Army Chief Calls For Unity, Integrity And Will To Win

MELAKA, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Army must remain united, uphold integrity and cultivate a strong will to win in addressing current and future security challenges, said Army Chief General Datuk Azhan Md Othman.

He said an increasingly uncertain geopolitical and geostrategic landscape has resulted in spillover effects from major power rivalries to dominate global economic and trade systems, posing significant implications for national security.

“The rapid advancement of global technology has also influenced the nature of modern warfare. The Army cannot afford to lag and must move decisively to confront future warfare concepts that are technology-driven,” he said when delivering his First Order of the Day address as the 31st Army Chief at Dataran Parawood, Kem Terendak here today.

Azhan said the Army is also facing non-traditional threats, including cross-border crime, climate change, natural disasters and hybrid threats, which have implications for national sovereignty and interests.

He stressed that the Army’s leadership philosophy of a ‘will to win’ goes beyond the desire to succeed or appear strong, and reflects a firm resolve to prevail in all aspects, including operations, training, readiness, decision-making, religious values and trust.

“At this moment, the Army is also weathering a storm that has resulted in a deficit of public trust. Day after day, we are criticised and ridiculed, seemingly without end,” he said.

Azhan outlined two key guiding principles for Army personnel, namely, their identity as members of the Malaysian Army, and the warrior ethos and knight’s pledge, which encompass piety, loyalty, sacrifice, discipline, sincerity and trustworthiness.

He stressed that all officers and personnel must carry out their duties with transparency and integrity, adding that he would not compromise with anyone who engages in corruption or abuses power.

Azhan also underscored the importance of effective leadership, leadership development to prepare future leaders, strong intellectual capacity, technological competence, as well as coordinated and effective training, and called on all Army personnel to reunite and work together to restore the organisation’s excellence and honour.

The address was delivered during a combat parade involving 38 officers and 1,356 other ranks from the 10th Brigade (Para), 21st Special Service Group and three divisions, led by the Commanding Officer of the 18th Royal Malay Regiment (Para), Lieutenant Colonel Mohd Ashafiq Abdul Aziz.

The 31st Army Chief’s First Order of the Day was also broadcast live via social media platforms to allow Army personnel nationwide to follow and reflect on its key messages.

-- BERNAMA