Three cops shot dead in shootout

Three Policemen were shot dead and another officer injured in a shoot out during a crime prevention raid. The narcotics team approached a house in Petaling Jaya following a drug related tip-off but were fired upon by a group of men.

The Star has the story:

Friday October 26, 2007

Drug ambush goes awry

By RASHITHA A. HAMID

PETALING JAYA: Three policemen were shot dead while one is in critical condition after a shootout at a double-storey terrace house in Kampung Desa Aman here on Thursday night.

L/Kpl K. Jayabalan from Gombak police headquarters died at the scene while detective M. Alagesan from the city police headquarters and L/Kpl R. Rajakumaran from the Commercial Crime department died at the Sungai Buloh Hospital.

The injured policeman is C/Insp Helmi Zakaria from the Gombak Narcotics division. He is at the Sungai Buloh Hospital.

The shooting Thursday night was the third in the last three days in which policemen were shot while on duty.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said the policemen had gone to the house to investigate after receiving a drug-related tip-off.

When they reached the scene, several men in two cars arrived outside the house and fired at the policemen in the 7pm incident.

The suspects escaped. The police are now trying to find out the identity of the people staying in the house.

“They are very dangerous as they are armed,” he said when met at the scene.

“We have informed the police contingent about the incident and told them the cars used by the suspect,” he said.

It is also learnt that the house has been use as a drug laboratory by the suspects.

Meanwhile, a witness to the incident said he saw the policemen reaching the scene in a Honda CR-V.

He said a few shots rang out shortly after.

The man said he ran out to help when one of the policemen shouted for help.

The crimes are getting more complicated and the criminals are more organised, sophisticated and brutal. The Police Force actually need more men and women, much better equipments and more improved work process, on top of the already complicated regime to serve the needs of the Malaysian public, as is.

Look how much major cities, especially Klang Valley, is dependent on the Police Force to assist the traffic control, every single work day morning and evening, rain or shine, without exception or exclusion.

It is imperative that the Police Force be appreciated for the work hazards under the ever adverse conditions and circumstances that they have to go through to ensure our security of blanket is preserved, without the Malaysian public compound their responsibilities with unnecessary petty issues.

It is easy and convenient to blame the Police for any “perceived” failures in them carrying out their duties. Have we ever really thought through how we would carry out those duties that we conveniently mock ourselves, given all the limitations at hand and still deliver was is expected by the Malaysian public, without exception or excuse?

There is a Malay saying to explain this, “Berat bahu memandang, lagi berat bahu memikul“. In times like this, the sacrifice of former IGP Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Hashim, former Perak CPO Tan Sri C T Khoo, Dect. Corporal Saghadevan of Kampung Sauk incident and Sergeant Jamil Md. Shah and the men and women of Bukit Kepong Police Station in 1950, will always be remembered and appreciated, so that the rest of us can sleep soundly, every night.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman launched

The first of Perdana Menteri Class SSK Scorpene submarines, named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, was launched at DCNS shipyard, Arsenal, Cherbourg, France yesterday. A mixture of ‘Air Yassin‘ and water from the holy Zam-Zam well in Mecca, was used to launch the new vessel, instead of the customary champagne.

This is the DCNS official statement from the French:

Baptême du premier Scorpène pour la Malaisie

Paris, le 23 octobre 2007

Aujourd’hui sur le site DCNS de Cherbourg, le premier des deux sous-marins de type Scorpène commandés par la Marine malaisienne a été baptisé Tunku Abdul Rahman* par le Ministre de la Défense malaisien Najib Tun Razak, en présence des autorités malaisiennes et françaises.

Jalon important du contrat signé le 5 juin 2002 entre le gouvernement de la Malaisie et DCNS, cette cérémonie marque symboliquement la fin de la construction du bâtiment. D’ici quelques semaines, après avoir testé à quai ses installations, il sera prêt à entamer ses essais à la mer. La livraison de ce premier sous-marin est prévue en janvier 2009 à la Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). La livraison du deuxième sous-marin est prévue pour fin 2009.

Les deux bâtiments, d’une longueur de 67,5 m et d’un déplacement de 1550 tonnes, seront conduits par un équipage malaisien réduit de 31 hommes pour une autonomie de 45 jours. Les formations des équipages sont calées pour que la Marine soit prête à prendre possession de ses bâtiments en cohérence avec le calendrier de construction des sous-marins.

Ce nouveau programme de sous-marins Scorpène confirme le savoir-faire reconnu de DCNS dans la maîtrise d’œuvre de programmes navals complexes. Avec 10 unités vendues dans le monde, le Scorpène est une référence mondiale en matière de sous-marins conventionnels (2 pour le Chili, 2 pour la Malaisie, 6 pour l’Inde).

Conçus par DCNS, ces sous-marins font l’objet d’un développement en commun avec le constructeur naval espagnol Navantia. Construits en France et en Espagne, ils répondent au même processus industriel. Ils bénéficient des innovations développées ces dernières années sur d’autres programmes et rassemblent les technologies les plus avancées, notamment dans les domaines de l’hydrodynamisme, de la discrétion acoustique et de l’automatisation. Leur conception modulaire permet de s’adapter à des profils de missions et des exigences variées.
* Tunku Abdul Rahman, né le 8 février 1903 et décédé le 6 décembre 1990, aussi appelé le Père de l’Indépendance ou le Père de la Malaisie, a été Premier Ministre de la Fédération de Malaisie à partir de 1955 puis Premier Ministre à partir de l’Indépendance en 1957 et jusqu’à son retrait de la vie publique en 1970.

Bernama.com has the story:

General

---

October 24, 2007 01:19 AM

Submarines Will Expand Malaysia’s Naval Capabilities - Najib

From Roslan Ariffin

CHERBOURG, (France) Oct 24 (Bernama) — Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday the Scorpene class submarine to be delivered in 2009 will significantly expand Malaysia’s naval capabilities and usher the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) into a new era of development and progress.

“It is crucial for Malaysia to have a small but credible and effective naval force not only to safeguard its sovereignity and maritime interests against any eventuality but more importantly contribute to the maritime security and safety in the region,” he said at the launch and naming of Malaysia’s first Scorpene submarine at the DCN Shipyard, here.

Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, launched the submarine which was named after Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Najib said the introduction of the Scorpene submarine would certainly strengthen RMN’s naval capability.

He said the submarine acquisition would also contribute significantly towards creating a more balanced capability of the Malaysian Defence Forces.

He also said that this first submarine, named “KD Tunku Abdul Rahman” was to symbolize historic events and Tunku’s great contributions to the country as “Bapa Kemerdekaan” (Malaysia’s father of independence).

“I’m also pleased to announced that the Malaysian government has agreed to name this class of submarine as the Prime Minister’s class.

“This is in recognition of the late Tunku’s contribution in leading the country to independence. His courage, wisdom and foresight managed to steer our nation to what it is today,” he said.

Najib also thanked the French government and the French Navy for the support and cooperation in helping the Malaysian Armed Forces on its modernisation programme and sharing submarine technology.

“Malaysia and France have enjoyed a very long and good relationship. France was one of the first fifteen countries to recognize Malaysia after its independence.

“It is my sincere hope this cooperation will continue to be developed and further enhanced,” he added.

– BERNAMA

This is The Star’s report on the same subject:

Nation

Tuesday October 23, 2007
MYT 11:02:07 PM

Malaysia’s first submarine launched

By CHOI TUCK WO

CHERBOURG(France): Malaysia’s first Scorpene submarine was launched Tuesday, signifying yet another leap in the nation’s pursuit of new technology.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, named after the country’s first prime minister, was unveiled in a historic ceremony at the DCNS dockyard here, about 400km from Paris.

In keeping with maritime tradition, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor broke a bottle of water against the submarine’s sail to signify the official launching and naming of the vessel.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s wife then unveiled a plaque with the submarine’s name and called upon “Allah to bless her and all who serve and sail with her”.

Accompanying her were Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ramlan Mohamed Ali, DCNS chairman Jean-Marie Poimbeouf and Submarine Force Project Team head Laksamana Pertama Rosland Omar.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, French Defence Minister Herve Morin, Defence Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal and senior officials from both countries witnessed the ceremony.

Later, the VIPs toured the submarine, which is equipped with torpedoes, sub-surface to surface missiles and sea mines.

The vessel was one of two bought by Malaysia in 2002, with both being jointly constructed by DCNS of France and Navantia of Spain.

In his speech, Najib said the submarine was named after the Tunku in recognition of his contribution in leading the country to independence.

“His courage, wisdom and foresight had steered our nation to what it is today,” he added.

He said the submarine acquisition was part of the Malaysian Armed Forces’ modernisation programme, which could contribute significantly towards creating a more balanced capability.

