STORY 1134 — LT. COL. RIZAN MUHAMAD ARIS

Every time Independence Day arrives, I am reminded of a name that remains deeply etched in my memory — Captain Rizan Muhamad Aris, our PALAPES (ROTU) instructor during the three years we underwent military training at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) from 2000 to 2002.

Those three years eventually culminated in the commissioning of 130 of us as Second Lieutenants.

The memory became even more special in 2002 when USM had the honour of hosting the commissioning ceremony. The PALAPES program at public universities across Malaysia rotated the responsibility of hosting the ceremony among the universities. It was a significant occasion for every cadet and every university involved.

Each batch of cadets was guided by a military instructor, normally an officer holding the rank of Captain. Captain Rizan began serving as our instructor when he was still relatively young in his career, having just returned from overseas service under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and later serving in Africa.

That experience immediately captured our imagination.

Whenever Captain Rizan began telling us stories about his experiences overseas, 130 cadet officers would fall completely silent. Every word mattered. We listened attentively, fascinated by the experiences of a Malaysian Army officer who had witnessed the realities of countries affected by war while serving under the United Nations flag.

A Malay officer from Johor, Captain Rizan was physically strong and somewhat short in stature, but his presence was unmistakable. His voice was relatively low, yet filled with confidence and authority. To the 130 of us, he became much more than an instructor.

He became our role model.

One of the activities we looked forward to most whenever we had training at the USM main campus in Penang was physical training every morning.

For us, cadet officers from the USM engineering campus in Seri Iskandar, every joint training session meant travelling by a three-tonne military truck to the main campus. We would stay in the rooms of fellow cadet officers at Desasiswa Kembara and Desasiswa Indah, located next to the USM parade ground.

Every visit gave us another opportunity to meet our instructor.

Our day would begin with the muster assembly at around 6:30 in the morning. Soon after, we would set off for the morning run, breaking the silence of dawn with songs that lifted our spirits.

While students from other faculties and universities were still asleep, we were already running, sweating and pushing ourselves beyond our limits.

After the run came a series of obstacle courses.

Almost two hours of intense physical training could push even the strongest cadets to their limits. It was not unusual for two or three of us to collapse from exhaustion or come close to fainting.

That was usually when Captain Rizan would finally call an end to the physical session.

He would order us to gather around him and then begin speaking.

What happened next was almost magical.

Despite our exhausted bodies, drenched uniforms and heavy breathing, his words seemed to restore something inside us. Somehow, the fatigue disappeared. The spirit returned.

We were ready again for the next phase of training — weapons training, military strategy in the lecture halls, or drill sessions on the parade ground.

Every aspect of the program had been carefully structured according to the PALAPES training syllabus. There were many other instructors who taught us different military disciplines, and we respected every one of them.

But whenever a training session ended, Captain Rizan would often have the final word.

And whenever he began to speak, we became like children listening to a father telling us something important.

He would remind us:

"I have experienced many things overseas. I have seen countries devastated by war. The destruction is beyond our imagination."

Then he would remind us how fortunate we were to live in Malaysia — a country blessed with peace and stability.

"Take care of this peace."

His message was simple but profound.

As soldiers, we had to remain prepared for the possibility of war. But having experienced the realities of war himself, he also understood something that many of us had never experienced.

Those who truly understand war do not wish for war.

He taught us to become citizens who valued peace.

Do not become complacent.

Do not take independence for granted.

Do not be careless with the peace that generations before us had fought to protect.

"Fill this independence with something meaningful. Make the most of the peace that this country has given you."

Those words stayed with us.

Captain Rizan's admiration for the nation's military leaders also influenced us deeply. Among the figures he admired was Mejar General Dato' Amir bin Baharudin, better known to us through the story of his leadership and military legacy.

Captain Rizan's admiration for him eventually inspired the identity of our own batch.

The 130 of us were given the name Gunturean.

At the time, we probably did not realise how meaningful that name would become.

Years passed quickly.

