{
  "id": 13856876,
  "title": "Residents in Kota Belud and Labuan told not to panic as low‑flying aircraft part of RMAF exercise",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/residents-in-kota-belud-and-labuan-told-not-to-panic-as-low-flying",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T02:36:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2026/10/12/residents-in-kota-belud-and-labuan-told-not-to-panic-as-lowflying-aircraft-part-of-rmaf-exercise/238755"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Residents of Kota Belud and Labuan need not worry if they see aircraft flying low in the skies from October 12 to 20, as this activity is part of a routine military exercise, according to local authorities. The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Public Relations Division has issued a statement to reassure the public that the low-flying aircraft are not a cause for alarm.\n\nThe exercise, known as the Air Mobility Tactical Operation (AMTOP) Exercise Series 2/2026, is a joint effort involving the RMAF, Malaysian Army (TDM), and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). The primary goal of this operation is to enhance joint interoperability and assess operational effectiveness at the tactical level.\n\nDuring the nine-day exercise, RMAF aircraft will perform low-altitude tactical flights and operate alongside other national defence assets within designated areas. The RMAF has explicitly stated that they urge local residents not to be alarmed by the presence of these national defence assets.",
  "summary": "KOTA KINABALU, Oct 12 — Members of the public in the vicinity of Kota Belud, Sabah, and the Federal Territory of L...",
  "key_points": [
    "Low-flying aircraft in Kota Belud and Labuan not cause for panic.",
    "Part of RMAF's Air Mobility Tactical Operation (AMTOP) Exercise Series 2/2026.",
    "Exercise aims to enhance joint interoperability and assess operational effectiveness."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Residents in Kota Belud and Labuan told not to panic as low‑flying aircraft part of RMAF exercise",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/residents-in-kota-belud-and-labuan-told-not-to-panic-as-low-flying-13858915",
        "published": "2026-10-12T02:36:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}