Working visit of YBhg Admiral Tan Sri Ramlan Mohamed Ali, Chief of Navy to Chile
Y.Bhg. Admiral Tan Sri Ramlan Mohamed Ali, Chief of Navy made a working visit to Chile from 21 - 23 January 2008. He was accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Noor Asmah Shariman and two navy officers namely First Admiral Mohd Noh Lebai Mahat, Director of Material and Captain Mohd Zahari Jamian.
During the visit, Admiral Tan Sri paid a courtesy call on Admiral Rodolfo Codina Diaz, Chief of the Chilean Navy. Admiral Tan Sri was also given a briefing by Vice Admiral Robinson, Chief of Staff on the history, role and operational aspects of the Chilean Navy at its headquarters in the coastal city of Valparaiso, about one and half hour drive from Santiago. Tan Sri Ramlan was also taken on a tour of the Chilean Maritime Training and Instruction Center (CIMAR).
Admiral Tan Sri Ramlam had the opportunity to witness the maneuvering exercise involving several other frigates conducted by the Chilean Navy. He was taken on board and toured the Flagship of the National Squad, the FF "Admiral Williams", which was maneuvering about 30 nautical miles of the coast of Chile.
The highlight of the visit was the tour of the Chilean Submarine Force base and their training facilities at Talcahuano Naval Base, about an hour from Santiago via naval airplane. The delegation was also given the opportunity to board the Scorpene Submarine SS O´ Higgins. Chile has two Scorpene submarines while Malaysia is awaiting the arrival of two Scorpene submarineS.
The visit of Admiral Tan Sri Ramlan Mohamed Ali, Chief of Navy Malaysia was the second visit by the Chief of Navy Malaysia to Chile. The first was by Tan Sri Ilyas Haji Din, then Chief of Navy last August 2007. Admiral Tan Sri Ramlan?s visit was also to reciprocate the five day visit of Admiral Cordina Diaz to Malaysia last August.
Admiral Tan Sri Ramlan stated that the visit was a success. The Chilean navy has been very open and frank during their discussions with the delegation. They have also been very helpful in sharing their experiences with Scorpene submarine class and have given advice on possible problems and solutions. Admiral Tan Sri also had the opportunity to explore potential fields of cooperation and opportunities between the two navies. The delegation also toured restricted areas including the artilleries warehouse. Admiral Tan Sri made a remark that Ambassador Faiz is possibly the first Malaysian Ambassador and a Malaysian civilian to board a fully commissioned Scorpene submarine.
Given more than 160 years of Chilean naval experience and its British traditions, Malaysia could learn much more from Chile. Admiral Tan Sri Ramlan has agreed to send two naval officers for training in Chile by 2009.
Arriving at the Naval Base Headquarters in Talcahuano
Scorpene submarine SS O´Higgins
Scorpene submarine SS O´Higgins
Lunch at the Naval Base in Talcahuano
Admiral Tan Sri given a submarine pin making him a honorary member of the Chilean submarine
Departing for Santiago by Navy plane
A word of thanks for the navy pilot ¨Sandokan¨
(Emilio Salgari, an Italian writer wrote a fiction entitled ¨Sandokan - the Tiger of Malaysia in 1895. Sandokan was a friendly Malaysian pirate who rescues pretty damsels in distress and robs the rich and help the poor)
Malaysian hospitality at the Residence
One for the Album
A final word from Anil to Admiral Tan Sri before departure for home
Embassy of Malaysia
Santiago, Chile
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/santiago