Defense Minister Releases Hospital Ship Dr. Radjiman In Humane Operation To Palestine

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto at the Kolinlamil Pier of the Indonesian Navy, Jakarta, Thursday (18/1/2024), (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto at the Kolinlamil Pier of the Indonesian Navy, Jakarta, Thursday, January 18, released the departure of the KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992 who carried aid in humanitarian operations for the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The aids, which consist of food, clothing, mineral water, and medicine, were delivered from Jakarta to Al Arish, a city in Egypt bordering Rafah in Gaza.

The hospital aid ship was originally planned not only for aid, but also for other humanitarian operations such as providing health services on ships and providing care to refugees from Gaza.

"This is proof that we continue to support the Palestinian people in their struggle to defend themselves, the struggle to achieve independence and as is known, Indonesia always supports the struggle of the Palestinian people and we continue to mobilize what we can do to support the struggle of the Palestinian people," said Defense Minister Prabowo during the ceremony to release KRI dr. Radjiman, accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (Kasal) Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali.

During the event, Prabowo directly checked the readiness of ships and personnel departing to deliver aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Prabowo also spoke directly with the Muhibah/Port Visit Task Force Commander to Egypt 2024 First Admiral TNI Bimo Aji who led the humanitarian mission between the Indonesian people and the Palestinian people.

"I have spoken with the commander of the task force and captain of the ship, and several crew of the task force that will be led by First Admiral Bimo Aji and I see the discipline is very good, moral, and enthusiastic," Prabowo said.

The Defense Minister acknowledged that the humanitarian mission was not an easy operation, because Indonesian Navy soldiers would sail through quite dangerous waters.

"This task is quite dangerous because they will pass through the war area, which is around Aden Bay, Red Sea, which is now raging an open war," said Prabowo Subianto.

On the same occasion, Prabowo also thanked Admiral Ali and other humanitarian agencies who helped with the humanitarian operation.

"We will also not stop helping on the opportunities that come. We intend to send airplanes to transport aid, send ships and assistance continuously. They really need it," Prabowo said.

KRI dr. Radjiman docked in Jakarta since November 30, 2023 in preparation for sending aid to El Arish, Egypt, for the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The hospital aid ship was originally planned not only for aid, but also for other humanitarian operations such as providing health services on ships and providing care to refugees from Gaza.

However, the permits granted by the Egyptian government so far have only delivered assistance and friendly visits to the port (port visit) in El Arish, Egypt.

KRI Radjiman, which carries 214 crews, is scheduled to sail for 52 days from Jakarta, Batam, to El Arish, Egypt, and return to the country, but is also scheduled for a visit port in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Of the 214 crew, 40 of them are special troops of the Indonesian Navy.

The assistance of 80 trucks currently in KRI dr. Radjiman, consisting of pampers (532 sacks), children's clothing (600 sacks), adult clothing (700 sacks and 500 boxes), milk (800 boxes), biscuits (650 boxes), gallon mineral water (1,254 gallons), cardboard mineral water (1,700 boxes), medicines (460 cardboard boxes), blankets (450 sacks), jackets (450 sacks), and instant noodles (470 boxes). The amount if grouped according to the container, there are 4,080 cardboard, 2,732 sacks, 500 boxes, and 1,254 gallons.