The riot to pressure Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to resign and leave in Cairo has now dwindled into a situation much horrified. It is a lawless scenario where rampant rioting and looting spiraled into total blackout of communications and curfew imposed. Phone lines and internet have now become non existence.
Amongst those affected are 14,000 Malaysians, mostly students which numbered 11,000. Majority of them are Federal Government sponsored students, specifically MARA.
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak instructed that Wisma Putra co-ordinate trapped Malaysians to be evacuated from Egypt. First to be deployed is RMAF C-130H transporters from No. 20 squadron based in TUDM Subang. RMN frigates serving operations in the Indian Ocean for piracy patrol were also deployed to provide support for ferrying the trapped Malaysians via sea.
TUDM C-130H
Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia joined Wisma Putra’s co-ordinate ‘Operation Pyramid’ in the evacuation. Malaysia Airlines committed 2 B747-400s whilst AirAsia committed an A330-200 for the operation. Despite facing diplomatic bureaucracy and landings rights for the Government initiated evacutaion, first Malaysians were successfully evacuated from Cairo landed in Jeddah earlier today.
Malaysia Airlines B747-400
These aircrafts supposed to fly at least 9 to 12 flights between Cairo and Alexandria to Jeddah. The B747-400s are designed to carry 400 passengers where else the A340 is supposed to carry 290 passengers and the C-130Hs are able to carry 200 passengers per flight. That means that maximum, only 1690 passengers are able to be evacuated any givenr day from Cairo or any destination to Jeddah (the transit point for the operations before being flown back to Malaysia).
Realistically, that is a nine day operations. To ferry the aircraft to and from Kuala Lumpur to Cairo via Jeddah, roughly 460-500,000 litres of aviation Jet A1 is required per day. That makes a sum of 4.25 million litres of highly flammable kerosene fuel. At international cost of RM 3.20 per litre, that is RM 14 million in just fuel bill alone. That does not include 18 pilots, 9 license aircraft maintenance engineers and 42-45 cabin crews required daily.
Upload of meals from Jeddah for the 7 hr 45 mins flight home would easily cost RM 320.00 per pax (USD 100.00). That is RM 3.5 million bill.
Other cost include ferrying relieve/relay crew, landing and parking operations, the temporary lodging and food for Malaysians in Jeddha (currently, housed at Tabung Haji’s transit facility Midanatul Hujaj near the King Abdul Aziz Airport) and cost to co-ordinate the operation. The maintenance cost would be exorbitant as Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and especially TUDM requires more care for their birds in a high frequency operation such as this. Reinstatement of communications within Egypt and Egypt to the outside world would termendously improve the situation.
‘Ops Pyramid’ is a serious effort. Malaysians should not complain this herculean effort. Especially when ‘earth is literally moved’ to get these trapped Malaysians out.
The "thirteen million plus Ringgit" guy rambles.... 
I bet my ass, they (READ: Opposition) will spin this to
‘It’s the government’s duty,as the exorbitant amount is from the money they’ve paid through taxes’. Am not Nostradamus, but there will be stories about how they will be ill-treated; not enough food and lodging, those who helped were rude, extremely late – as if Egypt is 5-mins away from wherever they are,or the ever-classic .. the opposition wants to help but the government didn’t let them, because BN wants the glory. Bla, bla, bla.
I’ve blogwalked all over and read about these gallant efforts..and I will be heartbroken if the opposition would criticise this rescue mission.
But, one thing for sure, it made me a believer..Am not aligned to any party, but I know now who to vote.
Bloody good, brother. I’m also a no-party man. I’ll vote like you vote. I share your sentiment.
Brother, I need to re-post this article (and with full credit and link to here) so that others will benefit. Thanks.
I say again and again. Malaysians are very lucky to be Malaysians.
If only the logistics and commitment could be applied to completing the low cost flats at Jelatek (KL). Two friends of mine, two road sweepers were told it would be ready by February 2009. Today it still remains a big bungled hulk and the two road sweepers are paying 450 ringgit/month for NOTHING.
And my heart also goes out to the Egyptians – half the population live in abject poverty. Helping hands for Gaza (?), Palestine (?), Moros (?), Rohingyas (?), Pattani Malays (?) …. oh well..!!!
BD
Well said. As it is, already some psychos are more interested in twisting this herculean effort by claiming that it is anwar who ‘s made it possible. Those who took to the streets did not even mention that they are more worried about the lives of malaysians there and nor did these demo machos offer to volunteer go help the evacuation effort.
All bloggers should make it their responsibility to unite n making sure that the govt’s effort get as much support as possible as this is about saving lives of malaysians abroad.
Leave the politicking behind for the moment and think like ordinary malaysians who are concerned that the govt ‘s effort should not be sabotaged for the sake of lives of innocent young malaysians who can get killed.
Good work BD. Hope ur piece gets picked for main page in mainstream media.
Of course anwar and his followers are trying to provoke a domino effect so that demos hit the streets -so that people will attack the Malaysian government.These are political cowards and sickos.