As a maritime nation and given its geographical setting, it is inevitable that Malaysia’s national interests and security concerns are closely related and associated with the seas, he said.

He said commercially, more than 90% of the country’s domestic and international trades were dependent on sea transportation.

On the seabed lie underwater pipelines that transport Malaysia’s oil and gas ashore as well as cables that link major international communication networks.

“It is thus crucial for Malaysia to have a small but credible and effective naval force to not only safeguard its sovereignty and maritime interests but also contribute to the region’s maritime security and safety,” he added.

Najib said the project signified a major leap into high technology defence acquisition, providing the impetus for the local industry to acquire cutting-edge technological knowledge and expertise.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is set to sail home, manned by the country’s first submarine crew in January 2009 while the second vessel, to be named KD Tun Razak, is expected to be delivered by October 2009.

TLDM now has strategic weapon capabilities when this squadron will start to be operationalised by January 2009. The second submarine, named KD Tun Razak currently is being built in Navantia Izar shipyards in Cartagena, Spain and expected to be operationalised by early 2010, latest. The electronics, sensors and communications are being supplied by Armaris where else the state-of-the-art Blackshark torpedoes are supplied by French-Italian firm Whitehead Alenia. MBDA provide the submarine with underwater-launched SM 39 Exocets anti-shipping missiles.

The decision to acquire this strategic weapon was made in 1999 by then Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, with the strong backing of then Chief of Navy, Laksmana Tan Sri Abu Bakar Abdul Jamal, TLDM. The 950 million Euro package was signed between DCNi, Armaris and Perimekar Sdn. Bhd. and the Malaysian Government. LTAT CEO Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin represented Perimekar while the Chief Secretary of MINDEF Tan Sri Hashim Meon, represented the Malaysian Government at the signing ceremony which was held in Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur June 2002.

BigDogDotCom article translated into French

This blog produced a story about the naming of the first of two TLDM’s submarine squadron, a Perdana Menteri Class Scorpene SSK submarine, at Cherbourg, France today, last week. It will be officiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak while Chief of Navy Laksmana Tan Sri Ramlan Mohamed Ali, Malaysian Ambassador to France Dato’ Hamidah Yusof and Head of Submarine Project Team Laksmana Pertama Mohd. Rosland Omar bear witness.

The article was translated into French and published in the French Navy portal:

Cérémonie de baptême du premier Scorpène Malaisien

Le vice-premier ministre et ministre de la défense de Malaisie, Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak, présidera la cérémonie de baptême du premier sous-marin Malaisien en début de semaine prochaine à Cherbourg. Le premier sous-marin construit par DNCS sera baptisé KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, le premier Premier Ministre et père de l’indépendance de la Malaisie.

Sous-marin Scorpène

De la Marine Malaisienne

La cérémonie aura lieu à l’arsenal de Cherbourg. Le chef de la Marine Malaisienne, Laksmana Tan Sri Ramlan Mohamed Ali, assistera à cette cérémonie ainsi que de hauts responsables des forces armées dont l’attaché de défense à Paris. Laksmana Tan Sri Ramlan se trouve actuellement aux Etats-Unis assistant à un syposium sur les sous-marins.

Un mélange d’Air Yassin (eau sainte) et d’eau du puits de Zam-Zam à La Mecque (la ville la plus sainte de l’Islam) sera utilisé pour bénir lors du baptême du premier des 2 sous-marins de la première escadrille de sous-marin du pays, au lieu de la traditionnelle bouteille de champagne.

Ce premier sous-marin a été jonctionné (avec toutes les installations principales déjà installées) le 15 mars 2007. Il sera prochainement prêt pour des essais à la mer. La livraison de ce premier sous-marin de la classe Perdana Menteri à la marine Malaisienne est prévue en janvier 2009. Le deuxième, qui sera baptisé KD Tun Razak, a été jonctionné en juillet dernier. Il est actuellement en finition au chantier Navantia Izar de Carthagène et devrait être livré en 2010.

Tun Abdul Razak est le deuxième premier ministre et le père de Dato’ Seri Najib Razak.

Le sous-marin école Agosta

Actuellement, 140 officiers et marins sont formés à l’école de formation sous-marine d’élite de la Marine Nationale (NAVFCO) à Brest, en utilisant un sous-marin d’entraînement de la classe Agosta, le “Ouessant”. Les commandants désignés pour les 2 sous-marins, le Lt. Cdr. Zulhelmi et le Lt. Cdr. Baharuddin Md. Nor, sont les 2 sous-mariniers les plus expérimentés de la Marine Malaisienne.

