LABUAN – In view of the possible safety threats at the airport, Malaysia Airports, in collaboration with the National Security Council, Royal Malaysian Police and Royal Malaysian Airforce successfully conducted its second Act of Aggression On-Ground full scale exercise at Labuan Airport (LBU) earlier today after 2 months of careful planning. Before Labuan Airport, Kuching International Airport (KCH) carried out a similar exercise which complies to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM) for an airport to conduct a full-scale emergency exercise once in every two years.
According to the acting group chief executive officer of Malaysia Airports, Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin, “This exercise is important to ensure all agencies are aware and well trained in carrying their roles in case of an Act of Aggression On-Ground attempt at the airport. This is to minimize anxiety and unnecessary panic among passengers and the airport community. Hence, we would like to thank all participating agencies and hope that the exercise will equip them with the skills and knowledge to handle crises.”
The Act of Aggression exercise aims to test and evaluate the effectiveness of the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP) at the airports operated by Malaysia Airports. AEP is a documentation that encompasses contingency plans to achieve the coordinated actions through the defined guidelines of the general functions and responsibilities of the operational units at the airport, government agencies and airlines in the event of an airport emergency. It is also to ensure that the airports are always well prepared to face any incidents within its compound. The coordination and communication between the agencies involved is also tested and evaluated for further improvement.
The purpose of the AEP is in accordance with the provisions stated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 17 Chapter 5 that states the management of response to acts of unlawful interference; and Annex 14 Chapter 9.1, where States are required to establish an emergency plan to commensurate with aircraft operations at the airport alongside with Airport Standards Directives 701.
More than 250 participants from various agencies such as the National Security Council (MKN), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Royal Malaysia Airforce (TUDM), Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM), Department of Information (JaPen), Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) in particular HAZMAT and CBRNe, Civil Defence Department (JPAM), Chief Government Security Office (CGSO) and Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) took part in the exercise at Labuan Airport alongside the airline and airport staff. The exercise commenced for 5 hours before it ended at 1.30pm.