2nd Successful Completion of on-ground Acts of Aggression Simulation Exercise in Collaboration With Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) at Sandakan Airport
SANDAKAN- Malaysia Airports remains committed in ensuring the highest level of security and safety at its airports after successfully completing the on-ground acts of aggression simulation exercise that was held in collaboration with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) at Sandakan Airport today. The second terminal of KL International Airport (KLIA), klia2 also completed a similar exercise early last week. These exercises were part of the annual scheduled full-scale simulations to ensure readiness in the event of threats, accidents and natural disasters.
More than 200 participants from the various agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Armed Forces (RMAF), Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Department of Information (JaPen), Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (FRDM) in particular HAZMAT and CBRNE, National Security Council (NSC), Malaysia Civil Defense Department (MCDD) and Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) took part in the Sandakan exercise alongside with ESSCOM personnel as well as airline and airport staff.
This latest 3-hour exercise specifically focused on simulating measures and actions taken to counter possible terrorist acts that may occur at the airport. It was the culmination of a three-day session which started on 12 December 2017 with a workshop followed by a tabletop exercise.
According to managing director of Malaysia Airports, Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, the exercise was part of Malaysia Airports commitment in ensuring the safety and security of its airport users. “There have been several incidents involving acts of aggression in East Malaysia during the past few years. Hence, as an airport operator, we remain vigilant in playing our role to safeguard national security and also the wellbeing of our passengers. It is imperative for us to practice and manage aspects of airport operations as best as possible in facing crisis situations such as this,” he added further.
The three-day session consisted of a series of briefing sessions during the first two days, one of which was by MKN to reiterate the importance of ensuring all measures are guided by the guidelines, policies and mechanism outlined in MKN 18, MKN 20 and MKN 21. There were also sessions on the current national threats, airport emergency plan (AEP), risk management and business continuity plan, airlines emergency response plan, emergency plan by the air traffic controller, media management in crisis, as well as chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) incident-handling. The third day was when all related personnel convened for a tabletop exercise to align various Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
The final day saw all participants starting the day off as early as 8 am and gathering at Sandakan Airport to engage in the full-scale exercise with the re-enaction of a terrorist attack. The exercise ended with a debriefing session with all participants.