SIBU: Former First Warrant Officer Temenggong Kanang Langkau was almost moved to tears during the installation ceremony of the first Iban Brigadier-General in the history of Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).
Besides being promoted from the rank of colonel, Brigadier-General Stephen Mandaw is also the new commander of Ninth Infantry Brigade, after he took over the post from Brigadier-General Zulkapri Rahamat yesterday.
Armed Forces Chief General Datuk Zulkifeli Mohd Zin bestowed the new rank on Stephen in a ceremony held at the Third Battalion Royal Rangers Regiment (3RRD) camp in Mile 14, Oya Road here yesterday.
Kanang was present to witness the ceremony together with another Iban, Colonel (Rtd) Dunstan Nyaring Angking who once held a high rank in ATM.
“He (Stephen) is the pride of Ibans,” he said during a press conference after the ceremony.
Kanang said this would correct the misperception that promotion to high ranks in the military was reserved for those from Peninsular Malaysia rather than their counterparts from Sarawak and Sabah.
“It is no longer an issue as this showed everybody has an equal chance of getting promoted,” he quipped, and hoped that more Ibans would follow in Stephen’s footsteps.
Meanwhile, Nyaring said the promotion served as an honour to the Iban community.
“I hope we will not belittle Stephen. “I can say that he is not promoted because he is a Dayak or an Iban or because he comes from here.
“I am sure the Chief of Armed Forces and members of the council did not promote him on that. He was promoted in his own right,” he said.