Star of the Commander of Valour explained

Star of the Commander of Valour
Presenter:	Malaysia
Type:	Order of Honour
Eligibility:	Members of the armed forces or law enforcement
Awarded For:	Extraordinary valour and courage in the face of the enemy.^[1]
Status:	Currently issued
Post-Nominals:	P.G.B. or PGB
Established:	29 July 1960
Firstawarded:	31 August 1958
Lastawarded:	2023
Total Awarded:	98
Total Awarded Posthumously:	17
Total Recipients:	115
Higher:	Order of Loyalty to the Royal Family of Malaysia^[2]
Lower:	Federation Gallantry Star
Ribbon:	Diagonal stripes of white, blue, yellow and red.

The Star of the Commander of Valour (Malay: Panglima Gagah Berani) is a medal awarded by the Malaysian government. The award was established on 29 July 1960, and it was formally gazetted by an act of parliament on 11 August 1960. It is Malaysia's second highest gallantry award, coming in second only to the Grand Knight of Valour .

Only members of the military (i.e. all services under the Malaysian Armed Forces) and members of law enforcement forces (e.g. Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysia Coast Guard) are eligible for the award. It can be bestowed posthumously.^[3]

When compared to British Armed Forces military awards, this award is equivalent to the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

Act 616

Living recipients receive a monthly allowance of RM300, according to Akta 616-Akta Panglima Gagah Berani (Elaun Kenangan) 2001. Posthumous recipients' next of kin receive RM 15,000 in compensation. This award may be given to the same person more than once.^[4]

The allowance may be revoked if any of the following conditions are met:

1. The recipient passed away.
2. The recipient is guilty of federal offences.
3. The award was revoked in accordance with Section VIII of the Panglima Gagah Berani Statute.

Appearance

The medal is made of pure silver and is shaped like a five-pointed star. On the star, two Kris lie beneath the Malaysian royal crown. A ribbon with 45° stripes slanting right holds the star. Stripes come in red, white, blue, and yellow.^[5]

List of recipients

As of the year 2023, 115 people have been awarded the Star of the Commander of Valour.^{[6] [7]}

