Antara News, Tuesday, July 27, 2010 10:30 WIB
Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - The Singapore Navy is ready to support the Bhakti Surya Bhaskara Jaya (SBJ) operations during the international yacht event of Sail Banda 2010, a Singapore Navy commandant said.
"We are ready to support the SBJ activities with a number of medical and construction skilled personnel to rehabilitate schools and worship houses," Commandant of Singapore ship RSS Endeavor-210, Kenny Chen, said.
Kenny Chen met with Ambon`s Naval Base IX deputy commandant Col Eddy Sugiatmo and a number of the Naval Base officers here on Monday. The meeting took place aboard the RSS Endeavour when the Singapore ship berthed at Ambon`s Yos Sudarso pier.
Kenny Chen said he was happy with the opportunity to visit Ambon and other regions in Indonesia to carry out a humanitarian mission in the health field together with other medical teams of the US biggest hospital ship USNS Mercy T-AH 19. USNS Mercy has dropped anchor in Ambon Bay since Monday morning.
Apart from RSS Endeavor and USNS Mercy, Australia also sent two ships of the Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) type from its navy fleet, namely HMAS Labuan and HMAS Tarakan to take part in the humanitarian mission.
Eddy Sugiatmo expressed his thanks for the presence of the medial teams and naval ships of the neighboring countries which came to Ambon to support the SBJ activities held here until August 4, 2010.
"The SBJ operation is one of the Indonesian government and the National Defense Forces (TNI) programs organized to improve the welfare and health of the local people, particularly those living on small islands" he said.
