VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Ahead of the latest airstrikes, the Israeli army ordered the immediate evacuation of residents of four buildings in three neighborhoods in Beirut's southern suburbs, Tuesday (Photo by:Oct. 22, 2020) / ANTARA/Anadolu/py

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' working visit to the CNGR industrial park in Ningxiang, China, over the weekend.Photo by: ANTARA/Xinhua

Personnel from the Pacific port visit task force raise the flags of Indonesia and the Solomon Islands as the KRI Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991 docks in the Solomon Islands on Friday (October 25, 2024). (ANTARA/HO-TNI AL Fleet III Command Information Service)

VOI News, Jakarta: Indonesian naval warship KRI Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo (WSH)-991, a part of the 2024 Pacific port visit task force, arrived in the Solomon Islands on Friday.

The ship is on a goodwill mission in the Solomon Islands, the first stop in its South Pacific tour.

As quoted by Antara News Agency (25/10) Head of the information service of the Indonesian Navy's Fleet Command III, Lieutenant Colonel (S) Ajik Sismianto, informed that the mission will involve delivering medical aid packages, providing free health services, conducting blood donation drives on board the ship, and hosting an open house for the Solomon Islands community.

"We hope this activity runs smoothly and successfully, setting a positive precedent for future missions and fostering strong relations between our two countries," Navy Colonel (P) Arif Prasetyo Irbianto, commander of the Pacific port visit task force, conveyed in a statement.

KRI WSH-991, a hospital ship from Fleet Command III (Koarmada III), traveled 1,909 miles from Sorong, Southwest Papua, to reach Solomon. The journey took eight days.

At Honiara Pier, Navy Colonel (P) Edi Herdiana, the commander of KRI Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991, invited Indonesian citizens in the Solomon Islands and local residents on board.

Colonel Herdiana led a tour of the ship's facilities, which include a Type C hospital.

Indonesian Navy personnel and students from Papua, who are participating in the goodwill mission, are scheduled to visit historical sites in Solomon, such as the Vilu Military World War II museum, during their stay.

During the voyage from Sorong to Solomon, Indonesian Navy personnel received training in various areas, including basic first aid, surface danger combat roles, unit development competitions, operational law, and rules of engagement for overseas missions.

In addition to Solomon, KRI WSH-991's mission includes visits to Fiji, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea.

The ship will provide social services, renovate places of worship, offer free health services, and distribute medical aid packages in each country it visits.

KRI WSH-991 will also host receptions on the ship's deck, featuring traditional Indonesian dances and cuisine. (Antara)

VOInews, Jakarta: The Head of the Indonesian Army’s Corps of Engineers (Kapusziad), Major General Budi Hariswanto, has proposed the creation of a nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) control center to bolster the nation’s defense against modern biological warfare. This recommendation was made during a focused group discussion (FGD) held on October 22, 2024, under the theme "Building National Biological Defense Autonomy to Anticipate Modern Biological Warfare."

“The establishment of an NBC control center is crucial to ensure that the TNI can effectively utilize biological materials and chemical weapons to safeguard the nation from the threats of modern warfare,” Budi stated in an official press release issued by the TNI on Wednesday (October 23, 2024).

In addition to the formation of the NBC control center, Budi underscored the importance of creating specialized NBC units within each branch of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and enhancing the NBC unit within the Army Corps of Engineers. He stressed that this effort is vital in addressing the escalating threat of chemical and biological warfare in the modern era.

“This control center will also play a pivotal role in countering chemical and biological weapon threats that could endanger the nation’s sovereignty. We must be prepared to face these challenges,” Budi emphasized.

Budi elaborated on the nature of modern biological warfare, which involves various critical elements, including the types of attacks, targets, characteristics of biological materials, and the required responses and impact mitigation. “Modern biological warfare encompasses hybrid warfare, targeting humans and other living organisms. The biological agents used have the potential to evolve or mutate, which demands swift and proactive anticipation,” he explained.

Beyond prevention, Budi highlighted the necessity for the TNI to have advanced research facilities to support the study and development of biological materials. “There must be a program to develop laboratories and strengthen technological research, supported by national and international collaborations,” he added.

Budi further recommended strengthening national regulations to address biological threats. "The TNI recommends the establishment of a biological weapons task force, the harmonization of regulations regarding the possession and storage of high-risk biological materials, and the creation of supervisory bodies to ensure the quality and safety of biological facilities," he noted.

He expressed hope that these recommendations would be seriously considered by the government to reinforce national defense capabilities, particularly in the realm of biological material usage. “With these measures, we can ensure that the nation’s sovereignty is protected against the increasingly complex threats posed by biological warfare,” Budi concluded.

Source: Antara