Latest news with #Malbatt850-13
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Malaysian UN troops in Lebanon remain safe
JOHOR BARU: Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon under the UN mission remain safe, despite security threats in the region, says Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan. He confirmed that no high-risk incidents have been reported involving the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 850-12, deployed since November last year. "We are concerned about possible uncontrolled actions by conflicting parties that could lead to them opening fire in our operational area," he said. Contingency measures, including bunker construction, have been taken to ensure troop safety, he said. He spoke after attending a gathering at Dewan Serigala, Ulu Tiram Camp, with families of Malbatt 850-12 personnel. Also present was his wife Puan Sri Hartiah Hamzah, who is chairman of the Armed Forces Family Welfare Body (Bakat). During the event, families were honoured and allowed live video calls with their loved ones in Lebanon. Contributions and welfare aid were distributed, especially to those with family members with health issues. Hafizuddeain said Malbatt 850-12 will return in stages by November and be replaced by Malbatt 850-13. He said that during their deployment so far, personnel have been allowed to take annual leave, and they have now begun to go on a month-long leave in stages. Malbatt 850-13 will include about 850 personnel, with a Royal Brunei Armed Forces platoon. "The new team will be formed soon and is currently in the process of selecting the commander and staff officers. "The unit selected for Malbatt 850-13 is the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment based in Sungai Ara, Penang. The team will be assembled next month to undergo integrated force training in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, he said. Meanwhile, Nur Fazliana Mazli, 33, said she supports her husband Corporal Muhammad Fared Amran's mission in Lebanon, despite their year-long separation. Their five-year-old child, who has a heart condition, is undergoing treatment. "I told my husband not to worry about us here and to focus on his duty," she said.
The Star
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malbatt 850-12 troops to return from Lebanon in phases by November
JOHOR BARU: The current Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 850-12 force in Lebanon will come home in phases by November, says Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan. He added that they would be replaced by Malbatt 850-13, and the selected personnel would be called up for training soon before being deployed. 'It will be the same number of troops, about 850 officers and personnel, including one platoon from the Royal Brunei Artillery Force joining Malbatt. 'A committee will be set up to choose the commander and staff officers involved. The selected unit is the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment based in Sungai Ara,' he told the media after meeting Malbatt 850-12 personnel's families near Ulu Tiram here on Monday (May 5) evening. He added that the Malbatt 850-13 training will be held at Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan. Gen Hafizuddeain assured the families that Malbatt forces in Lebanon were safe despite the current situation in the Middle East. 'We are concerned about the possibility of uncontrolled actions by the parties in conflict there, which might result in gunfire reaching our area of assignment. 'Alhamdulillah, so far there have not been any high-risk incidents, though we remain vigilant,' he added. Malbatt 850-12 has been deployed since November under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) peacekeeping mission.
