MARAKAH CAMP, LEBANON, Saturday, 15 November 2025 – A Transfer of Authority (TOA) ceremony for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission was held at Marakah Camp UNP 2-1 Lebanon, marking the transition of responsibility between Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) 850-12 and MALBATT 850-13. A total of 30 Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) personnel comprising of 3 officers and 27 other ranks served MALBATT 850-12 lead by Major Pg Muhammad Syahir Fadillah bin Pg Salleh and 21 RBAF personnel comprising of 3 officers and 18 other ranks as members of MALBATT 850-13 lead by Major Mohammad Ihya'uddin bin Haji Ishak.
Present as the guest of honour at the ceremony was Brigadier General David Colussi, Commander of the Western Sector UNIFIL. Also present to witness the parade were Lieutenant General Dato' Zahani bin Hj Zainal Abidin, the Joint Force Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF); Colonel Pengiran Noor Rumaizi bin Pengiran Othman, the Joint Force Commander of RBAF; Battalion Commanders from the Western Sector UNIFIL, as well as senior officers from MAF and RBAF.
During the ceremony, the mass parade was held led by Lieutenant Colonel Azadlee Rafedzi bin Kamal Rafedzi, Chief of Operation MALBATT 850-12, comprising contingents from both MALBATT 850-12 and MALBATT 850-13, together with RBAF embedded personnel. The parade commenced with a General Salute to the Sector West Commander, followed by an inspection of the detachments.
The ceremony continued with the handing over of the United Nations (UN) flag by the Commander of MALBATT 850-12, Colonel Johan Effendi bin Haji Mohd Salleh, to the Commander of Sector West, who then handed the UN flag to Commander of MALBATT 850-13, Colonel Haji Mohd Rizwan bin Abdullah. This symbolised the official transfer of responsibilities for the tasks within the Area of Operation, ensuring the continued implementation of the UN Mandate by the new commander which has been witnessed by Sector Commander UNIFIL.
In his address, the Commander of Sector West UNIFIL expressed his confidence in the capability and professionalism of MALBATT 850-13 in carrying out its responsibilities and mandate under the UNIFIL mission with excellence and integrity. He also conveyed his hope that MALBATT 850-13 will continue to uphold high operational standards, strengthen relations with the local community, and serve as the finest example among peacekeeping forces in the Western Sector. After the speech, Commander MALBATT 850-12 was awarded the Lebanese Medal by Brigadier General Suheil Wazni on behalf South Litani Sector Commander.
The United Nations Security Council has approved the final extension of the UNIFIL mandate until 31 December 2026. Since 2008 marking nearly 18 years of continuous involvement in this peacekeeping mission, the RBAF deployed a total of 55 officers and 428 other ranks throughout the missions.
KEM MARAKAH, LUBNAN, Sabtu, 15 November 2025 – Upacara Perbarisan Transfer of Authority (TOA) bagi misi United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) telah diadakan di Kem Marakah UNP 2-1 Lubnan, menandakan peralihan tanggungjawab diantara Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) 850-12 dan MALBATT 850-13. Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) telah mewakilkan seramai 30 anggota terdiri daripada 3 pegawai dan 27 lain-lain peringkat yang diketuai oleh Mejar Pg Muhammad Syahir Fadillah bin Pg Salleh dari MALBATT 850-12 manakala bagi MALBATT 850-13 pula seramai 21 anggota terdiri daripada 3 pegawai dan 18 lain-lain peringkat yang diketuai oleh Mejar Mohammad Ihya'uddin bin Haji Ishak.
Hadir selaku tetamu kehormat upacara tersebut adalah Brigedier Jeneral David Colussi, Komander Sektor Barat UNIFIL. Turut hadir menyaksikan perbarisan adalah Lt Jen Dato' Zahani bin Hj Zainal Abidin, Panglima Angkatan Bersama ATM; Kol Pengiran Noor Rumaizi bin Pengiran Othman, Pemerintah Angkatan Bersama ABDB; Komander-Komander Batalion dari Sektor Barat UNIFIL, Pegawai-Pegawai Kanan dari ATM dan ABDB.
Perbarisan yang diketuai oleh Leftenan Kolonel Azadlee Rafedzi bin Kamal Rafedzi, Pegawai Staf 1 Gerak yang menggabungkan dua pasukan terdiri daripada kedua-dua kontingen MALBATT 850-12 dan MALBATT 850-13, termasuk pegawai dan anggota-anggota dari ABDB. Perbarisan dimulakan dengan Tabik Hormat kepada Komander Sektor Barat, diikuti dengan pemeriksaan perbarisan.
Upacara perbarisan diteruskan dengan penyerahan bendera Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) oleh Kolonel Johan Effendi bin Haji Mohd Salleh, Komander MALBATT 850-12, kepada Komander Sektor Barat dan menyerahkan kembali bendera tersebut kepada Komander MALBATT 850-13, Kolonel Haji Mohd Rizwan bin Abdullah, yang mana menandakan penyerahan rasmi tanggungjawab bagi melaksanakan tugas-tugas dalam Kawasan Operasi dan pelaksanaan Mandat PBB oleh komander baru yang disaksikan oleh Komander Sektor Barat UNIFIL.
Dalam ucapannya, Komander Sektor Barat UNIFIL menzahirkan keyakinan penuh terhadap keupayaan serta profesionalisme MALBATT 850-13 dalam melaksanakan tanggungjawab dan mandat di bawah misi UNIFIL dengan cemerlang serta berintegriti. Beliau turut menaruh harapan agar MALBATT 850-13 terus mengekalkan standard operasi yang tinggi, memperkukuh jalinan hubungan dengan komuniti setempat, serta tampil sebagai contoh unggul dalam kalangan pasukan pengaman di Sektor Barat. Selepas ucapan, majlis diteruskan dengan penyampaian pingat Lubnan yang telah disampaikan oleh Brigedier Jeneral Suheil Wazni wakil daripada Komander Sektor Selatan Litani.
Majlis Keselamatan PBB telah meluluskan mandat UNIFIL untuk dilaksanakan sehingga 31 Disember 2026, sebagai lanjutan terakhir misi tersebut. Sejak tahun 2008, ABDB telah terlibat secara konsisten dalam misi pengaman ini selama hampir 18 tahun. Sepanjang tempoh tersebut, ABDB telah menugaskan seramai 55 pegawai dan 428 anggota lain-lain peringkat dalam misi ini.
