PORT DICKSON – The Segenting Camp here, today reverberated with the sounds of gunshots and bombs with billowing smoke, in conjunction with the 89th Army Day celebration.
Akin to being on a real battlefield, the show which involved the participation of 951 officers and personnel, supported by 72 assets and weaponry was for the celebration themed ‘Wellbeing of the Army Family Prioritised, National Sovereignty Assured’.
The dynamic demonstration segment was enlivened with the presence of vehicles including the PT91M Pendekar tanks, Lipan Bara Armoured Vehicles, Gempita 8×8 Armoured Vehicles, and Adnan Armoured track Vehicles.
The actions, which were implemented physically under the standard operating procedure (SOP) in the absence of an audience, took place for an hour from 9 am and was also witnessed by Army chief, Gen Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain and his deputy Lt Gen Datuk Seri Mohammad Ab Rahman.
In addition, a Combat Parade headed by Lieutenant Colonel Din Izuan Mahar Afandi involved eight detachments including the Combat Detachment, 10 Brigade (Para), 21 Special Operations Group (21 GGK), Combat Support and the Women’s Contingent.
In the air space, three LOHA109 Augusta helicopters were seen flying the flags of the Malaysian Armed Forces, Malaysian Army (TDM) and the Jalur Gemilang.
Overall, 2,500 TDM officers and personnel were involved in the highly enthusiastic celebration.
Zamrose regarded the dynamic demonstration shown as a manifestation of the army to the government and the people whereby the members of TDM are always ready and capable of implementing the tasks and missions entrusted to them.
He also appreciated the recognitions and praises from the people in the country and societies abroad on the success of TDM members in the last 89 years.
“During the period of its existence, TDM has etched numerous successes including ending the communist insurgency, repelling the confrontation by a neighbouring country and playing significant roles as peacemaker in turbulent nations and thwarting intrusions by terrorists from abroad,” he added.
Zamrose said other challenges which might be faced were the global geo-political instability and the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic which had yet to show its end.
“Although these challenges are intangible in nature and are out of our control, but it does not mean we need not make any preparation to face them,” he said.
As such, he urged all the levels of leadership to always ensure the readiness of their personnel through effective training, instilling specific skills and firming up on the aspect of spiritualism and identity to face any eventuality.
He said TDM also played a role to help the people who were impacted by natural disasters including floods, landslides, spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in addition to helping the general public through the organisations of ‘Jiwa Murni’ programmes which had been implemented nationwide throughout last year.
