and to compete for the SEMBILANG Cup.
RBN and Marine Police, RBPF as well as RBLF, RBAirF and Joint Force Headquarters RBAF have played a key role in advancing the exercise’s objectives by working together and hope to make more improvements in the next series of Exercise SEMBILANG.