By 2015, almost 13 years after our commissioning, Captain Rizan had served in various appointments within the Malaysian Armed Forces, including EXCOMM in Sabah. By then, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

But sadly, his journey came to an end.

He passed away while serving the nation.

The years may have separated us from our days as cadets, but the legacy he left behind remains deeply embedded in every one of us.

The PALAPES USM motto — "Sentiasa Memimpin" (Always Leading) — continues to live in the hearts of those he trained.

Today, many of our former batchmates have gone on to hold important positions in various fields across the country. Some continued their careers in the military. Some followed in Captain Rizan's footsteps and eventually became instructors themselves, training new generations of cadet officers at universities.

That, perhaps, is the greatest measure of a teacher's legacy.

Not the rank he achieved.

Not the position he held.

But the people he inspired and the values they carried forward.

Looking back, I realise that Captain Rizan did not merely train us to become military officers.

He taught us to appreciate peace.

He taught us responsibility.

He taught us leadership.

Most importantly, he taught us that independence is not simply something to celebrate once a year. It is something we must protect, appreciate and fill with meaning every day.

Thirteen years after our commissioning, his physical presence was gone.

But his voice remained.

His lessons remained.

His spirit remained.

And his legacy continued through the 130 Guntureans he once trained.

Today, as Malaysia celebrates its 69th Independence Day, I remember the man who taught us that the greatest victory is not winning a war — but preserving peace.

Thank you, Sir, for every lesson, every word of encouragement, every challenge and every value you passed on to us.

Your legacy will continue to live through the generations you inspired.

May we always remain citizens who appreciate the independence and peace entrusted to us.

Happy 69th Independence Day, Malaysia.

May we never take our peace for granted.

This is my story today.

Rambut pendek

A Reflection on Hair, Identity, and Renewal

I have worn my hair short for most of my life. Not because I lacked hair, but because it became habit—almost instinct. Long hair touching my ears always felt uncomfortable. As a child, during school holidays, my brother and I would sometimes shave our heads completely. It felt freeing, simple, and familiar.

When I entered matriculation, I experienced culture shock. In an attempt to escape it, I grew my hair long—almost shoulder-length. It was the first time in my life I let it grow that far. Soon after, in my first year at university, I joined PALAPES, the Army Reserve Officer Training Unit, for four years. From that moment on, short hair became part of my identity again. I cut my own hair at home, sometimes once or twice a month. I rarely owned a comb, rarely used hair oil. Whenever I did, my scalp would itch.

From 2000 until 2025, it was always short hair.

As I grew older, more grey appeared. Combined with a slipped disc, I began to feel my body weakening. In Lahad Datu, I met a friend named Zul. Like me, he shared the same name, but his appearance was different. He kept his hair long, tied neatly. He never missed his prayers. He was calm, disciplined, and well-groomed. That image stayed with me.

When I received a new assignment in Nilai, something shifted. At the beginning of 2025, I decided to change my image. I let my hair grow. I bought combs—now I have almost eight small ones, easy to slip into my pocket. I still trim the sides; I don’t like hair touching my ears. I dyed my hair too. The result surprised me.

My image changed. And so did my soul.

I felt fresher. Healthier. That was the real goal.

Traveling frequently between Malaysia and Indonesia, immigration officers often look at my passport photo and then at me, puzzled.

“Short hair in the passport… but now it’s long?”

I usually just smile.

Image matters. More than we often admit.

A friend once shared a military insight: in war, soldiers are encouraged to dye their hair, especially if it has turned grey. You don’t want the enemy to see you as old, weak, or worn. Even in warfare, image carries power.

Something as simple as hair can reflect strength, renewal, and intention.

Sometimes, changing the outside is not about vanity—but about giving the inside permission to heal, to reset, and to move forward.

#Reflection #PersonalJourney #Identity #blog #blogger #KembaraInsan #ImageMatters #Growth #MidlifeReflection

#InnerChange #Resilience #SelfRenewal #LifeLessons

Kisah Aiman dalam PALAPES

Ketidakselesaan itu sebenarnya satu nikmat tersembunyi. Ia bukan sekadar ujian fizikal, tetapi pengalaman berharga dalam universiti kehidupan.