	Name	Rank at the time	Year	Uniformed services	Unit at that time	Note
1		Lieutenant	1958		Malay Regiment	^[8]
2	Chong Yong Chin	Sergeant	1958		Federation Regiment
3	Hashim bin Jantan	Lance Corporal	1958		Malay Regiment
4	Mohamed Ghazali bin Haji Che Mat	Captain	1958		Malay Regiment
5	Choo Wah Soon	Lance Corporal	1961		Federation Reconnaissance Regiment
6	Maurice Lam Shye Choon	Captain	1963		Federation Reconnaissance Regiment
7	Neville Herbert Siebel	Lieutenant	1963		Federation Reconnaissance Regiment
8	Lee Ah Pow	Captain	1964		Malaysian Reconnaissance Regiment
9	Kamaruddin bin Mohd Jamal	2nd Lieutenant	1965		Royal Malay Regiment
10		2nd Lieutenant	1966		Royal Malay Regiment
11	Ismail bin Ghows	Major	1967		Royal Malay Regiment
12	Mahmor bin Said	Trooper	1968		Malaysian Special Service Unit
13	Baharin bin Abdul Jalil	2nd Lieutenant	1971		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
14	Dajai anak Anggie	Corporal	1971		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
15	David Fu Chee Ming	2nd Lieutenant	1971		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
16	Ismail bin Salleh	Major	1971		Royal Malay Regiment
17	Lan anak Gima	Ranger	1971		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
18	Mileng anak Kilong	Sergeant	1971		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
19	Unggek anak Antin	Ranger	1971		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
20	Wan Hassan bin Haji Wan Ahmad	2nd Lieutenant	1971		Royal Malay Regiment
21	Zi bin Yaakub	Private	1971		Royal Malay Regiment
22	Bajau anak Ladi	Ranger	1972		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
23	Indang anak Engkas	Sergeant	1972		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
24	Kassim bin Abdul Kadir	2nd Lieutenant	1972		Intelligence Corps
25	Mering anak Imang	Lance Corporal	1972		Malaysian Ranger Regiment	^[9]
26	Osman bin Shariff	Sergeant	1972		Royal Reconnaissance Regiment
27	Jantan bin Nyamat	Sergeant	1973		Royal Malay Regiment
28	Ahmad bin Adnan	Corporal	1973		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
29	Nyopis nak Noyeat	Corporal	1973		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
30	Robert Rizal bin Abdullah	Captain	1973		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
31	Salehuddin bin Abdul Mutalib	Lieutenant	1973		Royal Cavalry Corps
32	Samaon bin Ahmad	Captain	1973		Royal Malay Regiment
33	Abdullah bin Dolmat	2nd Lieutenant	1974		Royal Malay Regiment
34	Md Ali bin Ahmad	Trooper	1974		Malaysian Special Service Regiment	^[10]
35	Saafar bin Ibrahim	Corporal	1974		Royal Malay Regiment
36	Sigai anak Nawan	Trooper	1974		Malaysian Special Service Regiment	^[11]
37	Wilfred Gomez Malong	Inspector	1974	Royal Malaysia Police	Border Scouts, Police Field Force	^[12]
38	Zaki bin Nordin	Corporal	1974		Malaysian Special Service Regiment
39	Abdul Jalil bin Makmor	2nd Lieutenant	1975		Royal Malay Regiment
40	Abdul Rahim bin Abdul Rahman	Captain	1975		10 Squadron RMAF	^[13]
41	Ahmad bin Abdul Rashid	Captain	1975		Intelligence Corps
42	Arokiasamy Augustine U. Ubagarasamy	Sergeant	1975		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
43	Mahamad Basri bin Din	2nd Lieutenant	1975		Engineer Regiment
44	Mat Isa bin Hassan	Ranger	1975		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
45	Othman bin Ismail	Lance Corporal	1975		Royal Malay Regiment
46	Shanmuganathan Arampoo	Captain	1975		Malaysian Ranger Regiment	posthumous
47	Taib bin Awal	Private	1975		Royal Malay Regiment
48	Abdul Kadir bin Mat Jana	Sub-Inspector	1976	Royal Malaysia Police	Police Field Force
49	Choo Yeok Boo	Captain	1976		7 Squadron RMAF	posthumous
50	Gui Poh Choon	Chief Inspector	1976	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Investigation Division (D9), Criminal Investigation Department	^[14]
51	Basri bin Omar	2nd Lieutenant	1976		Engineer Regiment	^[15]
52	Kulasingam Sabaratnam	Deputy Superintendent of Police	1976	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Investigation Division (D9), Criminal Investigation Department
53	Beliang anak Bali	Lance Corporal	1977		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
54		Private	1977		Territorial Army Regiment
55	Jamaludin bin Suriani	Warrant Officer II	1977		Intelligence Corps
56	Mat Zin bin Mat Yassin	Inspector	1977	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch	posthumous
57	Mohamad bin Salim	Constable	1977	Royal Malaysia Police	Police Field Force
58	Mohd Noh bin Hashim	Constable	1977	Royal Malaysia Police	Police Field Force
59	Muit bin Ahmad	Sergeant	1977		Malaysian Special Service Group	^[16]
60	Mohamad H. Piah bin Ali	Lieutenant	1978		Royal Malay Regiment
61	Panirchellvum Velaitham	2nd Lieutenant	1978		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
62	Salihuddin bin Saisi	Corporal	1978	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch
63	Kanang anak Langkau	Sergeant	1980		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
