After helicopter crash, promotion ceremony a reason to 'smile'

THE presentation of promotion insignias of 50 Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) officers by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the RBAF Supreme Commander and Minister of Defence in a ceremony yesterday, gave those in the military a reason to smile at a time when the soldiers were still reeling from the loss of their comrades in a recent tragic helicopter accident.

"I feel proud, happy of course, especially after what happened in the last few months," said newly-promoted 920 His Royal Highness Substantive Lieutenant Prince 'Abdul Mateen.

"It's good to give (us) a smile," he told The Brunei Times in a brief exchange shortly after His Majesty placed the rank on his shoulders at Berakas Garrison.

Following the news of the RBAF Bell 212 chopper accident which claimed the lives of 12 military personnel on July 20, His Majesty, who was accompanied by HRH, immediately went to the Royal Brunei Air Base to personally see the victims being flown in from the crash site.

HRH said as he is currently pursuing higher education, he will think about contributing to national development through serving the Ministry of Defence when the time comes.

On April 15, 2011, HRH made history in the Royal Military Academy (RMA) Sandhurst for Bruneian royalty when he completed the commissioning course as an officer cadet.

The prince's completion of the course of the 102nd intake of Sandhurst in a grand Sovereign's Parade, was attended by His Majesty who represented Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen was admitted to the Commissioning Course for Regular Army Officers along with 200 recruits in May 2010.The Brunei Times