Bila ditanya, bagaimana Aiman boleh bertahan dan terus maju dalam industri kejuruteraan dan kelapa sawit hingga kini? Jawapannya mudah:

👉 “Kerana aku pernah ditempa dalam PALAPES.”

---

Tahun-Tahun Latihan

Tiga tahun dalam PALAPES membentuk Aiman menjadi insan yang tahan lasak. Mereka tidur di ladang sawit yang baru ditanam, sawit matang berusia 10 tahun, dan sawit tua yang menunggu untuk ditebang. Kadang-kadang di ladang getah, kadang-kadang jauh di dalam hutan.

Berpuluh kilometer mereka mara, mendaki bukit botak panas terik, membina kubu, dan menjadikan alam sebagai rumah. Jika ada lopak air, itulah air mandi mereka.

Bagi Aiman, itu bukan penderitaan – itu adalah pembelajaran sebenar tentang erti hidup.

---

Hujung Minggu Bukan Untuk Tidur

Ketika rakan-rakan di universiti lena hingga tengah hari, Aiman sudah bangun seawal jam 5 pagi. Tepat jam 6, mereka sudah berbaris. Sehari suntuk latihan – fizikal, kawad, teori dan amali – menjadi rutin.

Cuti semester pula bukan rehat semata. Tamat latihan tahunan dua minggu, baki masa digunakan untuk aktiviti rekreasi sesama sendiri. Pernah sekali mereka berkayak dari Seberang Perai hingga ke Tanjung Tokong dan Tanjung Bungah, sebelum akhirnya terhenti di Batu Feringgi kerana ombak besar.

---

Kehidupan Kampus yang Berbeza

Bila semester bermula, Aiman bukan sekadar pelajar biasa. Ada masanya dia menjadi tenaga keselamatan universiti, ada waktunya dia berbaris dalam kawad Hari Kebangsaan atau konvokesyen. Ada juga aktiviti kelab, makan malam, dan baktisiswa.

Aiman bukan jenis yang suka tonjolkan diri. Dia lebih selesa bekerja di belakang tabir. Namun, setiap tugasan yang diberi pasti selesai dengan sempurna.

---

Malam yang Paling Dikenang

Satu momen yang takkan dilupakan adalah malam rejimental. Dengan duit elaun hasil bertahun berlatih, mereka bergaya dengan pakaian rasmi No. 1 dan menghadiri makan malam di hotel lima bintang.

Namun, selepas acara berakhir, realitinya mereka masih budak kampus yang lapar. Aiman bersama rakan-rakan mencari roti canai di gerai depan universiti. Dari hotel mewah ke warung sederhana – itulah kontras yang buat mereka ketawa hingga kini.

---

Nilai Seumur Hidup

Bagi Aiman, semua kesusahan itu bukan sia-sia. Apa yang dahulu tampak perit kini menjadi kenangan indah sepanjang hayat.

Sekali seumur hidup, dia pernah merasa susah, tidak selesa, sakit, letih, lapar dan dahaga. Tetapi pengalaman itu membuktikan bahawa manusia mampu mengharungi apa saja.

PALAPES mengajarnya satu perkara penting:

💡 “Hidup ini lebih besar cabarannya. Jika kau mampu di sini, kau pasti mampu di luar sana.”

#palapestd #rotu #usm #ump #ums #utm #ukm #army #tenteradarat #malaysia #university

Kisah Kepimpinan: Kapten Rizan dan Legasi Gunturian

Awal 2000-an, padang kawad Universiti Sains Malaysia bergema dengan hentakan but, laungan arahan, dan semangat waja para kadet yang sedang ditempa. Di tengah-tengah medan latihan itu berdiri seorang insan bernama Kapten Rizan Muhammad Aris — seorang pemimpin yang tidak hanya membentuk askar, tetapi juga membentuk manusia yang tahan uji.

