Pahang Ruler Proud Of Tengku Hassanal For Completing PASKAU Course

ROMPIN, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, expressed his pride after the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, completed the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Special Air Service (PASKAU) Basic Course.

His Royal Highness said the achievement was a special moment not only for his son but also for the entire royal family of Pahang.

"Today is indeed a very special day for our family. With great pride, I witnessed the birth of a PASKAU member from within our family," he said during the Royal Banquet held in conjunction with the Closing Ceremony of the PASKAU Basic Course Series 32/25 at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Silver Jubilee Hall here today.

Also in attendance were the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah; Tengku Arif Bendahara Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri'ayatuddin Shah and his wife, Tengku Natasya Puteri Tengku Adnan.

Meanwhile, Al-Sultan Abdullah also conveyed his appreciation to the Chief of Air Force, General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris, who completed the PASKAU specialist training alongside Tengku Hassanal.

"I would like to congratulate the Chief of Air Force, who is now also recognised as a member of PASKAU. Although he has served as a fighter pilot before, he is now part of the nation's elite forces," he said.

Al-Sultan Abdullah said the success of all participants who completed the PASKAU training demonstrated the discipline, mental resilience, and strong commitment of the Royal Malaysian Air Force personnel in safeguarding the nation's security.

"The training conducted must never be compromised as it involves national security. I hope the RMAF will continue to enhance its human resource capabilities while maintaining high standards of fitness and discipline," he added.

Earlier, the Sultan of Pahang officiated the rank conferment ceremony, promoting the Tengku Mahkota from Captain to Major in the RMAF, effective Oct 18. His Royal Highness also presented the Blue Beret, Blue Lanyard, and PASKAU Dagger to him.

Al-Sultan Abdullah also conferred the Blue Beret, Blue Lanyard, and PASKAU Dagger to the Chief of Air Force and 22 other course participants during the closing ceremony held at Pantai Hiburan here.

Muhamad Norazlan said that Tengku Hassanal had agreed to undergo the PASKAU specialist training since July, which included various challenging modules such as special weapon shooting, hostage rescue training, aerial sniping, helicopter insertion and extraction, military free fall, combat search and rescue, and combat air rescue.

"These trainings reflect the efficiency and true capabilities of the RMAF's elite force in facing any form of threat. The PASKAU Basic Course Series 32/2025, which began on July 28 and concluded today, truly tested the mental, physical, and endurance limits of every participant," he said.

He said that of the 53 rank-and-file who began the course, only one officer and 21 other personnel completed it.

"This proves that only those with true grit and strong discipline are worthy of wearing the Blue Beret of PASKAU. Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of their hardships and was able to identify the actual needs of our special forces," he said.

Meanwhile, Second Lieutenant Muhammad Riduan Rahman, 27, said that a high fighting spirit, along with physical and mental endurance, were key factors in his success as the Best Participant of the PASKAU Basic Course Series 32/25.

He said the nearly four-month-long training at various locations fully tested his endurance, especially during a 190-kilometre mission while carrying a heavy backpack.

The officer from Sandakan, Sabah, said he developed an interest in special forces during childhood while watching National Day parades on television, captivated by the elite units in all-black uniforms.

"Since that moment, I have been determined to join the special forces. When the opportunity to join the RMAF arose, I immediately took the step to become part of the PASKAU family," said Muhammad Riduan, who has served in the air force for over a year.

-- BERNAMA