SERDANG: The commissioning of new cadet officers from the Public University Reserve Officers Training Unit (Palapes) marks a vital contribution to strengthening the armed forces under the “Whole of Government, Whole of Society” (WoGoS) approach.
The Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, said the WoGoS concept required the cooperation of all government and private agencies, together with the involvement of every level of society, to defend the nation against increasingly complex threats.
“In facing present and future challenges, the armed forces have also introduced transformation and modernisation in phases, guided by the concept of the Future Force (Angkatan Masa Hadapan),” he said when officiating the 43rd Palapes Royal Commissioning Parade at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) today.
Tengku Amir Shah reminded the new officers that their oath of allegiance was not merely a recital of words but a sacred promise to the nation and its people.
“I urge you to remain active in voluntary military service across the nation, or to join the regular forces upon completing your university studies.
“It is my hope that with the basic military training you have undergone, you will emerge as disciplined citizens, bound by comradeship and guided by love for our sovereign homeland,” he said.
He added that the commissioning was not only a personal milestone but also the beginning of a greater responsibility as young leaders in society and as reserve defenders of the nation.
The Raja Muda also inspected the parade at UPM, where he was received by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, and UPM vice-chancellor Colonel (Honorary) Datuk Professor Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah.
Also in attendance were the service chiefs of the armed forces.
With the consent of the King of Malaysia, a total of 1,927 Palapes cadet officers from 20 public universities nationwide were commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the armed forces reserve.
The parade also featured the presentation of the Sword of Honour to 39 of the best cadet officers from each service branch.
Following the ceremony, Tengku Amir Shah presented commissioning scrolls to the new officers, comprising 1,098 junior officers of the Territorial Army Regiment (RAW), 431 junior officers of the Royal Malaysian Navy Volunteer Reserve, and 398 junior officers of the Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (PSSTUDM).
The event concluded with the recital of the Officers’ Oath of Allegiance.
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