---

1. Menjadi Teladan (Model the Way)

Kapten Rizan tidak pernah meminta anak didiknya melakukan sesuatu yang beliau sendiri enggan lakukan. Jika beliau mahu kecemerlangan fizikal, beliau turut berlari bersama. Jika beliau menuntut disiplin, uniformnya sentiasa kemas, waktunya tepat. Perbuatannya menjadi cermin kepimpinan — membuktikan bahawa integriti dan konsistensi ialah asas seorang pemimpin¹.

2. Mengilhamkan Visi Bersama (Inspire a Shared Vision)

Beliau mengingatkan kami bahawa kami bukan sekadar kadet, tetapi bakal pegawai dan perwira tanah air. Katanya yang masih terngiang, “Keamanan ini mesti dijaga, dan ia mesti diisi sebaik mungkin.” Kisah pengalamannya sebagai tentera pengaman di Bosnia memberi gambaran jelas betapa sengsaranya hidup tanpa kebebasan, dan mengapa keamanan Malaysia harus dipertahankan dengan jiwa dan raga².

3. Mencabar Proses (Challenge the Process)

Latihannya jarang biasa-biasa. Ada kalanya kami dipaksa berlari hingga kaki hampir rebah. Ada masanya diuji dalam lumpur, lintah dan pacat melekat di kaki, atau bermalam di ladang kelapa sawit dan kebun getah. Ramai mengeluh, namun beliau tahu — ketahanan diri lahir daripada cabaran yang menyakitkan. Beliau mengajar bahawa hanya dengan berani mencabar batas, kekuatan sejati akan terbentuk³.

4. Memberdayakan Orang Lain (Enable Others to Act)

Walau keras, beliau membina rasa kebersamaan antara 130 kadet. Usai hukuman fizikal, beliau akan menghimpunkan kami lalu meniupkan kata semangat. Beliau memberi kepercayaan kepada ketua-ketua kadet untuk memimpin, dan menekankan bahawa seorang pegawai sejati bukan hanya berdiri sendiri, tetapi mengangkat orang lain bersama. Dalam latihannya, kerjasama bukan pilihan — ia adalah soal hidup dan mati⁴.

5. Menggalakkan Hati (Encourage the Heart)

Apabila kami berada di titik rapuh, beliau hadir meniupkan tujuan perjuangan. Beliau meraikan kejayaan kecil — menamatkan route march, melepasi halangan, atau sekadar bangkit semula selepas jatuh. Pujian daripadanya jarang, tetapi apabila ia hadir, ia membekas lebih dalam daripada segala kepenatan. Sehingga hari ini, ramai kadet lebih mengingati sinar bangga di wajahnya daripada sakit di tubuh mereka⁵.

---

Pada hari pertaulihan 2002, ketika Gunturian berdiri megah bersama kadet dari seluruh IPTA di Malaysia, kami bukan sahaja membawa insignia pegawai, tetapi juga legasi seorang jurulatih yang membakar jiwa.

Kepimpinan Kapten Rizan melebihi kawad, latihan dan disiplin. Ia hidup dalam diri setiap Gunturian yang melangkah ke dunia dengan keberanian, keteguhan, dan kecintaan pada tanah air.

Kisah ini mengingatkan kita semua: pemimpin sejati bukan sekadar memerintah — mereka membentuk jiwa, menyalakan visi, dan meninggalkan semangat yang terus hidup setelah mereka tiada.

---

Footnotes

1. Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge. Wiley. – “Model the Way” menekankan bahawa pemimpin mesti jelas dengan nilai mereka dan memimpin melalui teladan. 

2. Ibid. – “Inspire a Shared Vision” menuntut pemimpin membayangkan masa depan dan mengajak orang lain berkongsi tujuan yang sama. 

