By Sim YH
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, NOV 22 – The last flight for the return of the Malaysian Battalion Contingent (MALBATT 850-11) for the peacekeeping mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) totaling 217 members has arrived safely at Subang Air Base, Malaysia on November 20.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense, here, following the flight were the last two members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), namely Major Mohammad Hafizi bin Sabli, as Head of the Brunei Darussalam Contingent for MALBATT 850-11 and Captain ( U) Mohammad Yusran bin Isak.
Present to welcome them back was the Commander of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RLDM), His Highness Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy bin Ithnain, RLDM.
Also present were Brunei Darussalam’s Defense Adviser to Malaysia, His Excellency Lieutenant Colonel Rudie Asmawi bin Haji Abidin, senior officers of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and family members of the MALBATT 850-11 contingent.
The parade ceremony began with a Salute from the contingent, followed by the ATM song and a speech by the Guest of Honour. The chant of ‘Gempur Wira’ ends the parade and is followed by the recitation of the Prayer.
The arrival of the last flight, completed the return of all members of the MALBATT 850-11 contingent. Next, the Dissolution Ceremony of the MALBATT 850-11 contingent will be held on December 10 at MALBATT Village, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
ABDB members from the MALBATT 850-11 contingent will return to Brunei Darussalam on December 11.
Among the ABDB members involved in the contingent’s arrival.- PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE