VISIT TO THE BIGGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD

MY VISIT TO RUSSIA

RUSSIA is the biggest country in the world. Former leader of communism ideology. The country where Lenin and Stalin were born and buried. What do you know about Siberia? The most unpopulated area/region in the world (other than desert).

I had the opportunity to be in this country in May 2007.

Check in at Angara Hotel, Irkutsk

PDI ILS for Su30, Irkutsk. Staying in Angara Hotel. . with Lt Col Razif (SO1 Gp A) and SU30 project team (Lt Col Dr Yunus Masjuki, Mej Meor Badrishah, Mej Pidrus (now LtCol- KCK PUGK), Mej Azlan, Mej Juani).

Dirty
Roll Out ceremony for Sukhoi, recite doa.

In Irkutsk, we have the opportunity to perform our 'Jumaat prayers' at Irkutsk Mosque, the only mosque in Irkutsk. We meet the Imam (can speak little English). The 'khutbah was short' but the summon (lecture) before the azan was very long. The Muslim community were very friendly. The only place you can find 'halal meat'. During the period of 'solah' many policemen patrolling around the mosque. I think, because of their 'bad perception' towards Muslim (relate to terrorism) were there. The condition of the mosque? An old building, poor workmanship, renovation works here and there. The interior was also not so good.

Infront of Irkutsk Mosque

We met two gentlemen before the prayers; one was rugged, wearing jersey, old jeans and beret. Another one, look very smart, wearing coats and neck tie (he claims Iranian) and did a lot of talking with us. Both about 35-40 years old. We thought, the smart one must be the wealth off businessman and the rugged one is his driver or body guard. However after the prayers, we met again and shaking hands for dispersal. They enter one luxurious car, the smart guy took the driver's seat and the rugged one sat behind.

Roll-out Ceremony (Irkutsk Plant)

Lesson learned: Midnite call. Standard of cleanliness of facilities.

TCG/CIP and LSM MiG-29/SU30 di MOSCOW (25 - 30 June 2010)

Waktu aku menulis ini aku sedang berada di hari ke 3 di Moscow.

Ini kali kedua aku berpeluang menjejaki negara bekas pemimpin Komunis dunia, Stalin. Kali ini aku datang ke Russia untuk menghadiri 'Technical Coordination Group and Components Improvement Programs (TCG/CIP) and Logistic Support Meeting (LSM) dengan OEM pesawat MiG-29 dan SU30MKM. Ramai kali ini termasuk pegawai-pegawai dari MLU dan PU Kuantan serta ATSC. Delegasi diketuai sendiri oleh Panglima Logistik Udara, Mej Jen Dato' Ackbal dan CEO ATSC, Kol Hj Selamat Bakin TUDM (Bersara).

Kami bertolak dari LCCT KL (Air Asia) pada 250920H Jun(flight D7 2006) melalui London. Stay kat London satu malam di Corus Hotel, Lancaster Gate, Bayswater Road. Pagi 260855 naik British Airway ke Domodedovo Int Aiport, Moscow (Mockba). Kami duduk di Hotel Crowne Plaza, Krasnopresnenskaya Road, Moscow. Panoramanya menarik, ditepi Sungai Moskva. Bilik ku mengadap ke sungai. kat seberang sana, Hotel Radisson... ni, i ambik gambarnya. Cantik kan??

Ahad 27 Jun- kami berpeluang untuk 'sight seeing' bandar Moscow dan melawat Bangunan Kremlin dan Dataran Merah (Red Square) serta pekan Ismailuzky yang penuh dengan gerai cenderamata. Tapi cuma buka sampai jam 5 petang sahaja.

Isnin 28 Jun- menghadiri mesyuarat TCG/CIP & LSM di premis PJSC RAC MiG di Botskinky Drive.

Selasa 29 Jun - mesyuarat TCG/LSM di Rosoboronexport di Stromynka Road. Malam dijemput untuk makan malam di rumah Kol Abd Manaf Zaid (DA)l

Rabu, 30hb Jun- bertolak ke Zurich untuk Provisioning Review Meeting dengan Pilatus Ltd.

When I was in Treasury, I had the opportunity to go Switzerland. Under the procurement contract of PC7 Mk II, there were 3 PDI/PRM to be carried out. So, In my department, we divided the trips equally, the Deputy SB (Hj Shamsuddin) will go first, followed by KPSU (En Ghaffar) for the second trip and I will go for the last trip. The plan, initially worked well, the first and second trip. When come to my turn, the top management (KSP) decided that no PDI required. So, I missed the trip. Alas.