BRUNEI-MUARA

THE Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Marine Police (POLMAR) yesterday kicked off their 11th bilateral exercise codenamed Sembilang Exercise in a bid to boost maritime security cooperation.

Scheduled to take place over four days at the Muara Naval Base, the exercise is aimed to further enhance inter-operability between RBN and POLMAR in conducting surveillance and interception within planned operation zones.

It will also enable both forces to project presence and deterrence within Brunei territorial waters and key installations such as oil rigs in coastal areas.

During the opening at the Multinational Coordination Centre, RBN Fleet Commander Lieutenant Colonel (L) Pg Mohamad Pg Hj Damit noted that the Sembilang Exercise is a testament to the growing ties between the two organisations.

He also underscored the importance of ensuring safety while meeting the exercise objectives, as well as improving mutual procedures and operational tactics.

This year’s maritime interdiction exercise will comprise harbour, sea and post-sea phases with focus on evolutions such as boarding operations, sea patrol and hot pursuit. There will also be discussions on topics including maritime law, power of arrest and transnational crime.

Other agencies such as the National Maritime Coordination Centre, Marine Department as well as the Royal Brunei Customs and Excise Department were also invited to participate in the talks.

Assets deployed throughout the exercise comprise the KDB Ijtihad, KDB Serasa and Naval Surface Action Group.

Exercise Sembilang will also see involvement from POLMAR’s Special Operations Team and two patrol boats.

“The exercise has witnessed broadening of scope and complexity through the years of its existence,” said the Ministry of Defence in a press statement.

Exercise Sembilang also hopes to foster relations between personnel from RBN and POLMAR.

In attendance at the ceremony was Superintendent Matusin Hj Jumat, Officer Commanding of POLMAR under the Royal Brunei Police Force.

The Brunei Times