SG AKAR CAMP, Thurs 28 July 2011 – His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam officiated the Sovereign’s Parade for the Fifth Intake of Officer Cadets at the Officer Cadet School, Sungai Akar Military Camp yesterday.

Five Air, eight Land and 11 Sea Force officer cadets graduated yesterday after being inspected by the monarch, who is also the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).

His Majesty arrived yesterday morning at the RBAF Sungai Akar and was given the Royal Salute by the officer cadets, their officers and their supporting escorts from the fifth intake.

His Majesty then conducted inspections on the assembly in open formation.

After finding the cadets and assembly satisfactory, the monarch returned to the Royal Dais to observe the series of marching drills, accompanied by a full military band with pipes.

The monarch, military officers, military delegates from other countries and proud family members looked on as the cadets performed crisp, sharply executed marching drills to mark the end of their training and the beginning of their military careers.

After he returned from the assembly, His Majesty gave a titah, and commended the cadets. He remarked that it was a “defining moment” for many of them. After the titah, His Majesty presented three of the graduating students awards for distinguishing excellence among the 5th Intake in Academics, Physical Training and Military School.

He also presented Air Force Officer Cadet Muhammad Adib Hj Hashim with the Sword of Honour, which represented excellence in all three fields.

After the events on the parade grounds, His Majesty was then escorted to the Officer’s Mess. There, the monarch took the opportunity to personally speak to the newly-graduated officer cadets as well as their family members.

His Majesty also received a pesambah from the Officer Cadets.

Muhammad Adib Hj Hashim, Sword of Honour recipient, described the traditional gift, given since the first intake, as having a pentagon,”from the bottom up … representing the five pillars of Islam,” he said.

“It also has (molecules) which represented the bonds between cadets. It also has logos of our units, which shows how the units work together.”

“It also has a DNA helix structure, with our motto, Setia, Takwa, Berani loyalty, faith and courage within,” he said, stating that it represented how those values were embedded in their core through training.

“It also has His Majesty’s crest above everything else,” he said noting it showed how His Majesty was the one leading and guiding them in their mandate “to defend the sovereignty of the country”.

His Majesty also received the officer cadets’ “journey book” which detailed their 42 weeks of training, and in honour of His Majesty’s 65th Birthday. The monarch was also presented with a cake, which he sliced with a ceremonial sabre.

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