Malbatt peacekeepers mark Malaysia Day far from home

KUALA LUMPUR: For Malaysian soldiers serving in southern Lebanon, Malaysia Day is a reminder of the peace and unity they have left home to help safeguard, even as they operate thousands of kilometres away.

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) Malaysian Battalion 850-13 (Malbatt) commander Colonel Mohd Rizal Mohd Ali said this year's celebration carried added significance as the contingent marks the final year of Malaysia's nearly two-decade presence in southern Lebanon under the United Nations flag.

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Malbatt 850-13 has been serving there since November 2025 and will conclude its mission by the end of this year, following the expiry of the Unifil mandate, before returning to Malaysia in January next year.

Rizal said serving in an active war zone had given Malaysian soldiers a deeper appreciation of the peace enjoyed by people back home.

"The independence and peace that we have inherited through the sweat and blood of our forefathers must continue to be safeguarded by loving our country wholeheartedly while, at the same time, strengthening our identity as Malaysians.

"Malaysia's diversity and multicultural character are further strengthened through the principle of tolerance.

"This is one of the key factors that has allowed the blessing of peace to endure, and it is something that we must preserve and defend for generations to come," he said.

He said the responsibility of representing Malaysia overseas extended beyond carrying the Jalur Gemilang, with every soldier expected to uphold the standards and values of the armed forces.

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"Malbatt represents Malaysia, and Malaysia is represented by Malbatt. This responsibility and trust are both significant and demanding, and they must be embraced wholeheartedly by every personnel serving here."

Rizal said the contingent had remained highly vigilant amid an unpredictable security situation, including a 66-day period of heightened tensions.

He said every movement, particularly outside the camp, continued to prioritise safety and security.

"I am extremely proud that every Malbatt officer and personnel has remained vigilant and maintained the highest level of operational readiness.

"Without this strong sense of discipline and self-control, lives could very well be at stake," he said.

Being away from their families during important occasions remained one of the challenges faced by the personnel.

"However, as human beings, we naturally feel a deep longing for our families when we are separated from them for long periods, especially during important occasions such as Malaysia Day, Merdeka Day and Hari Raya Aidilfitri," he said.

Despite being away from Malaysia, Rizal said the contingent recreated familiar Malaysian traditions at UNP 2-1 Camp Ma'rakah to ease their homesickness.

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He said the goodwill built by previous Malbatt contingents with the local community had also helped the current contingent carry out its mission.

"The human touch, compassion and genuine care demonstrated by previous contingents have left lasting and meaningful memories among the local people. That legacy has greatly facilitated the work of Malbatt 850-13," he said.