Singapore and Indonesian Navies Conduct Socio-Civic Programme in Indonesia

CPT (DR) James Sng attending to a local resident at a medical outpost in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Indonesian Navy (IDN) worked closely together in Surya Bhaskara Jaya (SBJ) - which means socio-civic activities in Bahasa Indonesian, from 10 to 14 September 2013 in Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia.

About 250 RSN personnel joined the IDN to provide social assistance, primary health and dental care to residents of Labuan Bajo. As part of the programme, surgeries were performed onboard the RSN's Landing Ship Tank, RSS Endeavour, and the IDN's hospital ship, KRI Dr Suharso. In addition, the RSN personnel distributed essential food items such as rice, sugar, salt and cooking oil, as well as educational materials to the residents, and worked together with personnel from the IDN to carry out repair and restoration works in the villages.

The RSN has been taking part in SBJ since 1997 when it was first invited by the IDN to join the humanitarian assistance programme. The RSN's participation highlights the excellent defence ties between the two navies. Both navies share a long history of close and mutually beneficial cooperation, and interact regularly through exercises and professional exchanges.

Members of the RSN surgical team performing a hernia surgery on a Labuan Bajo resident on board RSS Endeavour.