RAMD 26 troops celebrate Aidilfitri at border for country’s security
KENINGAU: Being away from the family on Aidilfitri is a major sacrifice made by the members of the 26th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD 26) who will be celebrating at the border to keep country secure.
Met at the Keningau Tactical Headquarters here, members of RAMD 26 under the command of the Fifth Infantry Division, are aware of the loneliness of being away from their families, but for them the most important responsibility is to maintain national security on the border of Sabah, Malaysia and North Kalimantan, Indonesia.
RAMD 26 commanding officer Lt-Col Mohd Fuad Md Ghazali says while celebrating Aidilfitri at the border away from home is different, doing so with his comrades has its own contentment.
“With the family at Aidilfitri and at the border, the atmosphere is different and the clothes are also different. But now thanks to technology, we can contact our families to keep long-distance relations warm.
“Regardless, this is something I have to do to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining national security,” he said.
A ‘Bagan Datuk boy’, Mohd Fuad said he had celebrated Aidilfitri several times at the military camp during his 30 years of service as a member of the army, but this year would be the first time for him to celebrate at the border as the front line of guarding the country’s security.
The RAMD 26 team have been carrying out Op Balasah in the last three months at the Malaysia-Indonesia border, involving 12 control posts such as Serudong and Long Pasia to curb various elements including cross-border criminals.
For Capt (Dr) Nur Alia Syuhada Zakaria, she also said it would be the first time for her celebrating Hari Raya at the border with her mostly male colleagues.
“Women or men, we go through thin and thick together. It’s fun here but of course we also miss our parents – mine are far away in Kelantan. But they understand my call of duty and they always remind me to take care of myself,” said Nur Alia, who hails from Kota Bharu.
A soldier of four years, she said she missed having ‘ketupat’ wrapped in ‘palas’ leaves during the celebration because the food – commonly found in Kelantan and Terengganu – is very difficult to find in Sabah.
Warrant Officer I Ismail Mohamad said that despite being at the border, he and members of RAMD 26 will be holding an Aidilfitri celebration at the Keningau Tactical Headquarters, including decorating the headquarters and cooking dishes including ‘ketupat’, ‘rendang’ and ‘lemang’.
“My mother is far away in Kedah, but she understands my responsibility here.
“Even my wife, son and daughter who are in the Kukusan Camp in Tawau are not with me during this celebration.
“But members of RAMD 26 are like brothers and sisters who celebrate together,” he said.
Ismail, from Baling, Kedah has served 22 years and hoped the people would appreciate the sacrifices of military personnel by ensuring the harmony of the people from various backgrounds is always maintained, further ensuring Malaysia is always peaceful.
Fifth Division commander Maj-Gen Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman said the Aidilfitri celebration is held at the Keningau Tactical Headquarters to boost the morale of 26 RAMD members.
Malek, who visited the headquarters to see for himself the preparations for the celebration and share the excitement with his members, fully understood the feelings of celebrating Aidilfitri at the border, having done so throughout his 42 years of service as a military man.
“In the past, celebrating Aidilfitri at the border was more challenging, especially since there was no communication facility with family like now.
“The Hari Raya card became a cure for our homesickness and we all waited for the card to arrive. There were no Raya songs at that time because the radio was not like it is now.
“From the past to the present, what is the same is that the spirit of our military personnel never fades. Even though we celebrate Aidilfitri at the border, we are willing to defend the country we love,” he said.
The spirit of ‘Nerang Separang’ (‘Agility to Fight’ in the Bajau language), the motto of the Fifth Division, reflects their spirit of sacrificing everything to ensure Malaysia and the people are always in peace and prosperity despite facing all challenges. — Bernama