RBAF Opens Military Legal Unit & Court Martial Centre
By M K Anwar

Bandar Seri Begawan – The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) yesterday officially opened the building of their Military Legal Unit and Court Martial Centre located in Bolkiah Garrison.

A ceremony was held yesterday morning with Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi, the Commander of the RBAF, as the chief guest.

In a speech, the chief guest acknowledged that the official opening of the unit's building is another milestone and development for the RBAF thus further ensures the effectiveness of the laws and disciplinary system of the military.

In highlighting the importance of the Military Legal Unit, the RBAF Commander said that the RBAF is not exempted from being allocated with its own draft of laws to administer the military affairs through the Brunei Darussalam Laws Section 149 of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Act.

He underlined the need for the RBAF Act to be fully used, saying that military laws should be administered by those who are skilled in the legal system.

The RBAF have already started planning and preparing for this since early 1999, said the Commander.

Three local officers with the proper legal knowledge have already filled the posts in the unit, thanks partly to the early planning. The unit said the Commander would become the prime mover in providing the appropriate, quality and consistent legal advice.

The establishment of the Military Court or Court Martial meanwhile is meant to fulfill the requirements of the Act that acknowledges the rights of military members to be judged at the Military Court level. Several qualified local officers have also chaired and become members of this Military Court.

The RBAF Commander further stated that it is already known that the basic groundwork and administration of the Ministry of Defence and the RBAF have always

prioritised a high level of discipline and members who contravened against the military ethics and discipline would dealt appropriately.

He further added that in reality, it cannot be denied that any defence institution will not operate if there is no discipline.

Earlier, the Acting Director of the Directorate of Personnel and Administration said that the Military Legal Unit and Court Martial Centre was established on 3rd March 2003 and was placed under the Directorate of Personnel and Administration. It moved to their new building in August this year after it was handed over to the RBAF.

He added that the unit have been working with the other armed forces and the Directorate of Operation and Planning in drafting the Rules of Engagement which at the moment is at its final phase.

The Rules of Engagement he said, is important as a guideline not only to ensure the effectiveness of actions taken but also to protect members of the armed personnel from a legal point of view.

The Commander of the RBAF after his speech officially opened the Military Legal Unit and later the Court Martial Centre. To bless the ceremony, a doa selamat was read by a senior religious officer in Bolkiah Garrison.

Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi then proceeded to tour the new building together with the other guests.

Also present yesterday was Pehin Dam Singamanteri Col (L) Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yasmin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence as well as other commanders in the RBAF and senior officers.

To commemorate the officiating ceremony, both the chief guest and the Permanent Secretary planted a tree.

The establishment of the Military Legal Unit and Court Martial Centre marks another milestone for the RBAF as it strives towards upholding the sovereignty and defence of the country.

It further highlights the RBAF commitment in ensuring a high level of integrity and professionalism of its personnel. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News