PUSPAHANAS' GRADUATES NOT JUST SOLDIERS, BUT STRATEGISTS, CUSTODIANS OF PEACE - MOHAMED KHALED

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin reminded graduates of the National Centre for Defence Studies (PUSPAHANAS) that their roles in military extend far beyond being soldiers, emphasising that they are thinkers, strategists, and future guardians of peace and security.

All 270 graduates, both local and foreign military officers, had achieved a milestone that went far beyond personal success, he added.

“I am confident this institution has equipped you with the knowledge, the exposure, and the tools necessary to navigate the complex defence challenges that await us.

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“Not just in Malaysia, but also in this region and around the world,” he said at the the PUSPAHANAS graduation ceremony 2025 today, in Putrajaya.

He also reminded them that graduating from PUSPAHANAS was not the finish line, but the start of a lifelong pursuit of knowledge to remain relevant and effective in a fast-changing security landscape.

“Technologies evolve faster than we imagine. At the same time, non-traditional threats are growing more complex (while) shifting power rivalries are rapidly shaping our geopolitical landscape,” he added.

Mohamed Khaled said the graduates are not trained merely to be soldiers or bearers of arms, but to be leaders who will one day determine missions, protect lives, and safeguard the security of the nation.

“Leadership is the backbone of the military profession. It demands clarity of direction, unity of effort, and the courage to act decisively, often under immense pressure.

“In chaotic environments, whether in combat, humanitarian missions, or disaster relief, effective leaders shape the outcomes,” he said while urging them to sharpen, embrace and use their leadership well for the benefit of mankind.

He also urged the graduates to never forget the purpose of their profession as custodians of peace, noting that their duty is to sustain peace where it thrives, reinforce it where it is fragile, and rebuild it where it has been compromised.

“Yes, you are trained in weaponry, tactics, and the harsh environments of the battlefields. But your higher mission goes far beyond the mechanics of combat.

“You are not shaped to seek war. You are forged to be brokers of stability and mediators of peace,” he said, adding that even in uniform, they carry the responsibility of being diplomats of dialogue and understanding, capable of deterring aggression and inspire cooperation.

Mohamed Khaled emphasised that the ultimate purpose of defence is not to seek conflict, but the preservation of peace and stability, and the prevention of chaos and human suffering.

He said PUSPAHANAS has the perfect environment to seed and nurture talents in defence, commending the vital role of Professional Military Education (PME) in shaping professional judgment, building strategic foresight, and sharpening the intellectual edge that defines a modern, credible, and respected armed force.

“Its greatest strength lies in its ability to bring together brilliant minds from diverse nations, cultures, and services into the same space. Not only does this institution sharpen strategic thinking. It also cultivates understanding, trust, and collaboration,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled told the graduates that the friendships and networks forged at PUSPAHANAS are strategic assets, capable of preventing conflicts, enabling future collaborative ventures, and rebuilding trust in moments of uncertainty.

Seventeen Malaysian senior officers with the ranks of Brigadier General and Colonel and seven foreign military senior officers received their course certificates and badges in the first session of today’s graduation ceremony, while 70 Malaysian senior officers with the rank of Lt Colonel as well as foreign military officers received their Master’s Degree in Social Science (Defence Studies) and badges during the second session.

Finally, 176 Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College (MAFSC) graduates received their diplomas and badges in the third session.

Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain, Chief of Air Force Gen Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris and PUSPAHANAS president, Vice Admiral Datuk Sabri Zali attended the graduation ceremony.

-- BERNAMA