LEST WE FORGET : LT CDR ANUAT BIN ALIAS, PGB

Lt. Cdr Anuar Bin Alias

• Naval Special Warfare Force (PASKAL), Royal Malaysian Navy.
• Served under the UN Peacekeeping Force in Angola in 1998.
• Successfully evaded an attack and rescued 30 passengers of a bus in Lomue Village, Angola, which was attacked by a rebel group in 1998.
• Awarded the PGB medal (Pingat Gagah Berani) in the year 2000 and is the only member of the TLDM (Royal Malaysian Navy) to be awarded this medal.

What is PASKAL?

PASKAL, short for Pasukan Khas Laut, is the elite special operations unit of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Analogous to the United States Navy SEALs, they specialize in maritime counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and unconventional warfare.

Established on 1 October 1982, after a 5-year setup period, with the purpose of enforcing Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) maritime claims through sea, air and land operations. 

UN PEACEKEEPING IN ANGOLA, 1998

Malaysian soldiers served as vital UN Military Observers during the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) in 1998. Deployed unarmed into high-risk territories, they monitored the fragile ceasefire between the Angolan government and UNITA rebels.

Key facts about their deployment include:

• The Mission: They operated in highly unstable zones heavily affected by rebel ambushes and hidden anti-tank landmines.
• Exceptional Valor: Elite operators like PASKAL’s Lt. Cdr. Anuar Bin Alias faced active combat engagements, successfully rescuing 30 civilians from a rebel bus ambush without carrying a weapon.
• National Honors: For their extraordinary bravery under the UN flag, individuals like Anuar were later awarded Malaysia’s highest gallantry medal, the Pingat Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB).

During his 1998–1999 deployment with the UN Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA), Lt. Cdr. Anuar Alias was involved in four major combat engagements. While the bus rescue is his most famous, his other three encounters showcase equal bravery:

• The Truck Ambush Rescue (November 1998): While patrolling the Huambo-Alto Hama route with a Portuguese observer and two Namibian peacekeepers, Anuar heard gunfire. Moving toward the noise, he spotted FAA soldiers ambushing a civilian truck. Arriving with his small team, they took control of the area and forced the attackers to flee, saving several lives. He later went back alone to rescue an overlooked, injured civilian woman.
• The Landmine Extraction: Anuar successfully rescued and extracted multiple UN peacekeepers from Namibia after their armored vehicle struck a landmine in a high-risk area.
• The Crossfire Escalate (Late November 1998): Anuar and his unit were caught in a direct fire fight near Alto Hama involving the National Police of Angola, the FAA, and UNITA rebel forces. During his operations in these highly dangerous zones, he also managed to safely extract nearly 20 children from active harm.

PGB

PGB stands for Pingat Panglima Gagah Berani (translated as the Star of the Commander of Valour). It is Malaysia's second-highest federal gallantry award, outranked only by the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP).

Key Facts About the PGB:

• The Award Criteria: Conferred by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) to members of the armed forces or law enforcement who display extraordinary bravery and courage in the face of the enemy.
• History: Established on July 29, 1960, to honor military personnel and police officers fighting security threats like the communist insurgency. It can also be awarded posthumously.
• Design: A silver five-pointed star featuring two crossed keris (traditional daggers) pointing upward beneath a royal crown.
• Benefits: Living recipients receive a prestigious monthly honorary allowance of RM1,500.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

28 July 2026: 1.52 p.m