RI raises green flight status to yellow over terror threat
Wednesday, 25 November 2015, 17:51 WIB
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REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TANGERANG -- The Ministry of Transportation has issued a yellow status for all flights across the country due to a recent terror threat.
Nasir Usman, the director for flight safety of the Directorate General of Air Transportation, stated here on Wednesday that the yellow status was issued in a letter on Tuesday by the Directorate General of Air Transportation and the copies of which were forwarded to all airport operators in the country.
In the letter, all airports have been urged to intensify security measures and conduct a thorough examination of all passengers and their luggage. The airports have also been urged to increase vigilance against possible movements or smuggling activities in airport areas that could be categorized as terror acts.
"All airports must increase security measures and re-examine the identities of all passengers and their luggage," he noted at function in Curug, Tangerang.
He explained that the flight status was raised from green to yellow after Indonesia was found to be one of the terrorism targets after the recent terror attack on Paris, France.
If later a terror act were to take place in one of the Indonesian airports, the government would increase the yellow status level to red.
The yellow status will be lifted if all related sides declare the flights to be safe and secure for the passengers.
Nasir affirmed that there was no deadline until when this status would be lifted as security at the airports was a major concern, and the situation should be handled by establishing coordination among all parties.
"We continue to communicate with the intelligence, police, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), and all other sides. We want to ensure that flights in the country are secured," Nasir emphasized.
RI raises green flight status to yellow over terror threat | Republika Online
Australia calls for greater intel sharing in Southeast Asian countries to stop Paris-style attack
Wednesday, 25 November 2015, 13:02 WIB
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REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SYDNEY -- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday called for greater intelligence sharing in Southeast Asia to stop a Paris-style terror attack and orderedlocal law enforcement officials to test their readiness to handle a mass casualty attack.
Citing "increased terrorist threats", the United States issued a global alert on Monday for Americans planning to travel following deadly militant attacks in France and Mali.
In a national security address to parliament, Turnbull called for greater intelligence sharing with the leaders of Southeast Asian countries such as
Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to which Australians are frequent visitors.
"From an Australian perspective, we see a real risk that terrorist groups in the region might be inspired by attacks such as we have seen in Ankara, Beirut, Bamako and Paris and we are very mindful of the fact that hundreds of thousands of Australians visit Southeast Asia every year, for business, study or holidays," he said.
Australia suffered its worst peacetime attack on its citizens on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali in 2002, when two Islamist suicide bombers set off explosives at packed nightclubs killing 202 people, including 88 Australians.
Turnbull on Tuesday ordered Australian law enforcement officials to test their readiness for a mass casualty attack in the wake of the Nov. 13 Paris attacks which killed 130 people.
Australia is conducting air strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) as part of a US-led coalition, which has led to threats of retaliatory attacks.
"I have ... asked that our law enforcement agencies test their responses to a mass casualty attack," Turnbull said.
"This work is in addition to the extensive reform of our national security laws.... These laws ensure our agencies have all the tools required in the effort to keep us safe."
Turnbull reiterated there were no plans to change Australia's military tactics against Islamic State, despite some politicians calling for troops to be sent to Syria.
Australia has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown radicals since last year.
In September, police shot dead a Melbourne teenager after he stabbed two counter-terrorism officers. Last December, two hostages were killed when police stormed a central Sydney cafe to end a 17-hour siege by a lone gunman, who was also killed.
Last month, a 15-year-old British boy was sentenced to life in prison for inciting an attack on a World War One commemorative event in Australia from his bedroom in northern England.
The discovery sparked a massive police operation in Melbourne that led to the arrest of five teenagers who were planning an Islamic State-inspired attack, authorities said.
About 120 Australians are believed to be fighting with Islamic State and other militant groups in Iraq and Syria, with several believed by intelligence agencies to hold leadership positions in Islamic State.
Australia calls for greater intel sharing in Asia to stop Paris-style attack | Republika Online
TNI AU to improve air defense weapons
Thursday, 26 November 2015, 11:54 WIB
Chief of Air Force Staff (KSAU), Marshal Agus Supriatna
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chief of Air Force Staff (KSAU), Marshal Agus Supriatna, said strategic plan in 2015-2019 of TNI AU (Air Force) was to focus on improvement of air defense. The air defense was done with repairing and purchasing new aircraft that are more qualified.
"I've made a study. The study was examined again at the TNI Headquarters. Then, it was submitted to Ministry of Defense and was approved by National Development Planning Agency. According to the plan, this year we will buy three new and complete aircraft," Agus said to Republika.co.id, Wednesday (25/11).
At the beginning of the plan, TNI AU had proposed to purchase Viper F.16 and Sukhoi 35 aircraft. Both planes are considered to meet a high standard compared to the old aircraft.
Besides it is useful for fighting, the aircraft will also be used for emergency disaster management. However, finally, Ministry of Defense and Bappenas approved the purchase of three Sukhoi 35 aircraft.
Agus also had stressed to Ministry of Defense and Bappenas that TNI AU proposed for new and complete aircraft. This was because the new aircraft will be more profitable than if Indonesia had to buy dozens of planes without adequate specifications.
In addition to purchasing new aircraft, to improve air defense, TNI AU also would enhance ability of aircraft that are currently owned by Indonesia. One of them was an increase in the ability of T.50 and KT1 aircraft. The heavy transport aircraft would be able to bring at least 12 tons of water per 15 second.
TNI AU to improve air defense weapons | Republika Online
If they choose to upgrade it, then it means TNI AU has fall in love with this bird already.