Beware of anwar and his saudi backers. They will try to deflect the mob anger away from the Saudi royalty who rule the kingdom. There’s no shortage of back stabbing , unbridled greedy ambition and corrupt princes in the arab kingdom, who will claim they act in the name of Muslim brotherhood. But in all honesty these treacherous men cant wait to depose the current rulers and rule the wealth in the saudi kingdom.
As much as Cairo have been guilty in supporting Israel govt , the saudi royals are also guilty of betraying the palestinians. Their wealth is unimaginable and they could have used them to ensure palestinians get their homeland. But they didnt because its bad for business.
We must not forget that Hosni is under the American influence, so is El Baradei. Dont ever forget he is also responsible for supporting a powerful country to lie to the world and murdered thousands of innocent
iraqis. And we want our country to have the same type of democracy as these murderers? And look who is the chief murderer architect of the genocide war on Iraq and afghanistan – That Paul whoisit. And birds of a feather flog together, dont ever let the world and malaysians forget that anwar did not cry murder when the americans and British murdered the Iraqis. Why ?Because he is in the circle of a murderers of innocent Iraqi children and women.
If he ever tries to even suggest that Malaysians take to the street under the guise of democracy and Islam, as follow up of the revolution in Cairo, I hope the government will not be so namby pamby about it to avoid taking action of sedition. But then he will get some poor sucker to do it for him.
Bro,yes I agree with you that this operation is not as simple as we can imagine,its a very complex and delicate operations where you cant afford to fool around and make mistake.
Its very interesting to see how National Security Council cordinate all the assets which belong to very different organization such as the air force,navy,army port unit,commercial aircraft,DCA and the civilians especially the EGYPTIANS and the Saudis.
My salute to all those involved in this operation,GREAT AND WELL DONE !
Salam,
Thank you for providing coverage to an event that deserved to be highlighted and giving credit where credit is due.
It is a logistical nightmare to organise such a massive evacuation especially due to the facts that not everything is within our control. Certain country are very sensitive with the control of their airspace. Not even the American have the means or prerogative to bypass this obstacles. 2004 Tsunami and the 2 Gulf War is still widely studied in US War College as a case in point.
I do believe that good personal relationship and trust does have a role here and it is not something one can develop over night. (again referring to the 2004 tsunami as an example when the American had a speedy access to overfly our airspace en route to Indonesia)
Kepada mereka yang tak sehaluan dengan kerajaan, kalau tak mahu ucapkan terima kasih atau beri penghargaan kepada mereka yang terlibat sekalipun, janganlah kritik membabi buta.
BD,
Am not one to gloat..but after recent developments, can I just add, err ‘I told you so..’ on my predictions!
BTW – I love that Perak PAS guy who asked ‘since the government took the the students out to safety (from the brink of death by revolution – if i might and aptly add), shouldn’t the government send them back?’
You know what, it is true that common sense and intelligence comes in different quantity for some. What a bleughhh..!! Why the PM is putting up with idiots is beyond me ..I applaud his tolerance over suffering fools, if it’s up to me, I feel like walking up to Perak and give some bitch-slap to that PAS guy! You’re a good man Najib!!
Salam BD,
Aku ckp melayu je la yer.
Aku serius x setuju dgn Ops Pyramid ni.
Bodoh punya keje..
Bukan Govt yg bodoh tp 14000 si manja mangkuk yg minta ‘diselamatkan’ tu laa yg bodoh.
So, skang ni tak-dan nak siap Ops Pyramid ni, dah kelam kabut nak diminta hantar blk pulak..
Minggu lepas x sabor2 nak diselamatkan kononnya, dah nak mampos dah semuanya, makanan x ada, duit x ada, tido siap nak berpisau semua cukup.. Apa punya kelam kabut laa.. Yg paling aku panas tu, siap salahkan govt x ambik diaorg awal2 !! ..
Elo brother, aku keje penat2 siang malam, pastu bayar tax mahal 2-3 ribu sebulan, bukan utk duit tu dibazirkan pada org x reti bersabo x reti berdikari mcm 14k mangkuk kat Mesir tu !!
Terus terang ckp ler, sepanjang Episod Mesir ni berlaku, xder satu pon rumah rakyat M’sia dijarah, xder pon kes rakyat M’sia dikacau/di-riot-kan, kecuali pada mereka2 yg menggatal/membodohkan diri pergi keluar time rakyat tempatan tgh panas2, mmg patut laa kene pon. Ada lagi yg siap berseronok2 join riot tu.. pastu kene sergah ngan Pak Mesir, terus lari report Mak, kata kene tido pegang pisau, Yg ko pergi jadi bodoh join riot tu buat apa?
Sejak terjadi Episod Tunisia, keadaan kat Mesir mmg dah simmering, aku yg kat M’sia ni pon tahu, tp xder plak 14k mangkuk ni nak prepare apa yg patut, beli n simpan barang mkn ke, duduk dlm
satu kumpulan yg besar ke, pakat2 ddk kat Embassy ke, pakat semua berkumpul n tinggal sementara kat Univ ke.. ini tidak.. menonong jer .. Tau2 gelabah suruh Govt ambik ko kluar.. Bangang..