3. Ibid. – “Challenge the Process” menekankan keberanian mencuba, mengambil risiko dan belajar daripada pengalaman. 

4. Ibid. – “Enable Others to Act” memberi fokus pada kolaborasi, membina kepercayaan dan memberdayakan orang lain. 

5. Ibid. – “Encourage the Heart” menegaskan pentingnya pengiktirafan dan meraikan pencapaian.

English Version

Leadership Story: Captain Rizan and the Gunturian Legacy

In the early 2000s, the fields of Universiti Sains Malaysia echoed with the sound of boots striking the ground, the shouts of orders, and the unyielding spirit of cadets in training. At the heart of this transformation stood Captain Rizan Muhammad Aris, a leader whose impact shaped not just soldiers, but resilient human beings.

---

1. Model the Way

Captain Rizan never asked his cadets to do something he would not endure himself. When he demanded physical excellence, he joined the morning runs. When he spoke of discipline, his uniform was immaculate, his timing precise. His actions set the standard—cadets learned quickly that leadership begins with personal integrity and consistency¹.

2. Inspire a Shared Vision

He reminded the Gunturian batch that they were not just cadets; they were future leaders, defenders of Malaysia’s peace. In his words, “Keamanan ini mesti dijaga, dan ia mesti diisi sebaik mungkin.” Through stories from his peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, he painted a vivid picture of what it meant to live without freedom—and why preserving Malaysia’s peace was worth every sacrifice².

3. Challenge the Process

Training under him was never routine. One day, cadets found themselves running until their legs shook. Another day, they were tested in the mud, leeches clinging to their skin, or tasked with surviving overnight in palm estates and rubber plantations. Some thought it too harsh—but Captain Rizan believed growth was forged in discomfort. He showed that by pushing boundaries, resilience and courage would emerge³.

4. Enable Others to Act

Though tough, he built camaraderie among the 130 cadets. After punishing drills, he would gather them together and speak words that reignited their spirit. He trusted his cadet leaders, gave them responsibility, and reminded them that a true officer lifts others, not just himself. In his training, collaboration wasn’t optional—it was survival⁴.

5. Encourage the Heart

When cadets reached their breaking point, Captain Rizan was there to remind them of their purpose. He celebrated small victories—finishing a grueling march, completing an obstacle course, or simply standing back up after a fall. His praise was rare, but when given, it burned deeply in the hearts of his men. Many cadets still remember the pride in his eyes more vividly than the pain in their muscles⁵.

---

On the day of commissioning in 2002, when the Gunturian stood tall among cadets from across Malaysia, they carried not only the insignia of officers but the legacy of a leader who had transformed their character.

Captain Rizan’s leadership lived beyond the drills, beyond the kawad, beyond the mud and sweat. It lived in every Gunturian who stepped into the world with courage, discipline, and love for the nation.

His story reminds us all: great leaders do not just command—they shape lives, ignite visions, and leave behind a spirit that outlives them.

Footnotes

1. Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge. Wiley. – “Model the Way” emphasizes leaders must be clear about their values and lead by example. 

2. Ibid. – “Inspire a Shared Vision” requires leaders to envision the future and enlist others in a common purpose. 

3. Ibid. – “Challenge the Process” highlights innovation, risk-taking, and resilience in overcoming obstacles. 

4. Ibid. – “Enable Others to Act” focuses on fostering collaboration and building trust. 

5. Ibid. – “Encourage the Heart” underlines the importance of recognizing contributions and celebrating values and victories. 

#blog #blogger #kembarainsan #gunturian #guntur #palapes #palapestd #usm #ukm #utm #uthm #ump #ums #unimas #uitm #tenteradarat

Jalan Aiman Menjadi Perwira

Hari-hari awal Aiman di Padang Kawad USM penuh dengan hentakan but yang menyakitkan betis. Namun itu hanya permulaan. Latihan sebenar menunggu – bukan sekadar kawad, bukan sekadar PT, tetapi satu perjalanan menempuh getir untuk membentuk jiwa seorang perwira.

