KUALA LUMPUR, October 17, 2023 – His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah graced the Royal Military Decorations Award Ceremony for the year 2023, held at the Balairung Seri Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur today.
Accompanying His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, was Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda The Queen Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Almarhum AlMutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj.
During this Decorations Award Ceremony, His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong bestowed the Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera (PGAT) award to the Chief of the Armed Forces; General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman, the Army Chief; General Dato’ Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, and the Navy Chief; Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob.
The PGAT award was also conferred upon 6 senior military officers from foreign countries: Admiral Yudo Margono; Chief of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Aaron Beng; Chief of the Singapore Armed Forces, General Dudung Abdurachman; Chief of Staff of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Major General Saeed Rashid Ali Al Shehhi; Commander of the United Arab Emirates Army, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi; Chief of the Pakistan Navy, and Admiral Chemgchai Chomchemgat; Chief of the Royal Thai Navy.
At today’s ceremony, His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also awarded the Panglima Setia Angkatan Tentera (PSAT) to 13 recipients, Pahlawan Angkatan Tentera (PAT) to 43 recipients, Kesatria Angkatan Tentera (KAT) to 112 recipients, and Bentara Angkatan Tentera (BAT) to 116 recipients.
A total of 587 recipients were honored with medals during this year’s Royal Military Decorations Award Ceremony, which took place in two sessions. The first session was held today, with the participation of 293 medal recipients, while the second session is scheduled for October 19, 2023, involving 294 medal recipients.
The awarding of the Royal Military Decorations is granted to qualified officers and other ranks for their dedicated service and sacrifices within the Malaysian Armed Forces. Five classes of Military Decorations are specifically designated for Armed Forces personnel: Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera (PGAT), Panglima Setia Angkatan Tentera (PSAT), Pahlawan Angkatan Tentera (PAT), Kesatria Angkatan Tentera (KAT), and Bentara Angkatan Tentera (BAT).
Also present at the ceremony were the Senior Defence Minister; YB Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Hasan, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence; Datuk Seri Isham bin Ishak, and the Deputy Chief of the Air Force; Lieutenant General Datuk Seri Haji Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris RMAF.