KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today conferred the Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera (PGAT) award on Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman at the 2026 Investiture Ceremony for the Malaysian Armed Forces Gallantry Awards (DKAT).
Malek Razak headed the list of 150 recipients in the first session of the ceremony held at the Throne Room of Istana Negara in conjunction with the 93rd Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Day celebrations.
The ceremony honoured the contributions, service and sacrifices of MAF officers and personnel of other ranks in fulfilling their mandate to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and security.
Sultan Ibrahim, who is the Supreme Commander of the MAF, also conferred the PGAT on Chief of Army General Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman.
Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, graced the ceremony, which was also attended by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Defence Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, as well as MAF service chiefs and senior officers.
During the ceremony, Sultan Ibrahim also conferred Honorary PGAT awards on four foreign military commanders.
They were Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces General Ukris Boontanondhat; Chief of the Republic of Singapore Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat; Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force Brigadier General (Air) Haszahaidi Ahmad Daud; and Philippine Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Arthur Mirasol Cordura.
His Majesty also conferred the Panglima Setia Angkatan Tentera (PSAT) on 22 recipients, the Pahlawan Angkatan Tentera (PAT) on 30 recipients, the Kesatria Angkatan Tentera (KAT) on 49 recipients, and the Bentara Angkatan Tentera (BAT) on 43 recipients.
The conferment of the DKAT award is being held in two sessions, with the second scheduled for October 22 at Dewan Perkasa, Wisma Perwira ATM.
The second session, expected to be officiated by Mohamed Khaled, will involve 490 recipients, bringing the total number of DKAT recipients to 640. — Bernama