Remarque :

Cette cérémonie devrait se dérouler en présence du ministre Français de la défense, Hervé Morin.

It is an honour for Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia) and BigDogDotCom indeed.

The naming of the first Scorpene submarine ceremony, next week

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak will grace the naming of the first submarine early next week, in Cherbourg, Normandy, France. The first DNCS built submarine will be named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, after the First Prime Minister and father of independent Malaysia.

Bernama.com has this story:

October 19, 2007 16:19 PM

Najib To Attend The Launch Of Malaysia’s First Submarine In France

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be attending the launch of Malaysia’s first Scorpene submarine in Cherbourg, France, on Tuesday. The launch is part of the official programme for his four-day visit to France beginning Monday, according to a Wisma Putra statement here. The 1.04 biilion Euro (about RM3.4 million) procurement of two Scorpene submarines was signed in June 2002 between Malaysia, a French shipbuilding, submarine and naval services company, Direction des Constructions Navales Services (DCNS), and Spanish shipbuilder Navantina. Najib, who is also Defence Minister, will also hold a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart, Herve Morin, the statement says. He will deliver a public lecture at Institute Francais des Relations and Internationals and meet author of the Blue Ocean Strategy, Prof W.Chan Kim of Institute Europeen d’Administration des Affaires (Insead). Najib is also expected to meet the Malaysian community in France. Wisma Putra said the visit will further strengthen and deepen the existing bilateral relations and cooperation between Malaysia and France. In another statement, Wisma Putra said Najib will also make a two-day visit to Russia on Oct 21-22 to receive Malaysian astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, whose Soyuz TMA-II spacecraft is scheduled to land on earth on Sunday. He is also scheduled to meet Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov on Monday. – BERNAMA

This ceremony will take place at the Arsenal, Cherbourg Dockyards, Cherbourg, Normandy, France. The Chief of Navy Laksmana Tan Sri Ramlan Mohamed Ali, TLDM, will attend this ceremony, along with senior TLDM officials which include the Defense Attache’ to the Malaysian Embassy in Paris. Laksmana Tan Sri Ramlan is currently in the United States attending a submarine symposium.

A mixture of Air Yassin (holy water) and water from Zam-Zam well, Mecca (Islam’s holiest city) would be used to grace at the naming of the first of two boats in the nation’s first submarine squadron, instead of the traditional practice of using champagne for sea going vessels.

Dato’ Seri Najib Razak will fly off to Paris from Moscow, after witnessing the safe return of Angkasawan Negara. This first submarine was completely joined (with all major components installed) on 15 March 2007, will complete its fitting out and ready for extensive sea trials soon. The delivery of this first Perdana Menteri Class submarine to TLDM is expected in January 2009. The second submarine, which will be named KD Tun Razak and completely joined in July 2007, is now being fitted out at the Navantia Izar docks in Cartagena, Spain and expected to be delivered to TLDM in 2010.

Tun Abdul Razak is the second Prime Minister and father of DPM Dato’ Seri Najib Razak.

At the moment, 140 odd officers and men are being extensively trained by the French Navy elite submarine traning school (NAVFCO) in Brest, Britanny, France using a dedicated Agosta Class training submarine, “Ouessant”. The designated COs for the two submarines, Lt. Cdr. Zulhelmi Isnin, TLDM and Lt. Cdr. Baharuddin Md. Nor, TLDM, are the two most experienced and highly dedicated submariners in TLDM today.

Human error caused the Nuri accident

Human error was the cause for the S 61 Nuri accident on 13 July 2007, which killed 6 crew last, which include Kept. Nur Intan Asykeen Mohd. Arof, TUDM, a 27 year old female pilot near Genting Sempah, border between Selangor and Pahang. The board of inquiry finding were revealed today by the Deputy Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Lt. Jen. Dato’ Bashir Abu Bakar, TUDM.

Photographs of the accident site were shown to media that clearly shown the utility helicopter were flying far too close to the jungle canopy and clipped some of the trees, thrice, before it went down. Tests on hydraulics fluid and other fluid samples taken from various apparatus of the aircraft proved that the machine was operating well and no signed of mechanical failure.

Therefore pilot error was concluded as the cause of the mishap in bad weather and low visibility. The aircraft was commandeered by Kept. Nor Azlan Termuzi, TUDM, 29.

Bernama.com has the story on this finding which was made public today in a media conference:

September 27, 2007 20:52 PM

Ill-Fated Nuri Copter Hit Canopy Of Trees Before Crash

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) — The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Nuri helicopter which crashed in Genting Sempah in July hit the canopy of trees thrice while flying low over the area before going down, according to the report on the investigation into the incident released today. Deputy Air Force Chief Lt Jen Datuk Bashir Abu Bakar said the investigation also found that bad weather, which had reduced visibility to less than two kilometres, and the hilly terrain in the area had also contributed to the mishap. “The primary factor for the helicopter crash was that it hit the canopy of trees before crashing during the attempt to get across the Genting Sempah area,” he said when disclosing the report here. The July 13 crash took the lives of the pilot, Capt Nor Azlan Termuzi, 29, co-pilot Capt Nor Intan Asykeen Moh Arof, 27, Flight Sergeant Khusnizaim Ariffin, 34, and Mohd Azmi Md Yassin, 35, Senior Airman Saifulizam Alias, 28, and Muhammad Ridzuan Ahmad, 27. The helicopter was flying from the RMAF airbase in Sungai Besi to Kuantan when the accident happened. Bashir said there was no evidence pointing to any technical fault in the helicopter, and that the investigation did not show up evidence of the engine and gearbox having caught fire. “The probe team conducted various tests and analyses on several important components, such as the engine and gearbox. Analyses were also done of oil samples, and hydraulic fluid and lubricants. “The analyses and engineering reports showed that there was nothing wrong in the samples and there was no evidence of any technical problem with the aircraft,” he said. He also said that two witnesses had seen the ill-fated helicopter flying low. “At 9.35am, an officer of the Orang Asli Affairs Department in Gombak saw the helicopter flying low in heavy mist. The other witness, an RMAF officer, saw the Nuri making a left turn at bearing 280 degrees,” he said. Bashir said the pilot of the helicopter had decided to continue flying despite being aware of the bad weather. He said the pilot should have checked on the weather and sought a safe altitude and not fly low in the heavy mist. “The pilot should have turned back in such weather and there should have been awareness. The RMAF has decided to provide situational-awareness training for pilots to enable them make (the right) decisions during flights and emergencies,” he said. The RMAF investigation panel was led by Lt Col Syed Islam Shahajam with Lt Col (Dr) Zuki Othman, Major Yee Ching Choy and Major Muhd Noorafzanidzam Frienney Salleh as the members. – BERNAMA

 

The board of inquiry was led by Lt. Kol. Syed Islam Sahajam, TUDM. The S 61 Nuri twin-engine utility helicopter had been in service with the RMAF since 1968 and was the trusted vehicle and mainstay of logistics and aerial operations when the Army was fighting against the communist terrorists in the interiors of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

 

Suspek kes pembunuhan kejam ditahan Polis

Seorang lelaki berumur 41 tahun, yang pada masa ini menjadi suspek dalam pembunuhan kejam berprofil tinggi kanak kanak 10 tahun Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, ditahan Polis ditengah tengah bandaraya Kuala Lumpur tadi.

Utusan Malaysia melaporkan:

Terkini

Kes bunuh Nurin: Lelaki 41 tahun disyaki terlibat ditahan

KUALA LUMPUR 26 Sept. - Polis menahan seorang lelaki berusia 41 tahun yang disyaki terlibat dalam pembunuhan dan penderaan seksual terhadap Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, 8, di Lebuh Ampang di sini hari ini.

Suspek itu, yang bekerja sebagai “orang tengah” di sebuah agensi pelancongan di bandar raya telah diajak oleh seorang rakannya ke sebuah kedai kopi di mana sepasukan polis menunggu untuk menahan lelaki itu.

Sumber polis berkata, serbuan itu dibuat selepas rakan suspek memberitahu polis bahawa suspek mungkin mempunyai kaitan dengan pembunuhan kejam Nurin.

Rakan suspek itu juga memberitahu polis bahawa lelaki yang disyaki itu mungkin terlibat dengan kes pencabulan dua kanak-kanak yang dilaporkan di Kampung Baru dengan menggunakan terung.

Difahamkan sebelum penahanan itu, rakan suspek telah meyakinkan suspek bahawa beliau mempunyai satu rancangan perniagaan yang perlu dibincangkan di kedai kopi itu.

Kira-kira pukul 2 petang, suspek tiba di kedai kopi itu dengan rakannya telah sedia menunggu.

