Defence Academy, Friday, 17 May 2019 – Seven years have passed since the helicopter crash that tragically took the lives of 12 RBAF military personnel at Ulu Rampayoh in Mukim Labi in the Kuala Belait district. In conjunction with the holy month of Ramadhan, the Intake 18 officer cadets, once again, had the opportunity to hold a cleaning campaign and Tahlil recital to and for our fallen heroes.
Prior to deployment at 1530 hours, the intake was divided into four groups as the activity concurrently took place at four different locations of cemeteries. One Platoon was deployed to the Jame’ Asr Cemetery where they had the chance to visit the cemeteries of our fallen heroes including 770 Cpt Md Ismael bin Dato Setia Haji Samid, 765 Lt (U) Pg Haji Arif Iskandar bin Pg Haji Shahbuddin, 810 Lt Md Khairol Mahdi bin Haji Shahri and 18223 LCpl (U) Khairuddin bin Haji Abbas. The activity was also participated by the Commanding Officer of OCS, Lieutenant Colonel Haji Amirul Adly bin Haji Ali, Platoon 1 Commander, duty instructors as well as senior officers, officers and the personnel of the Defence Academy.
Simultaneously, led by Three Platoon Commander and instructors, Section 1 and 2 of Three Platoon were honoured to visit the Mentiri Muslim Cemetery where the cemetery of the 17808 Cpl Mohd Mahdinie bin Nuruddin is situated. Meanwhile, Section 1 and 2 of Two Platoon went to visit late 21700 OCdt Dk Nurazimah binti Pg Hassanan at Kampung Pulaie Muslim Cemetery with their Platoon Commander and instructors. Section 3 of Two and Three Platoon had the privilege to visit the Tanjong Nangka Cemetery where the late soul of 21703 OCdt Farhana binti Jaidin had been laid to rest. Also present with the Intake 18 officer cadets were the Commandant of Defence Academy, Colonel Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Acting IC of Intake 18, senior officers, officers and personnel of the Defence Academy.
Before leaving to their respective destinations, the intake made preparation for the cleaning campaign. The cleaning kits included rakes, towels, brooms, buckets and trash plastic bags. The event began with a cleaning campaign around the cemetery followed by the recitation of Tahlil. Each group had an appointed Imam to lead the prayer – One Platoon was led by 53212 OCdt Mohamad Zairul Hafiy bin Haji Mat Zaini, Two Platoon was led by 53207 OCdt Md Fakrul Amirin bin Ismail while Three Platoon was led by 53249 OCdt Mohammad Zulfitri bin Haji Zoferi. The Tahlil session was concluded by the pouring of Air Asah-Asahan.
The main objectives of the visit were to increase spiritual well-being as well as to remember and visit these fallen heroes from the Intake 08 helicopter crash. Their sacrifices will always be remembered and greatly valued by the country and religion. As such, Officer Cadets of Intake 18 were expected to reflect on the true meaning of sacrifices and risks the military job possesses. It is hoped that this Ramadhan activity will be appreciated by the Officer Cadets of intake 18 as well as to ensure their intentions in becoming future Officers in the RBAF must be intact with such sacrifices.
