MARAKAH CAMP, LEBANON, Saturday, 16 November 2024 – The Transfer of Authority (TOA) ceremony between the Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) 850-11 and MALBATT 850-12 contingents for the peacekeeping mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was held at the UNP 2-1 Parade Square, Marakah Camp, South Lebanon.
RBAF personnel involved in the ceremony were Major Mohammad Hafizi bin Sabli leading the outgoing RBAF personnel for MALBATT 850-11 and Major Pengiran Muhammad Syahir Fadillah bin Pengiran Salleh leading the incoming RBAF personnel for MALBATT 850-12.
Present as Guest of Honour during the ceremony was Brigadier General Stefano Messina, Commander of Sector West UNIFIL. Also present were Lebanese Armed Forces representatives and the Battalion Commanders from Sector West.
The ceremony was enlivened with a parade led by Lieutenant Colonel Mohd Merican bin Yunus, Chief of Operation MALBATT 850-11 and two detachments consisting of both contingents from MALBATT 850-11 and MALBATT 850-12. The parade began with a General Salute to the Guest of Honour, followed by an inspection of the parade accompanied by both MALBATT 850-11 and MALBATT 850-12 commanders.
The ceremony continued with the handing over of United Nations (UN) flag by the Commander of MALBATT 850-11, Colonel Burhan bin Sagoni, to the Commander of MALBATT 850-12, Colonel Johan Effendi bin Haji Mohd Salleh. This symbolises the the official handing over of duties and responsibilities for the tasks within the Area of Operation, ensuring the continued implementation of the UN Mandate.
In his address by the Guest of Honour, he expressed his sincere gratitude to the MALBATT 850-11 contingent for their dedication, invaluable contributions, and sacrifices made by their personnel over the course of their deployment. Thereafter, the Commander MALBATT 850-11 was awarded with the Lebanese Medal by Brigadier General Pierre Bou Maroun on behalf of South Litani Sector Commander.
RBAF's participation in the UNIFIL mission began in 2008 embedded with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). Since then, the participation of RBAF in peacekeeping operations continues to signify the importance of enhancing support for international missions and operations, aligning to the Defence White Paper.
MAJLIS TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY ANTARA MALBATT 850-11 DENGAN MALBATT 850-12
KEM MARAKAH, LUBNAN, Sabtu, 16 November 2024 – Majlis Transfer of Authority (TOA) bagi misi pengaman Pasukan Interim Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu di Lubnan (UNIFIL) antara kontingen MALBATT 850-11 dan MALBATT 850-12 telah diadakan di Padang Perbarisan UNP 2-1, Kem Marakah, Lubnan Selatan.
Majlis ini turut melibatkan anggota Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) dengan Mejar Mohammad Hafizi bin Sabli mengetuai anggota-anggota ABDB bagi MALBATT 850-11 dan Mejar Pengiran Muhammad Syahir Fadillah bin Pengiran Salleh mengetuai anggota-anggota ABDB bagi MALBATT 850-12.
Hadir selaku Tetamu Kehormat majlis adalah Brigedier Jeneral Stefano Messina, Komander Sektor Barat UNIFIL. Turut hadir perwakilan daripada Lebanese Armed Forces dan Komander-Komander Battalion dari Sektor Barat.
Majlis dimeriahkan lagi dengan perbarisan yang diketuai oleh Leftenan Kolonel Mohd Merican bin Yunus, Pegawai Staf 1 Gerak MALBATT 850-11 yang melibatkan dua pasukan terdiri daripada kedua-dua kontingen MALBATT 850-11 dan MALBATT 850-12. Perbarisan dimulakan dengan Tabik Hormat kepada Tetamu Kehormat dan diikuti dengan pemeriksaan perbarisan yang disertai oleh kedua-dua komander MALBATT 850-11 dan MALBATT 850-12.
Majlis diteruskan dengan penyerahan bendera Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) oleh Komander MALBATT 850-11, Kolonel Burhan bin Sagoni kepada Komander MALBATT 850-12, Kolonel Johan Effendi bin Haji Mohd Salleh yang menandakan penyerahan rasmi tanggungjawab bagi melaksanakan tugas-tugas dalam Kawasan Operasi dan pelaksanaan Mandat PBB.
Dalam ucapan dari Tetamu Kehormat, beliau mengungkapkan penghargaan kepada kontingen MALBATT 850-11 atas dedikasi, sumbangan yang tidak ternilai, dan pengorbanan yang telah diberikan disepanjang perlaksanaan penugasan mereka. Majlis diteruskan dengan penyampaian pingat Lubnan yang telah disampaikan oleh Brigadier Jeneral Pierre Bou Maroun wakil daripada Komander Sektor Selatan Litani kepada komander MALBATT 850-11.
Penyertaan ABDB dalam misi UNIFIL bermula pada tahun 2008 diserapkan didalam kontingen pengaman Angkatan Tentera Malaysia. Sejak itu, penglibatan ABDB dalam operasi pengaman telah menunjukkan komitmen yang tinggi dalam menyokong misi dan operasi antarabangsa, selaras dengan Kertas Putih Pertahanan.