Menurut rakan suspek, mereka pada mulanya membincangkan tentang usaha sama perniagaan sebelum menukar topik kepada perkara-perkara peribadi.

“Pada masa ini, saya menghantar SMS kepada sepasukan anggota polis berpakaian biasa yang menunggu di luar kedai kopi itu untuk bertindak.

“Lelaki berkenaan kemudiannya meminta saya menemui rakan perniagaannya dan mula berjalan ke arah sebuah bangunan yang terletak di seberang jalan.

“Pada saat inilah, saya menghubungi polis,” katanya di sini hari ini.

Ketua Polis Selangor, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar berkata, masih terlalu awal untuk polis mengulas mengenai penahanan suspek.

Difahamkan suspek itu dibawa ke Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Petaling Jaya untuk siasatan lanjut.

Pada 20 Ogos, Nurin Jazlin dilaporkan hilang oleh bapanya Jazimin Abdul Jalil, selepas keluar seorang diri untuk ke pasar malam berhampiran rumahnya di Seksyen 1 Wangsa Maju, di sini.

Di sebalik liputan meluas media dan usaha besar-besaran mencarinya, Nurin Jazlin tidak dapat dikesan.

Pada 17 September, mayat seorang kanak-kanak perempuan ditemui dalam sebuah beg sukan yang diletakkan di hadapan tangga sebuah rumah kedai di PJS 1/48, Petaling Jaya.

Hasil ujian DNA mendapati mayat itu adalah Nurin Jazlin dan bedah siasat mendapati mangsa juga didera secara seksual.

Suspek berkenaan, yang memakai baju kemeja lengan panjang berwarna biru dan berseluar hitam, membawa sebuah beg untuk bertemu dengan rakannya di kedai kopi itu.

Difahamkan lelaki itu yang berasal dari Segamat, telah bertunang dengan seorang penyambut tetamu di sebuah hotel di sini. - Bernama

Mesra, Cepat dan Betul, again

There had been too much bad publicity and negativities about the Royal Malaysian Police aka Police Force, lately. The truth is that, some people find it is a grotesque that we question the blanket of security the Police Force had provided us all these years and the manner how it had been provided.

First it was the “nude-ear-squat-in-the lockup” case. Then the incomplete/incompetence case/investigations of certain high profile murder cases; ‘The Norita Shamsuddin murder’, ‘The Ipoh’s ex-mayor’s son’ etc., arrest of two policemen and now on trial for the high profile murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaaribuu, all the expose’ made by Raja Petra and published in Malaysia Today, the claims about crime in places like Johor Bahru is on the rise and latest, the former IGP Tun Mohamed Hanif Omar’s article, et al.

Could we have progressed, this far as a society and endure the everyday life normal economic activities, which propelled Malaysia into a major global trading nation had the Police Force completely failed in the duties, all these years?

The formative half of post-WW II Malaya (then Malaysia), the country had been bogged with acute security issues like ‘The Emergency’ and later, ‘Confrontation’. The Police Force was a major and integral part of these trying and challenging moments in our colourful history. Maybe Malaysians conveniently forgotten tragedies such as the attack on the Bukit Kepong Police Station (23 February 1950), the assassinations of then the Perak CPO Tan Sri C T Khoo and IGP, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Hashim (on 7 June 1974), the Japanese Red Army hostage crisis, August 1975 and the attack on the Batu Pahat Police Station by deviationists, Jaafar Fathullah in 1981.

Then there was the success of negotiating the Malayan Communist Party surrender and end of armed struggle in a peace treaty signed in Haadyaii, Thailand 2 December 1989, by then the Director of Special Branch, Dato’ Abdul Rahim Mohd. Nor. After an illustrious career in the Police Force, Tan Sri Rahim resigned in disgrace after punching former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the Bukit Aman lock-up, after a day of stressful anti-Reformasi engagement, during the height of the 16th Commonwealth Games.

Of course how could anyone forgotten the night notorious criminal Bentong Kali was gunned down by Police Special Forces in an operation conducted by Serious Crime Division, Bukit Aman at a terrace house in Damansara Heights, 1993.

Then everyone should not forget how Chief Inspector Abdul Razak Yusof negotiated and persuaded Mohd. Amin Mohd. Razali and his Al Maunah millitant group to surrender, at the Sauk incidence, 6 July 2000.