---

Tahun Pertama: Asas dan Disiplin

Mereka tidur di Desasiswa Indah, tetapi malam sering terputus dek wisel mengejutkan untuk “turnout” – berkumpul dengan uniform lengkap di bawah lima minit. Siapa lambat, hukuman menanti.

Pagi, mereka berlari keliling jalan raya kampus USM, ada masa singgah di tepi kolam USM untuk water confidence – terjun, berenang, merangkak dalam air yang keruh. Tubuh muda mereka ditempa.

Namun yang paling menguji, bila pertama kali dihantar bermalam di ladang kelapa sawit. Nyamuk, bunyi unggas, dan bayangan hitam batang sawit menjadi peneman. Tidur beralaskan tanah, langit terbuka, hujan turun tanpa belas.

Di situlah Aiman belajar bahawa seorang kadet mesti tabah dalam apa keadaan sekalipun.

---

Tahun Kedua: Medan Kehidupan dan Penderitaan

Kini latihan semakin mencabar. Mereka dihantar ke kebun getah terpencil untuk latihan tempur. Tidur malam beralaskan daun kering, telinga mendengar bunyi ranting patah. Kadang-kadang jurulatih sengaja melepaskan bunyi letupan mercun untuk menguji reaksi.

Ada hari, mereka diarahkan merangkak dalam parit berlumpur. Lumpur tebal menelan tubuh hingga ke dada, lintah hitam bergayut di kaki dan betis. Ada rakan yang menjerit bila seekor pacat kecil menyelinap masuk ke dalam mata seorang kadet – kisah yang sampai kini jadi bualan kerana perit dan ngeri.

Makan tengah hari pun tidak menjamin rehat. Selesai makan, jurulatih mengarahkan crow – larian pecut, tekan tubi, berguling atas padang panas. Ramai muntah, namun mereka dipaksa berdiri semula, kerana inilah latihan membina mental besi.

Dalam route march sejauh berpuluh kilometer, ada yang rebah keletihan. Bahu terasa patah menanggung beban penuh. Tetapi suara sahabat dan ketukan whistle jurulatih memaksa mereka bangun semula.

---

Tahun Ketiga: Ujian Akhir di Hutan

Di Hutan Simpan Kuala Kangsar, latihan akhir benar-benar menguji jiwa. Tiga hari hujan tanpa henti, khemah kecil tidak mampu menahan tempias. Uniform basah, kulit berkedut, tidur hanya sekejap-sekejap.

Mereka membina kubu pertahanan, menggali parit, menahan serangan malam. Saat paling getir bila diarahkan berendam penuh dalam lumpur semalaman – tubuh sejuk menggigil, pacat merayap tanpa belas. Namun tiada seorang pun dibenarkan keluar.

Segala penderitaan ini bukan sia-sia. Ia mengajar mereka bahawa seorang pegawai tidak boleh tunduk kepada kesusahan, sebaliknya mesti memimpin orang lain keluar dari kesusahan.

---

Hari Pentauliahan: USM, 2002

Akhirnya tibalah hari yang dinanti. Padang Kawad USM Pulau Pinang penuh sesak dengan tetamu dan keluarga. Langkah mereka kini mantap, suara kawad bergema memecah langit.

Aiman berdiri tegap, dada berombak penuh bangga. Ingatannya kembali – malam di ladang kelapa sawit, tidur di kebun getah, mandi lumpur bersama lintah, sahabat yang hampir buta kerana pacat, crow sehingga muntah selepas makan tengah hari.

Semua pahit getir itu kini jadi kenangan sepanjang hayat. Kerana tanpa semua itu, mana mungkin dirinya kini berdiri sebagai seorang Leftenan Muda.

---

Epilog

Saat pedang diserahkan, Aiman mengangkat kepalanya memandang Jalur Gemilang yang berkibar megah. Kata jurulatihnya dulu bergema semula:

“Keamanan ini mesti dijaga dan diisi sebaik mungkin. Ia bukan hadiah percuma, tetapi amanah yang diwariskan kepada kita.”

