RMAF MiG-29s and Sukhoi steal show with aerobatic feats

Wednesday December 5, 2007

LANGKAWI: The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2007 Exhibition roared off to spectacular start with fighter jets streaking across the sky here in an awe-inspiring display.

Aerial starburst The Red Arrows aerobatic team of the British Royal Air Force performing over the skies of Langkawi at the opening of the Lima 2007. The Royal Malaysian Air Force's newly acquired Sukhoi SU30 fighter jets and the Indian Air Force's Suryakiran aerobatic teams are also showing off their skills during the air and maritime show.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah were among the large crowd that witnessed the 90-minute display showcasing several skilful aerobatic formations.

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) Aerobatic team, popularly known as the Red Arrows, lived up to its name as nine jetsshot across the sky with their trademark manoeuvres.

Angkasawan Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Shukor seen getting out of the cockpit of the Red Arrows.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)’s three-man MIG-29 fighter jet team from the 19th Squadron in Kuantan, Pahang also mesmerised the crowd with their precision tactical display.

A solo aerial display by an RMAF Sukhoi SU-30MKM jet show the aircraft’s agility, especially when the pilot manoeuvred it to bank sharply up 90 degrees and later dropped freely, making several spins before levelling off.

Four RMAF F/A 18-D Hornet aircrafts also took part in a heart-stopping air-to-air refuelling exercise with a KC-130 Hercules.

Handover: Abdullah getting a closer look at the Sukhoi SU-30 MKM after taking delivery of it at Lima 2007.

Also taking part in the aerial display were four C-130 aircraft, four RMAF Hawks, two Nuris and two A-109 light observation helicopters.

While the airfield seizure exercise by the 10th Paratrooper Brigade from Malacca was cancelled, nine paratroopers from the RMAF Special Forces’ commandos did a freefall from a CN 235 transport aircraft.

One of the 18 Sukhoi aircraft that the Malaysian Government had recently bought was later officially handed over to Abdullah in a simple ceremony at the tarmac.

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Dr M: Lima has benefited Langkawi greatly

Wednesday December 5, 2007

LANGKAWI: The biennial Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) exhibition has brought tremendous economic growth to the island, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said the event’s overwhelming response since its inception in 1991 has resulted in almost 100% occupancy rate at all hotels here.

“Many hoteliers here are asking for the event to be held every week as their rooms are fully booked for the week,” he joked when visiting the aerospace exhibition hall here Wednesday.

Dr Mahathir, who had mooted the idea for Lima, said he was happy to note its progress over the years.

He said Lima was gaining popularity, noting that the event this year had a bigger number of participants and exhibition space.

Lima 2007 has 350 international exhibitors, including 20 Malaysian companies, showcasing among the world’s best systems, equipment and services in the aerospace and maritime industry.

Malaysia’s first Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, who was at the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry booth, was thrilled when Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali dropped by.

Earlier, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah visited the exhibition centre and witnessed an aerial display together with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre.

Tuanku Nur Zahirah will launch a new Royal Malaysia Navy patrol boat at the maritime exhibition in Awana Porto Malai here Thursday.

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Injured paratrooper Zaliza stable

Tuesday December 4, 2007

ALOR STAR: One of the two critically injured women paratroopers who parachuted into the sea during an exercise for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2007, is reported to be in stable condition at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital here.

Hospital director Dr Che Pah Ahmad said that Zaliza Zakaria, 23, who was admitted on Sunday evening, was still in the intensive care unit.

She said that Zaliza, who did not suffer any physical injury, regained consciousness after midnight.

“She suffered respiratory problems after swallowing water when she parachuted into the sea. We have cleared her lungs and she has been breathing normally since this morning,” she said.

Zaliza’s father, Zakaria Othman, 52, said his daughter managed to utter a few words when he saw her yesterday morning.

“She was still weak but she could move her limbs,” he said.