64	Roslan bin A. Rahman	2nd Lieutenant	1980		Royal Malay Regiment
65	Abdullah bin Babu	Major	1981		Royal Malay Regiment
66	Gunasegaran Naidu Ratinum	Inspector	1981	Royal Malaysia Police	Senoi Praaq, Police Field Force	posthumous
67	Ismail bin Haji Ahmad	Lance Corporal	1981		Royal Malay Regiment
68	Long anak Pandak	Corporal	1981	Royal Malaysia Police	Senoi Praaq, Police Field Force
69	Mohd. Aziz bin Mohd. Yusof	Detective Constable	1981	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch
70	Mohd. Zain bin Mohd. Noh	Sergeant	1981		Royal Malay Regiment
71	Ahmad Radzi bin Mohd Noor	Sergeant	1982
72	Abdul Kamal bin Salleh	Lance Corporal	1983		Royal Malay Regiment
73	Desmond Godfrey Lawrence	Superintendent of Police	1983	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch
74	Tachmi bin Ismail	Corporal	1983		Royal Malay Regiment
75	Micheal Riman anak Bugat	Sergeant	1984		Malaysian Ranger Regiment
76	Mohd Mashkor bin Muradi	Sergeant	1987	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Actions Unit
77	Nazaruddin bin Mohd Zain	Sergeant	1987	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Actions Unit
78	Borhan bin Daud	Inspector	1989	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch
79	Voon Ken Hong	Inspector	1989	Royal Malaysia Police	F Team, Special Branch
80	Ab Aziz bin Ab Latiff	Major	1994		Royal Malay Regiment
81		2nd Lieutenant	1994		Royal Malay Regiment	^[17]
82	Mohd Halim bin Khalid	Captain	1994		Royal Malay Regiment
83	Mohd Sabri bin Ahmad	Lance Corporal	1994		Royal Malay Regiment
84	Muhammad Juraimy bin Aripin	2nd Lieutenant	1994		Royal Malay Regiment
85	Rizal bin Ismail	Lance Corporal	1994		Royal Malay Regiment
86	Gani anak Binjoi	Sergeant	1995		Royal Ranger Regiment	posthumous
87	Suhaidi bin Saad	Lieutenant	1995		Royal Malay Regiment
88	Mohamad bin Baharom	Warrant Officer II	1996		Royal Intelligence Corps	^[18]
89	Mohd. Noor bin Razak	Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police	1996	Royal Malaysia Police	Jungle Squad 69, Police Field Force
90	Azman bin Muda	Constable	1997	Royal Malaysia Police	Pandan Indah Police Cottage
91	Mohd. Zahir bin Mamat	Lance Corporal	1997	Royal Malaysia Police	Pandan Indah Police Cottage
92	Ada bin Kulim	Lance Corporal	1998	Royal Malaysia Police	VAT 69 Commando
93	Anuar bin Alias	Commander	2000		Naval Special Force	^[19]
94	Mohd Shah bin Ahmad	Detective Sergeant	2001	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch
95	Sagadevan Rajoo	Detective Sergeant	2001	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch	posthumous
96	Mathew anak Medan	Corporal	2002		21st Special Service Group	posthumous^[20]
97	Mohd. Fakaruddin bin Zakaria	Constable	2007	Royal Malaysia Police	General Duty Branch, Semenyih Police Station	posthumous
98	Hisham bin Mahmood	Assistant Superintendent of Police	2012	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Actions Unit
99	Apot anak Saad	Sergeant Major	2013	Royal Malaysia Police	VAT 69 Commando
100	Abd. Aziz bin Sarikon	Sergeant Major	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	General Operations Force	posthumous
101	Azman bin Ampong	Corporal	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	VAT 69 Commando
102	Baharin Bin Hamit	Detective Sergeant Major	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch	posthumous
103	Ibrahim bin Lebar	Assistant Commissioner of Police	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch	posthumous
104	Michael anak Padel	Deputy Superintendent of Police	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch	posthumous
105	Mohd Azrul bin Tukiran	Corporal	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	General Operations Force	posthumous
106	Mohd Salleh bin Abd Razak	Corporal	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	VAT 69 Commando
107	Mohd Tarmizi bin Hashim	Corporal	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	VAT 69 Commando
108	Sabarudin bin Daud	Sergeant	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	VAT 69 Commando	posthumous
109	Salam bin Tugiran	Sergeant (S)	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	Transport Branch, Logistics and Technology Department	posthumous
110	Zulkifli bin Mamat	Assistant Superintendent of Police	2014	Royal Malaysia Police	VAT 69 Commando	posthumous
111	Datuk Leong Chee Woh	Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)	2017	Royal Malaysia Police	F Team, Special Branch
112	Md Radzi bin Md Isa	Deputy Superintendent of Police (Retired)	2017	Royal Malaysia Police	VAT 69 Commando
113	Baharuddin bin Ramli	Sergeant	2021	Royal Malaysia Police	3rd Battalion (Senoi Praaq), General Operations Force	posthumous^[21]
114	Norihan bin Tari	Sergeant	2021	Royal Malaysia Police	3rd Battalion (Senoi Praaq), General Operations Force
115	Mohamad Hasnal bin Jamil	Deputy Superintendent of Police	2023	Royal Malaysia Police	Special Branch	^[22]

