His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, on Thrusday graced the Sovereign’s Parade of the 23rd Intake of Officer Cadets from the Officer Cadet School (OCS), Defence Academy, Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
The ceremony took place at the Parade Square of the Defence Academy RBAF in Kampung Tanah Jambu. Upon arrival, His Majesty was welcomed by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, and RBAF Commander Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan.
Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Upon arrival, His Majesty received the Royal Salute and inspected the parade, comprising Officer Cadets from the 23rd Intake under the command of 1201 Captain Nursazwilla binti Rosdie.
During the ceremony, His Majesty delivered a titah and presented awards to outstanding Officer Cadets of the 23rd Intake. The Sword of Honour was awarded to Officer Cadet Nor Azwar Zuwairey bin Haji Norshamli for excellence across all aspects of training.
The Best Academic Award was presented to Officer Cadet Dayangku Nur Muta’wakillah binti Pengiran Haji Mohd Ali for exceptional academic performance. The Best Military Skills Award was conferred upon Officer Cadet Muhd Nizam Saadudin bin Mohd Yusof, RBN, for excellence in military skills, and the Best in Physical Training Award went to Officer Cadet (U) Muhd Irfan Affendy bin Muhd Eddy Rizwan Affendy for remarkable physical training achievements.
The parade ended with the enthusiastic cheer of “Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik” and a Doa read by Acting Director of the RBAF Religious Directorate Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Mujib bin Haji Japar.
His Majesty proceeded to the Defence Academy RBAF’s Ceremonial Hall, where the monarch received a Pesambah titled ‘Al-Intisar Al-Basala’ (Triumph of Valor) and a Buku Perjalanan (Journey Book), documenting the 50 weeks of intensive training undertaken by the 23rd Intake since February 12, 2024.
A total of 52 Officer Cadets, comprising 39 male officers and 13 female officers, were commissioned during the parade. Among them were 25 officers commissioned into the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), 17 officers commissioned into the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), 9 officers commissioned into the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) and 1 international officer cadet commissioned into the Malaysian Army, Malaysian Armed Forces.
The Sovereign Parade marks the culmination of the Officer Cadet School’s rigorous training programme, aimed at equipping newly commissioned officers with the knowledge, discipline, professionalism, and leadership skills necessary to serve in the RBAF and beyond.
The ceremony concluded with His Majesty’s Junjung Ziarah with the newly commissioned officers and their families, followed by a group photo session. His Majesty also signed the Royal Parchment to commemorate the event. – Lyna Mohammad
