KUCHING: Pacific Partnership Exercise military personnel struck up an instant rapport with SMK Semerah Padi students here during a visit.
SMK Semerah Padi was one of the schools chosen to play host to minor programmes under the 2019 Pacific Partnership Exercise (Ex-PP19).
Amongst the activities were mat weaving and learning how to play traditional musical instruments.
The military personnel in turn shared their experiences with the students.
The highlight of the programme was the amazing performance by the Ex-PP19 band.
They performed hit songs such as Bruno Mar’s Uptown Funk, That’s What I Like and 24K Magic, Charlie Puth’s Attention, Jennie from Black Pink’s Solo, Meghan Trainor’s I Love Me, Beyonce’s Crazy In Love, Camila Cabello’s Havana as well as popular songs by Malaysian stars such as Gemilang by Jaclyn Victor and Gemuruh by Faizal Tahir.
The Ex-PP19 is an annual deployment of forces from the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy in cooperation with regional governments such as Australia, the Philippines, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia, and military forces, along with humanitarian and non-governmental organisations.
With the concept of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), the activities during the mission include Medical/Dental Civic Action Programme, Engineering Civic Action Programme, Community Relation, HADR Table Top Exercise or Field Training Exercise and Subject Matter Expert’s Exchange.
“The Ex-PP19 aims to enhance the relationship between Malaysia and the United States so that we can understand each other better,” said Navy chaplain Susan Maginn.
“Through this programme, the partner nations are able to strengthen their preparedness or provide relief if there’s ever a disaster in the future,” she told New Sarawak Tribune at SMK SemerahPadi yesterday.
According to Susan, the delegates would get the opportunity to connect with students through the programme.
“Through this event, we can get exposure about the local schools, the students and the culture. In return, we hope they can benefit from us as well such as learning the English language and get to know the details of our experience and expertise.”
Maginn added: “We started out learning about the local musical instruments and the students are also teaching us on how to weave mats.”
“On our part, we will have our military personnel who can play musical instruments to perform for the whole school,” she continued.
“Other than that, we are also going to different classrooms and present to the students our military journey where we hope we can inspire and motivate them to be successful,” she pointed out.
Meanwhile, SMK Semerah Padi principal Hadiah Amit said it was an honour to welcome the delegates.
“Not only will our guests get a taste of Sarawakian hospitality, it also allows the school community, the students, teachers, parents and the staff in general, the opportunity to enhance understanding and foster friendship,” she elaborated.
“It is impressive to see the students and everyone else trying their very best to communicate with the guests in English,” she added.
Hadiah continued: “That’s what we are aiming for (which is) to give opportunities to both sides to learn from one another. We want to instil confidence in the students as well as the school community in general.”
The Ex-PP19 chief of staff Royal Australian Navy Capt Brendon Zilko was also present at the event.
