Star of the Commander of Valour

The Star of the Commander of Valour (Malay: Panglima Gagah Berani) is a medal given by the government of Malaysia. The name translates to "General of Bravery and Valor". It can be conferred posthumously. The award was created on 29 July 1960. It was formally gazetted by an act of parliament on 11 August 1960.

Star of the Commander of Valour
Type	Order of Honour
Awarded for	Extreme courage and gallantry in combat.
Presented by	Malaysia
Eligibility	Members of Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysian Police
Post-nominals	P.G.B.
Ribbon	Diagonal stripes of white, blue, yellow and red.
Status	Currently issued
Established	29 July 1960
First awarded	1960
Last awarded	2017
Total	111
Ribbon of the PGB
Precedence
Next (higher)	Bentara Setia Diraja[1]
Next (lower)	Jasa Perkasa Persekutuan[1]

The medal takes the form of a five pointed silver star. Two kris lie under the Malaysian royal Crown on the star. The star is held by a ribbon with 45° stripes which slant right. The stripes alternative in red, white, blue and yellow.

Living recipients receive an allowance of RM 300 a month. The next of kin of posthumous recipients receive RM 15,000. A person may receive this award more than once.

Notable recipients

Warrant Officer 1 Kanang anak Langkau (901738)

Kanang anak Langkau of Simanggang, Sarawak was a Malaysian Ranger from the 8th Battalion Royal Rangers (also known as the 8th Paras) who was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa whilst still alive and a "Panglima Gagah Berani". He is the only person thus far to have received two gallantry awards in the Malaysian Armed forces.

He joined the service with the Sarawak Rangers as an Iban Tracker on 21 April 1962. He was absorbed into the Malaysian Rangers when Malaysia was proclaimed on 16 September 1963. He left the service after 21 years of service as a Warrant Officer 1.

At the Korbu Forest Reserve (Fort Legap) on the 1st of June 1979 while on a reconnaissance mission, he came upon an enemy camp and attacked it against forces who numbered more than his own. Two ranger and five enemy casualties occurred as a result of the encounter. Enemy equipment was also captured. For his actions he was conferred the "Pingat Gagah Berani".

Second Lieutenant David Fu Chee Ming (200772)

Second Lieutenant David Fu Chee Ming was the Platoon Commander of 8th Platoon of C Company, 4th Battalion Royal Rangers. He was tasked and placed in the Tanah Hitam area of Perak to track and destroy the enemy in his sector of operation.

On 27 August 1970, his platoon of 24 men made contact with a group of about 70 enemy combatants. The enemy unknowingly had entered his sector. Thus started a heavy and intensive battle lasting 7 hours. Under his unwavering leadership, the men fought on, successfully killed 4 of the enemy. His patrol did not suffer any casualties.

For his outstanding gallantry and bravery in the finest traditions of the Ranger Corps he was bestowed with the "Pingat Gagah Berani", by the King. He left after exemplary service as a Second Lieutenant.

Major Ismail bin Salleh (12171)

Major Ismail bin Salleh, Company Commander for the 6th Battalion Royal Rangers, was directed to carry out 'Operation Badak' in the Pelam Estate area, in Klian Intan, Perak. This operation was in response to intelligence that a group of enemy had infiltrated into the area via the Thai – Malaysian border.

At around 3 am on 23 August 1970 Major Ismail, along with Platoon 8 and Platoon 9, entered the area of operation with the intention of blocking enemy infiltrators. At around 4 pm on the same day Platoon 8 made contact with the forward elements of the enemy. In a brief and fierce firefight, four of the enemy were killed.

As a result, the enemy made a feint withdrawal. After a few minutes, the enemy launched a counterattack against Platoon 8. At that same time Major Ismail and Platoon 9 faced an attack from another enemy group. Artillery support was requested through Battalion Headquarters at Klian Intan Camp. While waiting for the requested artillery support, Ismail and his group managed to surround the enemy. In this position, he and his group exchanged fire with the enemy, successfully killing another and wounding a few of the enemy. As the artillery fire bore down on the enemy he directed his men to continue firing on the surrounded enemy. The enemy was estimated to be some 70 strong and armed with automatic weapons and high explosives.

The battle lasted for seven hours. Major Ismail bin Salleh was bestowed with the "Pingat Gagah Berani" for his bravery in the face of the enemy by His Majesty the King. He retired from the service with the rank of a Colonel.

Second Lieutenant Baharin bin Abd Jalil (410560)

Second Lieutenant Baharin bin Abd Jalil was a Platoon Commander in A Company of the 1st Battalion Royal Rangers. He was tasked to conduct blocks in a number of places around Kampung Goebilt, Sarawak in "Operation Hentam". Blocks are positions where a unit acts as a stopping force, the anvil. The pursuing force, the hammer, would fire-fight the enemy into the anvil to be decimated efficiently. This "Hammer and Anvil" tactic is widely used in jungle warfare.

On 12 March 1971, two Communist Terrorists met the villagers of Kampung Goebilt to get food supplies. The villagers obliged by giving them some food, after which they quickly informed the members of the 1st Battalion Royal Rangers. This resulted in one of the food collecting Terrorists being captured.

After gathering further information, 2Lt Baharin broke up his platoon into small groups. He teamed up with 901111 Ranger Lan Anak Gima. These two managed to detect a group of enemy. The group of enemy was estimated to be around 10. They managed to make contact with the enemy.

These two formidable characters fought the enemy in a fierce running gun battle. 2Lt Baharin and Ranger Lan ak Gima between themselves killed 13 of the enemy. The King bestowed the "Pingat Gagah Berani", on 2Lt Baharin bin Abd Jalil for valour in the highest traditions of the Ranger Corps. He retired from the service with the rank of Major.

Ranger Lan Anak Gima (901111)

On 12 March 1971, two Communist Terrorists met the villagers of Kampung Goebilt to get food supplies. The villagers obliged by giving them some food, after which they quickly informed the members of the 1st Battalion Royal Rangers. This resulted in one of the food collecting Terrorists being captured.

After gathering further information, 2Lt Baharin broke up his platoon into small groups. He teamed up with Ranger Lan Anak Gima. These two managed to detect a group of enemy. The group of enemy was estimated to be around 10. They managed to make contact with the enemy.

These two formidable characters fought the enemy in a fierce running gun battle. 2Lt Baharin and Ranger Lan ak Gima between themselves killed 13 of the enemy. The King bestowed the "Pingat Gagah Berani", on Ranger Lan Anak Gima.

Private Ielias Ibrahim

The only recipient that comes from Rejimen Askar Wataniah. Retired as Regimental Sergeant Major of PALAPES in Universiti Sains Malaysia

ASP Zabri Bin Abdul Hamid

The first death casualty for the Special Operation Forces of Royal Malaysian Police,Very Able Troopers 69 or VAT 69 Commando

Sergeant Baharuddin Ramli and Sergeant Norihan a/l Tari

Both recipients were first awarded cime from Senoi Praaq. Both was shot by smugglers at Malaysia-Thailand border near Padang Besar on 24 November 2020 with Baharuddin was killed instantly.

References

1. "PANDUAN PENCALONAN DKBPP 2018" (PDF). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 5 September 2018. (in Malay)

External links

• Malaysia: Star of the Commander of Valour