Apa yg jadi kat Mesir cuma perbalahan politik antara Rakyat dan Govt mereka, sama mcm Hindraf buat taik dulu, sama mcm Anwar Gay-Boi buat taik dulu.. ia cuma sekadar tunjuk perasaan yg huru-hara semata-mata. Benda2 mcm ni takkan berlarutan lama. Abis kuat sebulan, pastu settle laa.. ni dah pon terbukti, x smpi 2 minggu pon, dah settle n makin aman.
Lain laa Episod Mesir tu sebuah peperangan ke.. antara negara. Cth: Tetiba Mesir vs Tunisia perang. Bom kiri kanan.. Atau, at least perang saudara kat Mesir, dimana tentera vs Pembrontak bersenjata.. Kalau mcm tu, lain laa ceritanya, mmg laa perlu diselamatkan.. Sbb mmg konfirm, kalau stay sana berpotensi tinggi akan mati !!
Lagi satu, giler buruk imej Malaysia pada mata Mesir, Kalau aku ler org Mesir, gila aku x confident Malaysia ni boleh dikonsider sbg ‘kawan baik’.. baru rakyat aku gocoh gocoh siket, pakat lari blk abis semua.. Mcm xder telur, Terus terang ckp ler, jgb terkejut laa kalau markah exam korang lepas ni merundum.. pasti akan bias punya.. Kalau aku jadi lecturer kat Uni Mesir tu, aku bg fail je semua budak2 manja ni ..
Cer korang igt, time Hibdraf buat taik, time Bersih buat jem mcm celaka kat KL, time Anwar Gay-Boi tunjuk bontot dia taun 97/98 .. ada ke org Mesir di Malaysia ni ‘diselamatkan’ dek govt diaorg? Betapa diaorg yakin pada keupayaan org Malaysia.. pastu, baik punya kita balas dgn Tuba.. haaa elok sgt laa tu !!
Sebelum aku terlupa, aku x salahkan Govt dlm hal ni, sbb govt xder pilihan lain.. 14k rakyatnya kat Mesir semuanya manja.. apa dia boleh buat? nak x nak kene selamatkan, kot mana kot mana pon, rakyat dia juga..
Yg aku salahkan ialah 14k mangkuk hayun tersebut dan parti pembangkang kat M’sia ni.. To all pembangkang, for once laa, pakai akai tu utk sesuatu yg bermakna, cuba kalau b4 Ops Pyramid ni, korang semua push Govt, not to do it, dan pada masa yg sama korang push 14k tu utk grow some balls n unite !! wahh barulah BERMAKNA !! Takkan laa semua pon nak UMNO gak kene wat, dah ler nak kene tukar lampin si MCA, MIC n Gerakan.. takkan UMNO nak kene bancuhkan susu utk pembangkang sekali kot? Kalau mcm tu, baik takyah jadi pembangkang.. masuk je BN .. semua2 pon UMNO gak yg nak kene buat.. yg lain menonong je ..
Berbalik pada 14k yg ‘diselamatkan’ tu .. serius bro n sis .. korang semua mengecewakan !! ini laa akibatnya kalau xmo bersatu bila diperantauan.. semua nak ikut kelab2 negeri memasing.. nak mengamalkan assabiayah sgt … Patutnya waktu2 krisis mcm ni laa, timbulkan perpaduan, timbulkan Leadership, Tingkatkan kemandiri, bersatu-padu dan sayang menyayangi.. Lindung-melindung sesama rakyat Malaysia.. Bukannya ddk dlm clique korang sendiri, mengigil ketakutan n throw your tantrum kat Govt !!
Kalau u all hv been united, brave and protect each others kat sana n x perlu diselamatkan.. u all would hv a lot of Heroic stories u can tell your next generation.. but, guess what? now u guys hv a story to share with your kids n grandkids later : Aku seorg pengecut yg telah menyusahkan Govt aku, utk ‘menyelamatkan’ aku dari keadaan/kejadian yg tak ada apa-apa.. Serius, korang mmg mengecewakan..
Dah, pergi laa blk mesir sana blk.. Kalau Govt nak juga tolong hantarkan ‘anak-anak manja’ dia ni blk .. aku halalkan laa duit tax aku tu walaupon hati marah. Kalau lepas ni manja gak lagi, semoga at least tak laa jadi pengecut.. And on the way blk tu, minta2lah maaf kat geng2 askar n airlines yg tak pasal2 nak kene tukarkan lampin korang tu … Nak aku tolong bancuhkan susu sekali ke?
Itu shj nukilan dari aku, saja malas nak tulis English sepenuhnya, 14k si manja tu rasanya semuanya Melayu, ada eloknya settle2 sesama Melayu je..
Pada Kerajaan Malaysia, saya bersimpati pada anda, Anda telah melakukan yg terbaik, tahniah !! Tapi nak buat mcm mana, rakyat anda manja sgt …
Kepada sesiapa yg nak menyokong, membantah, berbincang lanjut atau berkongsi pendapat, silalah hubungi aku kat kyusrii@gmail.com
Salam semua,
Br,
Khairil