KOTA KINABALU: The ‘Daulat Feb 2013’ Battle Honours award presentation is not merely a symbolic event, but also to remind the people to not take the country’s security and defence for granted, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
He said the ceremony, held for the first time, was to remind the people of how difficult it was for the security forces involved in ‘Ops Daulat’ in handling the atatcks by the Philippine terrorists in Lahad Datu in February 2013 in which 10 security personnel were killed.
“To ensure the sovereignty and dignity of Malaysia as an Independent country are not tainted, they (security forces) sacrificed their sweat, tears and blood to keep the country safe and secure,” he said at the opening ceremony of the Daulat Feb 2013 Battle Honour ceremony at Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu here on Friday night.
A total of 230 officers and 1,880 personnel from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) participated in the ‘Daulat Feb 2013’ Battle Honours Parade.
At the event, Hishammuddin also presented the ‘Pingat Kedaulatan Negara (PKN)’ to ATM 61 officers and personnel who were directly involved in ‘Ops Daulat’.
Hishammuddin said the ‘Daulat Feb 2013’ Battle Honours was a recognition and tribute to all wings of the ATM who were involved in the operation to be displayed on their colours.
The Battle Honour award was bestowed on 24 teams involved in the Lahad Datu incursion. because of their sincerity, efficiency and perseverance when facing the tough challenges, he added. — Bernama