MIRI – More than 20 rescue and enforcement agencies took part in the 2025 Annual Tabletop Air Disaster Charity Exercise (TTX), held for the first time outside Miri Airport, to assess readiness and coordination in handling aviation-related emergencies.
The exercise, organised by the Miri Division Resident Office together with Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd (MAB) Miri, in collaboration with the Airport Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) and the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (BSKU), was officiated by Miri Division Resident Galong Luang on Tuesday at the Sarawak Islamic Complex.
In his address, Galong underlined that such exercises are crucial in testing preparedness, cross-agency communication and coordinated responses in the event of air accidents.
“In the event of an emergency, we cannot act alone. Each agency must rely on one another to maximise available energy, assets and resources. Only with good cooperation can our actions be fast, accurate and effective,” he said.
He further stressed that training exercises should not be limited to Miri but extended to other airports in Sarawak, including Lawas, Bario, Long Banga and Marudi, to ensure consistent disaster readiness across the state.
The charity exercise also reinforced adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Directive 20 of the National Security Council (MKN), which govern disaster management nationwide.
Galong also cited the February landslide incident, which displaced over 1,000 residents, as a reminder of the importance of resource management, accurate communication and inter-agency cooperation to prevent misinformation and confusion during crises.
With Miri Airport undergoing upgrades to accommodate a larger passenger capacity, the need for a heightened state of preparedness was emphasised as critical for safeguarding public safety in the years ahead.