Latest news with #MalaysianBattalion
The Star
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Malbatt honoured with UN Medals for contributions to peacekeeping, outreach programmes
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 155 personnel from the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 850-12, including 20 officers, 134 other ranks, and one government staff member, were honoured with United Nations (UN) Medals. They were honoured in a ceremonial medal parade held at the Marakah Camp in Lebanon on Thursday (June 19). The parade, held in full military tradition, was led by Malbatt 850-12 deputy commander Leftenan Kolonel Firdaus Shah Budin, who served as the parade commander. The event was accompanied by a performance from the Ghana Battalion (Ghanbatt) military band. Heading the list of medal recipients was Malbatt 850-12 commander Kolonel Johan Effendi Mohd Shalleh, in recognition of his leadership and significant contribution to the mission's success. The medals were presented by United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) Sector West commander, Brigadier General Nicola Mandolesi, who later continued the award ceremony to senior officers and all other ranks. Also present was Malaysia's Ambassador to Lebanon, Azri Mat Yacob, who officiated the medal adornment as a gesture of the Malaysian Government's support and appreciation for the contingent's role in international peacekeeping efforts. The awarding of the UN Medals is an official recognition of the professionalism, dedication, and contributions of Malbatt 850-12 personnel in maintaining regional peace and supporting international missions. Malbatt 850-12 began its deployment under Unifil in November 2024, during a period of heightened security concerns in southern Lebanon, amid escalating tensions in the region involving Israel and Iran. These challenges posed significant pressure on local political stability and public safety. In this context, Malbatt 850-12 played a crucial role in supporting Unifil's mandate to assist the Lebanese government in strengthening security control and monitoring within the area of operations, while also fostering strong cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Beyond peacekeeping operations, Malbatt 850-12 has also carried out numerous humanitarian initiatives, including medical outreach, food aid distribution, and engagement programmes for orphans. These efforts have helped foster goodwill with local communities and contributed meaningfully to social stability within the region.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysia receives UN award for female peacekeeper deployment
BERLIN: Malaysia has been honoured with a United Nations award recognising the participation of female peacekeepers in its peacekeeping missions, during the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 held in Berlin, Germany. In a statement, the armed forces headquarters said the award acknowledges the operational deployment and involvement of female peacekeepers from the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), which met the targets set by the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy (UGPS). It said that Malaysia is among the countries that advocate the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, adding that 10.5 per cent of the total peacekeeping mission personnel for Malbatt Unifil consist of women. "Besides Unifil, the armed forces has also deployed female peacekeepers as military observers and staff for Monusco (UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Minurso (UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara), and Unisfa (UN Interim Security Force for Abyei)," read the statement. The armed forces said the award recognises Malaysia's contribution to upholding international peace and security on the global stage. Other recipients are Fiji, Guatemala, Kenya, Malawi, Mongolia, and Tanzania. The armed forces headquarters Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Datuk Azhan Md Othman, and the Military Adviser to the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the UN, Colonel Shamsuri Noordin, attended the award ceremony. Yesterday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin reaffirmed the country's continued commitment to supporting the WPS agenda in line with the UGPS. – BERNAMA
Malaysiakini
15-05-2025
- General
- Malaysiakini
M'sia receives award for female peacekeepers' participation in UN missions
Malaysia has been honoured with the UN award that recognises the participation of female peacekeepers in its peacekeeping missions at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 in Berlin, Germany. The armed forces headquarters, in a statement, said the award recognises the operational deployment and involvement of female peacekeepers from the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), which met the targets set by the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy (UGPS)...
The Star
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malbatt 850-12 troops to return from Lebanon in phases by November
JOHOR BARU: The current Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 850-12 force in Lebanon will come home in phases by November, says Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan. He added that they would be replaced by Malbatt 850-13, and the selected personnel would be called up for training soon before being deployed. 'It will be the same number of troops, about 850 officers and personnel, including one platoon from the Royal Brunei Artillery Force joining Malbatt. 'A committee will be set up to choose the commander and staff officers involved. The selected unit is the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment based in Sungai Ara,' he told the media after meeting Malbatt 850-12 personnel's families near Ulu Tiram here on Monday (May 5) evening. He added that the Malbatt 850-13 training will be held at Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan. Gen Hafizuddeain assured the families that Malbatt forces in Lebanon were safe despite the current situation in the Middle East. 'We are concerned about the possibility of uncontrolled actions by the parties in conflict there, which might result in gunfire reaching our area of assignment. 'Alhamdulillah, so far there have not been any high-risk incidents, though we remain vigilant,' he added. Malbatt 850-12 has been deployed since November under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) peacekeeping mission.