For a force of 90,000 men and women, to provide the heavy burden of primary security for the 26 million highly complex multiethnic, multifaith and multicultural Malaysians inhibiting an area 330,000 sq km in two land mass separated by a large body of water, over 4,800 km of coastline and a domestic economy over RM 1,050 billion (PPP) per annum, the Police Force had already been grossly overworked, under staffed, under equipped and overtly scrutinised, on top of the extra burden the Malaysian public placed on them for the pettiest and sundry issues.

On top of that, some quarters chose to antagonise, provoke and test the Police Force, especially their professionalism in handling very volatile and high tension incidence, such the chaos purposely created at the recent Terengganu riots.

However, most of the time, the Police have been known to carefully discharge their firearms, especially when duty calls. This was demonstrated in the foiled armed robbery outside a bank very near to where I lived. As per featured by NST today:

2007/09/12

High drama as police foil robbery bid

By : Fay Angela D’cruz

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Plainclothes policemen with the two suspects outside the Public Bank branch in Uptown, Damansara, yesterday. The suspects were in a stolen Proton Perdana when they were confronted by the police. — Pictures courtesy of NST reader Chow Yin Hon

PETALING JAYA: They were waiting for their next victim, but alert policemen outside a bank foiled their plan and in the process busted a gang high on the wanted list.

Police leading one of the suspects away while another suspect can be seen in the background bleeding at the leg.

But it took more than 10 shots and a desperate escape attempt before two members of the “Bankers Gang” were nabbed yesterday in Uptown, Damansara.

The two robbers were in a stolen Proton Perdana outside the Public Bank about 3.30pm when plainclothes policemen confronted them.

The two suspects sensing their game was up tried to escape by ramming into the police team who opened fire on the vehicle.

The robbers crashed into a divider and were pounced on when they tried to escape on foot. One suspect was shot in the leg. He was sent to the University Malaya Medical Centre for treatment.

Selangor deputy CID chief (intelligence and operations) ACP Chee Cheng Wan said they believe the robbers, a foreigner and a local, had two accomplices waiting nearby.

“They escaped when they saw their gang members being chased by police.”

Chee said the gang had been operating for over a month and had committed at least 10 robberies.

“We believe they have amassed at least RM500,000 from the robberies,” he said.

“Their victims were those who had made withdrawals at banks. They would usually smash the victim’s car window before robbing them.”

The dependence of the Malaysian public on the Police Force is undoubtably very significant. They may not be ‘Mesra, Cepat dan Betul’ all the time but so far, they have done exactly that for most of us, most of the time and especially when it matters most.

Crimes committed gets more complicated as criminals are more sophisticated in their methods. They deploy highly sophisticated communication equipments and processes, to elude the authorities.

The society themselves support organised criminal activities such as vices created from illegal gambling, prostitution, business extortions, illegal money lending (Ah Longs), designer drugs manufacturing, software and IP piracy and eventually, money laundering. The fast expansion of these crimes are the mainstay that smaller crimes thrived upon and the rakyat in our own societies support and play a very big role in these vices growth and expansion.

So now we blame the authorities, especially the Police Force for these vices and crimes growth? Aren’t the rakyat and society themselves a factor of these immoral acts?

Shifting the burden and responsibility to other people, though convenient, it is not the right thing to do. Its time the Malaysian public should do more to make the place we live, earn a living, raise a family and retire a much better place by contributing and make the burden of providing security for us, much easier and lesser for the Polis DiRaja Malaysia, even though they promised with an oath of ‘Sedia Berkhidmat‘.

Sukhoi SU 30 MKMs handed over

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Najib Tun Razak received the log books for the six Sukhoi SU 30MKMs earlier this afternoon, marked the operations of the multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) in the Royal Malaysian Airforce (RMAF).

The log books were handed over to him by Victor Komardin, the deputy director of Rosboroexport, the Irkutz based manufacturers of the superior MRCA. He later handed over the log books to RMAF Chief Jen. Tan Sri Azizan Arifin. This ceremony took place in TUDM Subang.

The will be based in TUDM Gong Kedak, a specially built air force base in the border of Kelantan-Terengganu. It is part of 18 MRCAs ordered in a USD 900 million deal signed in April 2003. The acquisition is part of a RMAF modernization program for frontline MRCAs for the defense of realm. At the moment, four pilots and two weapon system officers are being trained intensively in Russia. The next four pilots would be trained by the Indian Air Force.

Today marked a milestone in the RMAF history.