Notable recipients

Baharin Abd Jalil

Major Baharin bin Abd Jalil, (Service number: 410560), was a Platoon Commander in A Company of the 1st Battalion, Malaysian Ranger Regiment (1 RANGER) at the time. He was a Leftenan Muda ('2nd Lieutenant') at the time. In Operation Hentam, he was tasked with conducting blocks in various locations around Kampung Goebilt, Sarawak. Blocks are positions where a unit, the anvil, acts as a stopping force. The pursuing force, the hammer, would fire-fight the enemy into the anvil, where it would be efficiently decimated. In jungle warfare, the "Hammer and Anvil" tactic is widely used.

Two Communist terrorists met the villagers of Kampung Goebilt on 12 March 1971, to obtain food supplies. The villagers obliged by providing them with food, and the members of the 1 RANGER were quickly informed. As a result, one of the food-collecting terrorists was apprehended. Baharin divided his platoon into small groups after gathering more information. He joined forces with Ranger Lan Gima. These two were successful in detecting a group of enemies. The enemy group was estimated to number around ten people. They were successful in making contact with the enemy.

In a fierce moving gunfight, these two formidable characters engaged the enemy. Baharin and Lan Gima killed 13 of the enemy themselves. The King awarded the PGB to 2Lt Baharin bin Abd Jalil for valour in the highest Ranger Corps traditions. He left the military with the rank of Major.

David Fu Chee Ming

Captain (retd), (b. 1945; Service number: 200772), was the Platoon Commander of the 8th Platoon of C Company, 4th Battalion, Malaysian Ranger Regiment at the time. He was tasked with tracking and destroying the enemy in his sector of operation in the Tanah Hitam area of Perak. He was a Leftenan Muda ('2nd Lieutenant') at the time.

On 27 August 1970, his platoon of 24 men came into contact with a group of approximately 70 enemy combatants. The enemy had accidentally entered his sector. Thus began a 7-hour-long heavy and intense battle. The men fought on under his unwavering leadership, killing four of the enemy. There were no casualties on his patrol.

The King awarded him the PGB for his outstanding gallantry and bravery in the finest traditions of the Ranger Corps. He retired as a Captain after a distinguished career.

Ielias Ibrahim

Warrant Officer Class 1 (retd) Ielias bin Ibrahim is the only PGB recipient from the Malaysian Army's reserve unit, the Territorial Army Regiment. Ielias retired as Regimental Sergeant Major of the Reserve Officer Training Unit at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Ismail Salleh

Colonel (retd), (Service number: 12171), then Company Commander of the 6th Battalion, Malaysian Ranger Regiment, was tasked with carrying out Operation Badak in the Pelam Estate area of Klian Intan, Perak. He held the rank of Mejar ('Major') at the time. This operation was launched in response to intelligence that a group of enemy infiltrators had infiltrated the area via the Thai-Malaysian border.

