Latest news with #Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-SingaporeNuclearSecurityDetectionExercise
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Senior cops among five injured in police copter crash
JOHOR BARU: Two senior police officers are among five people injured when a police helicopter crashed into Sungai Pulai during a mock nuclear training exercise here. The officers with the rank of Assistant Commissioner and Superintendent, along with three other personnel, were sent to Hospital Sultanah Aminah shortly after the 10.25am incident yesterday. A security official said the Eurocopter AS3555 Ecureuil known as 'Squirrel' crashed about 21m from the jetty while performing a mock exercise, which was attended by personnel from Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. The five were rescued within minutes of the crash as there were many naval boats stationed in the area for the exercise. 'It can be considered a miracle that they were rescued promptly before the wreckage submerged,' the official said, adding that a detailed investigation was being carried out to determine the cause of the crash. The victims comprise three men and two women. Following the crash, the exercise was put on hold and the area was cordoned off. Accidental plunge: debris from the copter crash seen at Sungai Pulaiin Gelang Patah, Johor. — Bernama The helicopter was part of the Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore Nuclear Security Detection Exercise (Mitsatom) held in Johor. The training exercise is to simulate a coordinated response to the cross-border smuggling of radioactive and nuclear materials. The exercise marks the fourth Mitsatom exercise hosted by Malaysia following the last session in Sabah in 2018. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the incident occurred soon after the helicopter took off from the Tanjung Kupang police station at 9.51am. He said the helicopter was transporting five people comprising two senior officers and three others, including the pilot from the police air wing and a policeman from the station. 'The Air Accident Investigation Bureau under the Transport Ministry will carry out further investigations, in line with Part XXVI of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016,' he said in a statement. Mohd Khalid also expressed his gratitude to all the agencies involved for their effort in coordinating and carrying out the rescue operation. (Below) Police personnel rushing to rescue thevictims of the copter crash. — Bernama He urged the public not to make any speculation or to share videos of the incident, which could hamper investigations. Since last year, there have been at least three other major incidents involving helicopters. In February this year, a Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger helicopter caught fire while landing at Jalan Lama Kuala Lumpur-Bentong, Pahang, resulting in the death of one individual and the rescue of another. Last June, three army officers were injured after an M81-11 (Agusta A109 LOH) military helicopter made an emergency landing during a night air exercise in Kluang, Johor. In April last year, 10 crew members were killed when two helicopters collided during training at the naval base in Lumut, Perak.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia leads ASEAN radioactive smuggling drill in Johor Bahru
JOHOR BAHRU: Malaysia is set to lead a multinational field training exercise this week, simulating responses to radioactive and nuclear material smuggling across ASEAN borders. The Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore Nuclear Security Detection Exercise (MITSATOM) 2025 will take place at Jeti Maritim in Gelang Patah, marking Malaysia's fourth hosting of the event. Deputy director-general of the Department of Atomic Energy Malaysia (Atom Malaysia) Monalija Kostor stated that the drill aims to strengthen regional coordination in detecting and intercepting illicit radioactive materials. 'After a seven-year gap, we are resuming the exercise with coverage of both land and sea borders, allowing a more comprehensive approach to preventing radioactive material smuggling,' she said during the launch. The exercise, held under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, involves simulated smuggling scenarios with four types of radioactive materials. Authorities will test detection equipment, communication systems, and emergency response protocols. Monalija emphasised the importance of regulatory oversight, warning that uncontrolled radioactive materials could pose terrorism and national security risks. A tabletop exercise will also assess regional preparedness for radiological incidents. The event includes participation from Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore, reinforcing ASEAN's commitment to nuclear security. – Bernama
Barnama
6 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia Conducts Cross-border Radioactive Smuggling Exercise With ASEAN Neighbours
JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 (Bernama) – Malaysia will conduct a field training exercise this Thursday with Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore to simulate a coordinated response to the cross-border smuggling of radioactive and nuclear materials. The drill, part of the Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore Nuclear Security Detection Exercise (MITSATOM) 2025, will take place at Jeti Maritim in Gelang Patah. It marks the fourth MITSATOM exercise hosted by Malaysia following the last session in Sabah in 2018. Deputy director-general of the Department of Atomic Energy Malaysia (Atom Malaysia) Monalija Kostor said the exercise aims to test ASEAN countries' ability to detect and respond to nuclear incidents involving the Malaysia-Thailand and Malaysia-Singapore land borders, as well as the maritime border with Indonesia. "After a seven-year gap, we are resuming the exercise with coverage of both land and sea borders, allowing a more comprehensive approach to preventing radioactive material smuggling," she said at a press conference following the official launch of MITSATOM 2025 here today. Also present were Atom Malaysia director-general Noraishah Pungut and Johor State Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin. Held in conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the exercise is led by Atom Malaysia in its role as Chair of the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM), under the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC). Monalija said the scenario involves the simulated smuggling of four types of radioactive materials, all of which will be intercepted and returned to the control of authorities. "These radioactive materials must be brought back under regulatory oversight to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Misuse could pose serious threats, including terrorism and national security risks,' she said. She added that the drill will also test detection equipment, communication systems, operational procedures and personnel readiness in real-world scenarios.
Barnama
6 days ago
- Barnama
15 Radioactive Smuggling Cases Detected Annually
JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 (Bernama) -- The Department of Atomic Energy Malaysia (Atom Malaysia) records an average of 15 radioactive smuggling attempts each year, with most incidents detected at Port Klang. Its deputy director-general Monalija Kostor said these cases typically involve radioactive materials such as Cobalt-60 and Cesium-137, which are detected through Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) installed at the country's land and sea border checkpoints. She said smugglers often attempt to conceal the materials by falsely declaring them as harmless goods. 'Many of these cases are recorded at Port Klang, a major import and export hub. Several containers were found carrying radioactive substances, though they were declared as items like dairy products, toys, or textiles,' she told a press conference following the opening ceremony of the Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore Nuclear Security Detection Exercise (MITSATOM) 2025, held here today. Monalija said when radioactive materials are smuggled into Malaysia, they are returned to their country of origin, adding that if they are being smuggled out, the government seizes the materials and refers the case to court. 'The court will decide whether the items are to be forfeited. In such cases, the government either takes possession of the materials for proper management or returns them to the owner after a fine is imposed,' she said. She stressed that such offences are serious, as radioactive materials pose significant risks to public safety and national security. These materials are commonly used in industries such as oil and gas, plastics, and electronics. According to Monalija, illegal smuggling is often driven by attempts to avoid regulatory costs or due to ignorance of legal requirements. 'Often, smuggling is done to cut costs or simply because they are unaware that radioactive materials are strictly regulated in Malaysia. Regardless, we will not tolerate such violations,' she said.
