| Siti Hajar |
THE day was still and the heat was unforgiving. But in the silence, time travelled at warp speed across Brunei Bay as dozens of multi-national military personnel raced through timid waters to save the lives of hostages held captive at sea.
Over a course of what may seem like 10 long minutes, the crew on board the KDB Darussalam endured assaults by armed gunmen seeking the release of their people.
In the glaring sun, minutes after deployment, fast boats and Blackhawks quickly descended on the captured vessel where insurgents fought in a frenzy only to meet with failure.
A short distance away from the viewing platform of the KDB Daruttaqwa, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, witnessed what was the culmination of days of preparations leading up to the highly anticipated scenario which was part of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism Exercise that is set to conclude on May 10 in Singapore.
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A scene during the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism Exercise. – PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Specialised personnel from 11 ADMM-Plus participating countries coordinated seamlessly to regain control of the ship’s bridge.
The personnel will once again be given the opportunity to refine their skills en route to Brunei’s ADMM-Plus exercise co-host Singapore.
The formidable 3,000-strong fleet with 17 navy ships and 11 helicopters will trek their way across the vast ocean today bidding farewell to the Abode of Peace to continue securing the region’s waters amid the rise of emerging threats.
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