GEORGE TOWN – The Penang southwest district police, alongside other security agencies, conducted a large-scale simulation exercise at Penang International Airport (PIA) in Bayan Lepas yesterday, simulating several emergency scenarios.
In a post on Facebook, the police department confirmed that the exercise, named Latihan Penuh Ex-Gempar PIA 2024, ran from 9.00am to 5.00pm.
The day-long simulation included scenarios such as airport staff riots at Link Bridge MCP, armed robbery and attacks in front of the international departure gateway, and bomb threats at Level 1 of the international arrival gateway.
“The objective of this (simulation) exercise was to test the levels of preparedness and effectiveness of coordination between the police, aviation security (AVSEC), and related agencies in dealing with emergency situations at the airport,” said the police.
Key police personnel present during the exercise included Sazalee Adam, the southwest district police chief, Nermaljit Singh Bakhtawar Singh, the deputy district police chief, and Zaiful Karnain Jamaluddin, the head of the airport’s police station.
Video clips from the exercise went viral on TikTok and WhatsApp, with some posts on the latter platform falsely suggesting that shooting incidents had resulted in deaths.
In response, Malaysia Airports issued a statement on Tuesday, assuring the public that all safety protocols would be followed throughout the exercise to ensure normal operations.
“Should you observe any unusual activities or setups, (please) kindly stay calm as they are part of the planned exercise,” the airport management company posted on Facebook. – November 21, 2024