SENIOR MISSION LEADERSHIPS IN MPTC 18 JAN - 29JAN 2010

Armed Forces once again recorded history when Malaysia Peacekeeping Training Center (PLPM) has been honored by the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO) to organize Senior Mission Leaders Course (SML).

The course was held from 18 to January 29, 2010, attended by public officials and senior military officers with the rank of Brigadier General equivalent and above.

A total of 24 participants including 3 senior ATM and a senior RMP while others are from foreign countries. The Courses is first time held in PLPM intended to provide senior military officers and the public experienced and qualified to lead a mission as UN Force Commander or the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG).

Course SML-11 series was first hosted by Malaysia and also the first time held in the Asia Pacific region. Selection PLPM organizing this course is due to the excellent performance training center in handling courses international peacekeeping operations, other than equipment-fasilitas fasilitasnya sophisticated and modern.

SML course closing ceremony was officiated by Chief of Staff Headquarters ATM, YBhg Lt Gen Datuk Raja Mohamed Affandi Bin Raja Mohamed Noor on January 29, 2010. Also present at the ceremony was Laksda YBhg Dato 'Abdul Hadi bin A. Rashid, AKS OLP and Col Hj Ahmad Razali Johar RMAF, Commandant PLPM. PLPM success in implementing the course to the SML-11, already has improved the image of Malaysia and especially ATM in general.

Role

The role of MPTC is to prepare personnel of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Departments including Non-Governmental Organisations for operational duties in peacekeeping missions.

Objectives

The objectives set are as follows:

• To promote peacekeeping efficiency and a balanced profile of professionalism for candidates selected for UN Peacekeeping missions.
• To provide a better understanding in the planning and conduct of UN Peace Support Operations.
• To provide a working knowledge and understanding on observer duties and the operation, logistics and administrative procedures of UN Peace Support Operations.
• To conduct seminars and forums on selected subjects to enhance the knowledge and understanding of UN Peacekeeping efforts.

Charter

Malaysian Peacekeeping Training Centre is a joint service organisation that was given the function to provide personnel of the Armed Forces and other agencies with training and knowledge on Peace Support and Peace Keeping Operation to enable them to function in peacekeeping mission.

An Overview

As the UN faces new challenges, personnel serving the UN must also be kept abreast with the dynamics, evolution, the fluid situations and the complexities of peacekeeping. We believe that there are good prospects and great demands for related training programmes. Realising these potentials, the proposal to have own complex since 1999, has materialized. It was inaugurated on the 20th Apr 2006 by The Right Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak.

The building concept projects a paradigm shift from the usual military cum regimental outlook. It is structured as an international institute of higher learning and resort complex. This centre will not only serve as the national centre but aspires to be a regional centre. It will also be the referral and resource centre on all aspects pertaining to peacekeeping. It is in this context that MPTC will continue to impart and promote knowledge beneficial to the maintenance of global peace. The centre is located at Segenting Camp, Port Dickson and is well connected by a highway and about 105km from Kuala Lumpur via the North-South Highway. It is approximately 45 minutes travelling distance by road from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Introduction

Malaysia after its emergence in the global atlas became the member of United Nations on 15 Sep 1957. Since its admission to the world community and consistent with the national commitment towards international peace and stabiity, Malaysia has been actively supporting the efforts of the United Nations.

The Malaysia Armed Forces (MAF), as major participant, has always maintained a proud tradition of excellence in all UN mission which it had participated in more than 20 countries since Congo in 1960. As the role, task, dimension and whole matrix of UN PKO and PSO are becoming more and more demanding; there is a greater need for improved and universal training for UN peacekeepers.

Therefore, training for Malaysian Peacekeepers assumes a great importance in the changing face of world order and changing nature of peace support operation task. To enhance this achievements and further equip our peacekeepers, the establishment of a training centre was hence realised on 19 January 1996.