Ismail, along with Platoons 8 and 9, entered the area of operation around 3 a.m. on 23 August 1970, with the intention of blocking enemy infiltrators. Platoon 8 made contact with the enemy's forward elements around 4 p.m. on the same day. Four of the enemy were killed in a brief and fierce firefight. As a result, the enemy staged a withdrawal. The enemy launched a counterattack against Platoon 8 after a few minutes. At the same time, Ismail and Platoon 9 were targeted by another enemy group. The Battalion's HQ at Klian Intan Camp requested artillery support. Ismail and his group were able to surround the enemy while waiting for the requested artillery support. In this position, he and his group exchanged fire with the enemy, killing one and wounding several others. As artillery fire rained down on the enemy, he ordered his men to keep firing on the encircled enemies. The enemy was estimated to number around 70 people and to be armed with automatic weapons and high explosives.

The fight lasted seven hours. His Majesty the King bestowed the PGB on Major Ismail bin Salleh for his bravery in the face of the enemy. He left the military with the rank of Colonel.

Kanang Langkau

See main article: Kanang anak Langkau. Warrant Officer Class 1 (retd) Temenggung Datuk Kanang anak Langkau,, (b. 1945; d. 2013; Service number: 901738), of Simanggang, Sarawak, was a Malaysian soldier from the 8th Battalion, Malaysian Ranger Regiment (today known as the 8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment) who was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa. He is the only person in the Malaysian Armed Forces to have received two of the highest gallantry awards.

On 21 April 1962, he enlisted in the British Army as an Iban Tracker with the Sarawak Rangers. After Malaysia was established, he was absorbed into the Malaysian Rangers. He retired from the military after 21 years of service as a Warrant Officer Class 1.

On the 1st of June 1979, while on a reconnaissance mission in the Korbu Forest Reserve (Fort Legap), he came across an enemy camp and attacked it against forces that outnumbered his own. As a result of the encounter, two rangers and five enemies were killed. Enemy equipment was also confiscated. He was awarded the "Pingat Gagah Berani" for his actions.

Lan Gima

Ranger Lan anak Gima (Service number: 901111) served in the 1 RANGER. During Operation Hentam on 12 March 1971, he joined 2nd Lieutenant Baharin Abd Jalil on a manhunt mission. These two were able to detect a group of enemies numbering in the tens. They started the firefight and engaged in a fierce moving firefight with the enemy. Baharin and Lan Gima killed 13 enemies between them. The PGB was bestowed by the King on Ranger Lan anak Gima.

Mohd Ghazali Che Mat

General (retd) Tan Sri Mohd Ghazali bin Haji Che Mat was one of the first four recipients of the award. The four soldiers received the award on Malaysian Independence Day, two years before the award was officially gazetted by the Malaysian government. Mohd Ghazali, then Leftenan Muda ('2nd Lieutenant'), led Platoon 1 from A Company, 2nd Battalion, Malay Regiment on a routine patrol on 13 November 1957. The platoon notices an enemy platoon on top of a hill. Platoon 1 was spotted by the enemy while climbing the hill to set up an ambush and was pinned down by enemy shots from the top of the hill. Mohd Ghazali and one of his platoon members, Private Hassan Selati, decide to do a suicide charge towards the enemy's position after being unable to move for a long time, and they manage to kill two of the enemy. The enemy withdrew from their position after being surprised by the supposedly final charge from the two brave men, and Platoon 1 survived the firefight. The enemy platoon was later identified as the 37th/39th Liberation Platoon of the 5th Malayan Communist Party Regiment. Mohd Ghazali was appointed as the 8th Chief of the Defence Forces on 1 November 1985.

