HIS Royal Highness General Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, General of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, was yesterday awarded an honorary Green Beret during his visit to the Iskandar Camp in Mersing, Johor.

The Defence Ministry, in a statement, said the Special Forces Group Honorary Green Beret has a symbolic link with the 40th British Royal Marine Commando Regiment, Bernama reported.

Accorded by many special forces around the world, the Green Beret is worn together with a light blue lanyard similar to that of the 40th British Royal Marine Commando Regiment.

“This is because the Special Forces Group training was originally conducted by the 40th British Royal Marine Commando Regiment,” it said, adding that a soldier would be enlisted as a member the Special Forces Group after undergoing a three-month basic commando training at the camp as well as in the forest, swamp and sea.

The arrival of His Royal Highness at the Officer’s Mess, Iskandar Camp, was greeted by General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Zulkifeli bin Mohd Zin, Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces; General Datuk Raja Mohamed Affandi bin Raja Mohamed Noor, Chief of the Malaysian Land Forces; and Brigadier General Dato’ Effendi bin Abdul Karim, Chief of the 21 Malaysian Special Force Group (GGK).

His Royal Highness was then invited to the 21 GGK Parade Square. On hand to welcome His Royal Highness was Lt Col Fouzi bin Sulaiman, Chief Staff 21 GGK Camp.

His Royal Highness then walked to the dais where His Royal Highness was given the General Salute and then inspected the Guard of Honour mounted by the GGK army personnel.

After the inspection, His Royal Highness walked back to the dais for a second General Salute.

His Royal Highness then proceeded to GGK Headquarter and was introduced to Staff Officers of GGK Camp, and then invited to the Eagle Room where His Royal Highness was briefed on the roles and functions of GGK delivered by Brigadier General Dato’ Effendi bin Abdul Karim, Chief of the 21 GGK.

His Royal Highness then signed a visitor’s book, and later proceeded to the Parade Square for the Honorary Green Beret Awarding Ceremony.

The Honorary Green Beret Awarding Ceremony began with a special demonstration whereby a parade carrying the Honorary Green Beret was brought in to the Parade Square.

The Honorary Green Beret was then handed over to General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Zulkifeli bin Mohd Zin, Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces, who later handed over the Honorary Green Beret to His Royal Highness. General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Zulkifeli then fasten a Light Blue lanyard, GGK Steel Wing and ‘Gerak Khas’ Badge. The installation was perfected with a belt and a bayonet.

Shortly after that, a Declamation of the Green Beret was delivered, followed by a commando shout by GGK personnel.

A doa was then recited by Major Ustaz Hanafi bin Hassan.

His Royal Highness was then given the General Salute, and later, boarded a special vehicle towards the Shooting Ground where His Royal Highness witnessed a demonstration performed by the Anti-Terrorism Unit.

After the demonstration, His Royal Highness proceeded for a Photo Session.

His Royal Highness then proceeded to the Close-Range Combat House and witnessed ‘Room Entry’ and ‘Hostage Rescue’ demonstrations.

Shortly after, His Royal Highness proceeded to the Special Boat Squadron’s Hangar for a luncheon with GGK personnel.

Before the luncheon, Brigadier General Dato’ Effendi bin Abdul Karim, Chief of the 21 Malaysian Special Force Group (GGK) delivered his welcoming remarks.

After the lunch, His Royal Highness received a ‘pesambah’ from Brigadier General Dato’ Effendi bin Abdul Karim, Chief of the 21 Malaysian Special Force Group (GGK). His Royal Highness in return, presented a plaque to the Chief of the 21 Malaysian Special Force Group and later invited to the MK 21 GGK Parade Square where His Royal Highness to receive the Guard of Honour.

His Royal Highness then walked to the dais and was given the General Salute.

Iskandar Camp is located 15 kilometres in the South of Mersing with an area of approximately 810 hectares.

Accompanying His Royal Highness was Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein, Minister of Defence, Malaysia, as the Minister-in-Attendance.

Also accompanying His Royal Highness were Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Minister of Development; Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II, at the Prime Minister’s Office; Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Paduka Haji Ishaaq bin Haji Abdullah, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Malaysia; and Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah, Deputy Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman, yesterday night depart Johor, Malaysia, after a six-day official visit to Malaysia.

Accompanying Their Royal Highnesses were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Muntaqim dan Her Royal Highness Princess Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah.

Before departing, a Doa Selamat was read by Pehin Khatib Awang Haji Metassan bin Haji Tahir.

Present at the Senai International Airport, Johor, to bid farewell to Their Royal Highnesses were Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein, Minister of Defence, Malaysia and wife; Dato’ Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin bin Syed Hassan, Chief Protocol of Malaysia; senior officials of the Secretary of the State of Johor, and Exco members.

Also at the airport to bid farewell were Dato Paduka Haji Ishaaq bin Haji Abdullah, the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Malaysia and his spouse.

Their Royal Highnesses then walked past a static guard mounted by 28 personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

Shortly before boarding the plane, a Doa Selamat was read and soon after His Royal Highness received a ‘pesambah’ from Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein, the Minister of Defence, Malaysia.

Accompanying Their Royal Highnesses were Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Minister of Development; Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II, at the Prime Minister’s Office; and Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office. - Borneo Bulletin (14 November 2013)