Three states to join naval operations

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Singapore and Japan will take part in naval civic operations in South Sumatra, Palembang Navy Chief Commodore Nuranto was quoted by Antara as saying here Saturday.

The operations will be launched by Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Arief Kushariadi here tomorrow and in the presence of his Singaporean counterpart, Nuranto said.

The naval base will also invite warships that have been operating in the Natuna waters and Bangka Strait to join the ceremony.

The operations will be centered in Bangka and Belitung islands for 30 days and involve a total 776 personnel, including 550 Indonesian and 100 Singaporean naval personnel.

The remaining 126 are not from the navy, but students from various universities, doctors from the Dharmais foundation, and four Japanese ear, nose and throat specialists.

The civic operations will include construction of public facilities, such as bridges, road and harbor, supplying the public with nine basic needs, providing medical services such as cataract surgery and dental examination.

The warships KRI Teluk Banten and KRI Teluk Peleng, will be deployed to transport medical supplies and a helicopter, Nuranto said.