Dan Aiman tahu, luka, peluh, muntah, dan tangisan sepanjang tiga tahun itu adalah harga yang dibayar untuk sebuah amanah besar bernama tanah air.

#blog #blogger #kembarainsan #usm #palapestd #rotu #ukm #utm #uia #uitm

Obor Semangat Arwah Kapten Rizan Muhammad Aris

Ada insan yang hadir bukan sekadar meninggalkan nama, tetapi meninggalkan api semangat yang tidak pernah padam.

Bagi kami, insan itu adalah Kapten Rizan Muhammad Aris – seorang jurulatih, seorang pemimpin, seorang patriot yang hatinya tertambat pada nusa dan bangsa.

Di bumi Johor beliau dilahirkan, di bumi Malaysia beliau berbakti, dan di bumi asing Bosnia beliau belajar erti sebenar keamanan. Dari sana beliau kembali dengan satu tekad – mengajar kami bahawa keamanan ini mesti dijaga dan diisi sebaik mungkin.

Tahun 2000 hingga 2002, kami – seramai 130 orang pegawai kadet PALAPES Tentera Darat USM – dikenali sebagai Gunturian. Nama itu bukan sekadar gelaran, tetapi panji semangat yang dipimpin oleh beliau. Setiap langkah latihan, setiap titis peluh, semuanya dicorakkan oleh tangan seorang jurulatih yang percaya bahawa jiwa mesti ditempa lebih keras daripada besi.

Masih terbayang derap langkah kami membelah kesunyian kampus di pagi hari. Nafas terputus-putus, tubuh hampir rebah. Namun arwah tidak pernah mengalah – kerana beliau tahu, tentera tidak dilahirkan daripada keselesaan, tetapi daripada kesanggupan mengatasi kelemahan diri.

Dan apabila kami berkumpul setelah tubuh seakan mahu tumbang, beliau akan berdiri dengan wajah tenang tetapi suara penuh api:

> “Tubuhmu mungkin letih, kakimu mungkin rebah.

Namun jiwa yang cinta tanah air tidak akan pernah menyerah.

Ingatlah, Malaysia ini tanah tumpah darah kita.

Keamanan yang kita nikmati bukan hadiah percuma,

ia dibayar dengan darah, keringat, dan air mata pejuang sebelum kita.

Maka, jagalah ia. Isi dan suburkanlah ia dengan pengorbananmu.”

Kata-kata itu meresap jauh ke dalam jiwa. Segala penat lenyap, diganti dengan rasa bangga dan azam untuk terus berdiri sebagai benteng tanah air.

Itulah warisan arwah Kapten Rizan – bukan pangkat, bukan gelaran, tetapi semangat yang mengajar kami bahawa cinta tanah air mesti lebih besar daripada rasa takut dan penat.

Kini, dua puluh lima tahun telah berlalu. Namun api yang dinyalakan itu tidak pernah padam. Kami, Gunturian, masih membawa obor itu. Dan kami menyeru kepada generasi muda:

Hargailah keamanan ini. Ia mesti dijaga, dan ia mesti diisi sebaik mungkin. Jangan biarkan keamanan ini hanya jadi cerita, tetapi jadikan ia tanggungjawab.

Semoga Allah SWT mencucuri rahmat ke atas roh arwah Kapten Rizan Muhammad Aris, menempatkannya bersama orang-orang yang beriman.

Dan semoga obor yang beliau nyalakan terus menyala, menerangi jalan perjuangan generasi yang bakal mempertahankan bumi tercinta ini.