“Zaliza has been a paratrooper for four years. I have always supported her interest,” he said.

It is learnt that the other critically injured paratrooper, Suraya Ali, 23, is in Langkawi Hospital and in stable condition.

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Women paratroopers buried with full military honours

Tuesday December 4, 2007

IPOH: Private Nurul Wahida Yunos and Ranger Siti Hajar Yakub, who were killed in the parachute tragedy in Langkawi on Sunday, were laid to rest with full military honours.

General worker Mohd Yusof Leman remains shocked that his daughter Nurul Wahida was killed in the exercise.

Mohd Yusof, 52, from Tanjung Malim, wants to know why his eldest daughter was even included in the exercise as she was a junior who had joined the army just two years ago.

He said she had called early Sunday morning to tell him that she “could not make it” for the jump.

“I was surprised she went ahead with the jump,” said the former serviceman. He said he last saw her during Hari Raya.

Nurul Wahida, 20, of Kampung Sungai Dara in Tanjung Malim, drowned along with Trooper Raimond Duncan from Simunjan, Sarawak, and Siti Hajar from Masjid Tanah, Malacca.

They were among 18 paratroopers who were blown off course. Some of them plunged into the sea while the others landed hard on the Langkawi airport's tarmac.

Mohd Yusof said her childhood dream was to become a paratrooper. She was buried at the Tanah Perkuburan Islam Kampung Sungai Dara, Tanjung Malim, at 4am.

Meanwhile, it was also a sombre scene at the Jalan Hujan Panas Islamic cemetery in Masjid Tanah where Siti Hajar was laid to rest at 4.20am yesterday, reports STEVEN DANIEL.

Her parents, Yakub Keling, 56, and Rogayah Baba, 48, and fiancé Abdul Suffi Mohd Yusof sprinkled rose water and flowers after the ceremony.

Abdul Suffi said Siti Hajar had sent him a strange SMS two days before the accident.

“If anything happens to me, my jewellery is in a locker at the Terendak Camp, motorcycle key in the machine’s boot and if there is an accident, tell father to claim army insurance,” she said in the SMS, according to the 24-year-old prison officer in Penur, Pahang.

Abdul Suffi said he last saw Siti Hajar in early November before leaving to attend a course in Taiping. They had planned to wed in March

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Lima 2007 off to roaring start

Tuesday December 4, 2007

LANGKAWI: The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2007 Exhibition roared off to spectacular start as fighter jets seared the sky here with an awe-inspiring aerial display.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah joined the large crowds witnessing the 90-minute long display that showcased several skilful aerobatic formations.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) Aerobatic team, popularly known as the Red Arrows, from Britain lived up to its name as nine display pilots streaked across the sky with their trademark manoeuvres.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)’s three-man MIG-29 fighter jet team from the 19th Squadron in Kuantan, Pahang also mesmerised the crowd with their precision tactical display.

A solo aerial display by an RMAF Sukhoi SU-30MKM jet displayed the aircraft’s agility, especially when the pilot manoeuvred it to scale sharply up 90 degrees and later dropped freely, making several circular spins.

Four RMAF F/A 18-D Hornet aircrafts also took part in a heart-stopping air-to-air refuelling exercise with a KC-130 Hercules air refueller aircraft.

Also taking part in the aerial display were four C-130 aircraft, four RMAF Hawks, two Nuris and two A-109 light observation helicopters.

While the airfield seizure exercise by the 10th Paratrooper Brigade from Malacca remained cancelled, nine paratroopers from the RMAF Special Forces’ commandos did a freefall from a CN 235 transport aircraft.

One of the 18 Sukhoi aircraft that the Malaysian government had recently bought were later officially handed over to Abdullah in a simple ceremony at the tarmac.

RMAF commanding officer Kol Suri Mohd Daud, from the 11th squadron in Gong Kedak, Trengganu gave a briefing when Abdullah and Jeanne took a short tour of the aircraft.

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