Lyna Mohamad
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam graced the Sovereign’s Parade Ceremony for the 19th intake of officer cadets at the Officer Cadet School yesterday.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; and His Royal Highness 920 Captain (U) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
The ceremony at the Parade Square of the Defence Academy of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) in Kampong Tanah Jambu involved 52 male and 21 female commissioned officer cadets. Of that, 40 were commissioned as Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) officers; 14 as the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) officers; and 19 as the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) officers.
His Majesty was greeted by Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof and Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat.
His Majesty received the royal salute and inspected the parade under the command of 1061 Lt Muhammad Ridhwan bin Haji Ralif of the RBN, which was then followed with a march-past by the officer cadets.
After delivering the titah, His Majesty presented awards to the best officer cadets of the 19th intake.
The ceremony proceeded with a presentation of the Sword of Honour to Officer Cadet Mohammad Zulfahmi Solihin @ Abdul Hannan bin Haji Zulhazmi, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics from University of Melbourne, Australia.
The Sword of Honour is the foremost award bestowed by His Majesty to an officer cadet with the highest overall achievements in basic military training – academically and physically – and in all aspects of leadership.
The monarch also presented Best Academic Award, Best Military Skills Award and Best in Physical Training Award.
The Best Academic Award was presented to Officer Cadet (U) Mohammad Khalid Wassadisalleh bin Haji Mahmud, who holds a Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business Administration from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, based on his overall academic performance throughout the course.
The Best Military Skills Award was presented to Officer Cadet Muhammad Atthar Ridzwan bin Haji Muhammad Alamizan, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Brunei, based on his excellent achievements in all areas of military skills.
The Best in Physical Training Award was awarded to Officer Cadet Awangku Ahmad Muqri bin Pengiran Sahbirin, who holds a Bachelor of Hospitality Management (Hons) from SEGi University, Malaysia, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in physical training.
Following three shouts of ‘Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik’ from the parade, a Doa was recited by Head of the RBAF Religious Department (JAMA’AT) Commander Haji Ainolnizam bin Haji Ibrahim, RBN.
The monarch received a pesambah known as Miftah Annajah (Key of Success) from the newly-commissioned officer cadets.
This was followed by a get-together ceremony (Majlis Junjung Ziarah) with the newly-commissioned officer cadets and their families.
The Sovereign’s Parade is the culmination of the RBAF Officer Cadet School’s prestigious intensive military training to equip newly-commissioned officers with knowledge, confidence, discipline, a sense of professionalism and leadership skills.