Voon Ken Hong

See main article: Voon Ken Hong. Chief Inspector (retd) Voon Ken Hong was a Malaysian intelligence police officer and Special Branch secret agent who participated in Operation Taloong during the Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–89). Voon retired from the service as a Chief Inspector in 1997.

External links

• Malaysia: Star of the Commander of Valour

Notes and References

1. Web site: Darjah Kebesaran Angkatan Tentera . Official Portal: Malaysian Army . Malaysian Army . 21 April 2021 . ms.
2. Web site: PANDUAN PENCALONAN DKBPP 2018. Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. 2018-09-05.
3. Web site: Darjah Kebesaran. 2021-09-12. army.mod.gov.my.
4. Web site: 2006. Akta 616 Akta Panglima Gagah Berani. 2020-09-12. Official Portal Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia. ms.
5. Book: Berita Tentera Darat Malaysia. Magazine. Malaysian Army Command. 2014. 200. Kuala Lumpur. 15. ms. Wira-wira Perkasa TD.
6. Web site: 19 October 2019. Senarai Penerima Kurniaan Panglima Gagah Berani. 2020-09-12. Portal Data Terbuka Malaysia. ms.
7. Web site: Toharudin Rasid. 2013-09-06. Episode 031: Anugerah Kepahlawanan Negara. 2020-09-13. Putera Lapis Mahang. ms.
8. Web site: Tentera Darat Malaysia - Pengorbanan. 2020-09-13. Official Portal of Malaysian Army. ms.
9. Web site: Ritchie. James Alexander. 2019-04-20. A Kayan warrior who killed five CTs. 2020-09-13. New Sarawak Tribune. en-US.
10. Web site: Akmar Hisham Mokhles, Datuk. 2018-03-18. Md. Ali: Komando Termuda Terima Pingat PGB. 2021-11-06. MYNEWSHUB. ms.
11. Web site: Haslina Bujang. 2017-11-15. Jejak Pahlawan Sarawak: Lans Koperal (B) Sigai Anak Endawan @ Nawan. 2021-11-06. The Patriots. ms.
12. Web site: Ritchie. James. 2013-02-08. Gomez — a fearless warrior who sacrificed for the nation. 2020-09-13. The Star.
13. Web site: Datuk Akmar Hisham Mokhles. 2018-02-15. Abdul Rahim: Pandu Helikopter Ditembak Musuh. 2020-09-13. MYNEWSHUB. ms.
14. Web site: Razali. Safeek Affendy. 2018-03-31. D9 unit formed to bring down secret societies. 2020-09-13. New Straits Times. en.
15. Web site: Datuk Akmar Hisham Mokhles. 2018-03-08. Basri: Pakar Pemusnah Bom, Jerangkap Samar. 2020-09-13. MYNEWSHUB. ms.
16. Web site: Zakaria. Badrul Kamal. 2016-12-09. Komando Muit risik komunis. 2021-11-06. Berita Harian. ms.
17. Web site: Marhalim Abas. 2017-09-21. PGB Holder Takes Over As Malbatt 850-5 CO. 2020-09-13. Malaysian Defence. en-US.
18. Web site: M.Daim. 2019-12-09. Insiden Guuleed Hotel: Tawar diri sebagai tebusan demi keselamatan tawanan lain. 2021-09-16. Air Times News Network. ms.
19. Web site: Datuk Akmar Hisham Mokhles. 2018-02-22. Anuar Alias: Hero Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia. 2020-09-13. MYNEWSHUB. ms.
20. Web site: Watt Zacchaeus. 2018-10-18. Ganti nama sekolah di Kanowit sempena mendiang komando Matthew Medan. 2020-09-13. Utusan Borneo. ms.
21. Web site: Senarai Penerima Panglima Gagah Berani Tahun 2021.
22. Web site: Senarai Penerima Panglima Gagah Berani Tahun 2023.