PM’s aircraft is now in Malaysia

The elusive A319CJ VVIP Jet which Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad (PMB) purchased, delivered by Airbus December last year and sent to Basel, Switzerland for outfitting is now a Malaysian registered aircraft. It now uses the pennant no. 9M-NAA. It was first featured as a scoop in Berita MyKMU.net on 25 January 2007. Again, featured in this blog as “The plane, the plane” on 17 February 2007, the day this blog started.

Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi denied the aircraft was bought by the Government after the story hit sensation amongst Malaysians. Later, he explained PMB had bought the RM 200 million jet and not the Government.

However, something peculiar about the aircraft. The aircraft is donned in TUDM colours, exactly the same used by other VIP jets operated by No. 2 Squadron “Bayan”, based in TUDM Subang but it is not using the ‘M’ registration like the other TUDM aircrafts. Another peculiarity is that the aircraft will be operated, maintained and managed by a third party company. Brothers, a former B777 fleet manager with Malaysia Airlines and a former maintenance engineer with No. 2 Sqdn have formed a company to do the task.

Why the A319CJ VIP jet is being treated this way, no one is really clear. Why the aircraft is not operated, maintained and managed by Malaysia Airlines, the primary Government Link Company in aviation is also not so clear. When Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli managed Malaysia Airlines in the 90s, he ordered a BBJ at LIMA ‘97, which was delivered in 2000 and operated by MAS Star, a subsidiary under Malaysia Airlines which provided charter VVIP jet. The Government chartered the use of this jet for the first time when DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuang Agong went to Sydney for the 2000 summer olympics game.

*Note. The photo shows the A319CJ in German registered number, before it was outfitted in Switzerland.

*An update. This is the photo of the A319CJ in the new colour scheme, with the 9M NAA number.

Remembering Hiroshima

At 8.15am today, marks the commemoration of the “Little Boy” atomic bomb being dropped at the City of Hiroshima, Japan, 62 years ago. US Army Air Corp strategic bomber Col. Paul Tibbets of the 509th Operations Group flew the B-29 Superfotress strategic bomber named “Enola Gay” and unleashed an unforgiving devastation and ravaging fury on to an innocent civilian population which destroyed the city completely, left 70,000 dead instantly and same number slowly died and suffered from injury of radiation sickness and burns.

The weapon was brought to the group’s operations in West Pacific island of Tinian from San Francisco by the US Navy heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis which left Pearl Harbour on 19 July 1945 and arrived Tinian Island a week later.

Three days after Hiroshima, a similar bomb called “Fat Man” was dropped by another crew and B29 “Bockscar”, at the City of Nagasaki, with similar barbaric results. This led to the Japanese Imperial Forces unconditional surrender, announced on 15 August 1945. The World War II finally came to an end.

These weapons were developed by the United Sates of America under the “Manhattan Project“. President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorised research and development of these first atomic bombs in 1942 and placed under the responsibility of Gen. Leslie R. Groves and renowned theorists physics professor from University of California, Berkeley, J. Robert Oppenheimer at the secret laboratories in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The successful first nuclear device, called “Gadget,” was detonated during the “Trinity” test near Alamogordo, New Mexico on July 16, 1945. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs were the second and third to be detonated and as of 2007 the only ones ever detonated in a military action. (See Weapons of Mass Destruction.)

The argument for deploying such a horrible weapon was minimalise the cost of lives and machinery to wage a war against Japan upon the landings of Allied Forces in mainland Japan. Germany already surrendered on 7 May 1945 ending the World War II in the European Theatre. Therefore, the pressure is compounding to end the war in Pacific, which variably much more complicated as they are now fighting Japanese in their own soil. This is regarded as the most devastating millitary action based on the momentous political decision. President Harry S. Truman okayed the deployment of the atomic bomb on the civilian target in Japan.

After the war ended, Soviet Union managed to get access to these atomic weapons. The development and practical demonstration brought upon by these barbaric bombings led to a race of building nuclear arsenal between the US and Soviet Union. The fear of global destruction for these weapons still loom within too many societies in the modern world today.

This act of barbarism and horrible tragedy is remembered annually by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and they vowed the unimaginable devastation against those hundreds of thousands innocent lives should not repeat again, ever. At the Perdana Global Peace Forum III organised in PWTC, Kuala Lumpur 5-7 February 2007, Perdana Leadership Foundation President Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad declared the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings are atrocities committed against mankind.

Despite the devastation seen from the deployment if these two weapons of mass destruction, many armed forces in the world today still have nuclear weapons in their arsenal and more countries are developing them, which include India, Pakistan and Israel.