For nearly 30 minutes, the colourfully decorated KRI Bima Suci 945 marching band kept their audience in awe.
The band, made up of 61 male and female cadets from Indonesia, trotted their stuff with catchy military tunes, moves and manoeuvres at Suria KLCC, adjacent to the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur.
KRI Bima Suci 945, with 83 cadets (72 men and 11 women), is one of the world’s largest naval training sail ships, now on a three-day port call at the National Hydrographay Centre in Pulau Indah.
Indonesian embassy naval attache Col (Navy) Renny Lilik Asmoro said the band, among others, performed the traditional "Reog Dance" which was popular in Ponorogo in East Java.
“The local crowd greatly enjoyed the display and we are glad to share our military traditions and culture with Malaysians,” said Renny.
He added that part of the mandatory training was for each of the Indonesian cadets to learn a musical instrument, and to sing as well.
Five young Royal Malaysian Navy acting sub-lieutenants had the privilege to sail on board the ship from Brunei to Pulau Indah over five days.
The five are Mohd Dzuhair Mohd Nidzar, 23, Joenelpy Ropplin, 25, Mohammad Faiq Asyraf Mohammad Haris, 25, Mohd Fahmi Hamidun, 23, and Mohd Shafiq Sholihin Azhar, 23.
They learnt the basic fundamentals in astronomy, navigation and physics using traditional instruments to steer and manage the vessel.
Additionally, they were also exposed to the blend of differing cultures, race, religion and personalities with their Indonesian counterparts.
KRI Bima Suci 945 is on its 96-day annual training routine across the Asia-Pacific, as part of its overseas task force codenamed "Kartika Jala Krida".
The vessel is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel (Navy) S.H. Waluyo, while the "Kartika Jala Krida Training" unit was led by Lieutenant Colonel Afrilian Sukarno Timur.
It departed its base at Surabaya on Aug 5 for port calls at Manila (Philippines), Osaka (Japan), Busan (South Korea), Shanghai (China), Brunei, Port Klang (Malaysia), Phuket (Thailand), Yangon (Myanmar), Padang (Indonesia), Benoa and Darwin (Australia) before returning home.
The voyage is part of Indonesian President Joko Widodo to build greater cordial ties with the neighbouring maritime nations, as well as to promote his country’s tourism and foreign investment.
It is believed that the president, popularly known as Jokowi, wants to impart the "Global Fulcrum Maritime Brotherhood" diplomacy as a main component in Indonesia’s national defence.
The vessel, one of the highest mast sailboats owned by the Indonesian navy, besides KRI Dewaruci, can accommodate up to 209 personnel (35 officers, 73 sailors and 101 cadets).
Source : New Straits Times