#palapes #usm #palapestd #guntur 

Keypad : Umur 22 tahun pada 2001

1. Dah lama bersarang blog ini.
2. Tengah cuci - cuci dan share di page FB, terjumpa gambar masa muda berumur 22 tahun, 19 tahun lepas, 2001.
3. Gambar semasa Peringkat Tiga PALAPES, Kem Tahunan, Berkubu di Gurun, Kedah.
4. Saya tertarik melihat gambar ini kerana masa berlalu sangat pantas. Pada waktu yang sama, situasi tubuh badan pada saat ini berumur 41 tahun amatlah berbeza pada saat gambar ini diambil.
5. Sejak beberapa bulan yang lepas, badan saya mulai rasa lemah. Tidak seperti ketika saat muda.
6. Kena mula jaga pemakanan dan tidak lagi boleh melakukan aktiviti ekstrem seperti usia muda.
7. Jika dulu, apa sahaja boleh dilakukan. Kini tidak lagi. 
8. Rakan sekolah dan universiti juga ada sudah yang meninggalkan dunia menuju akhirat beberapa tahun yang lepas.
9. Saat dan sisa masa yang berbaki, semoga diisi dengan penuh kebajikan, kebaikan dan mengumpul bekalan untuk Hari Akhirat.

Semoga Allah berkati kita semua dalam rahmat dan hidayah selamanya.

Makan Beradab ROTU

Kelab Rekreasi PALAPES

1. Suatu ketika semasa di kampus, aku amat aktif dalam Kelab Rekreasi PALAPES.
2. Banyak masa aku luangkan untuk kelab. Bukan kerana siapa, tetapi kerana memang itu sifat aku. Aku suka buat perkara yang aku minat.
3. Walaupun ia bukan bersifat akademik, namun aktiviti kelab dan pengalaman semasa berorganisasi banyak mencorak 'interpersonal skills' dan peningkatan dalam 'social skill' sehingga sekarang.
4. Belajar di universiti bukan sekadar untuk mendapat akademik cemerlang, tapi yang penting belajar untuk menjadi insan berguna semasa bekerja dan semasa menjadi anggota masyarakat.
5. Jika anda menjadi pelajar cemerlang, tetapi anda gagal untuk 'bersosial' semasa alam pekerjaan nanti, anda bukanlah orang yang bijak.
6. Ramai orang yang berjaya di dunia bukan berasal daripada mereka yang cemerlang dalam akademik. Tetapi datang dari golongan yang selalu gagal serta belajar daripada kegagalan itu melalui usaha gigih tanpa jemu untuk membuktikan bahawa mereka lebih baik.
7. Dari sisi agama, manusia yang paling bijak adalah mereka yang mengingati mati serta bersedia untuk alam akhirat. Mengingati dan bersedia bermaksud, setiap gerak geri kehidupan senantiasa dengan niat untuk akhirat serta bermatlamatkan Redha Allah.
   

4th May 2002 ; Pentaulihan PALAPES USM

4th May 2002 Majlis Pentaulihan PALAPES USM.

PALAPES Dalam Kenangan

PALAPES Universiti Sains Malaysia

Peringkat III 2001

Yusmaliza

Cikgu Sabarudin Bin Mohd Nor

Perjalanan dari Tronoh ke Pulau Pinang

Menaiki 3 tan. Kerderaan serbaguna yang mengangkut pegawai kadet. Semasa berhenti di Bukit Merah.

12hb Disember 2001 Majlis Sambutan Aidilfitri

Persembahan nasyid

Jurulatih yang menjadi VIP

Bergambar selepas majlis tamat.

AJK di belakang tabir yang sibuk sebelum dan selepas majlis. Ambil gambar dengan reflika yang direka selama seminggu dan dimusnahkan dalam beberapa minit :p.

Bersama jurulatih, Kapten Rizan.

AJK yang berhempas pulas menyiapkan prop untuk majlis. Semangat kerjasama antara ahli memang tidak dapat dinafikan.

10hb Disember 2000 ; Majlis Bebuka Puasa

Dewan Serbaguna Desasiswa Lebaran. Majlis berbuka puasa anjuran Kelan Rekreasi PALAPES.

2001 Peringkat III ; Pertahanan

Peringkat 3 ; Pertahanan, mengali kubu bersama ahli platun.

Peringkat II Mara

Ini adalah antara beberapa kelengkapan yang dibawa semasa mara - 30 km.

Latihan Kawad

19th Nov 2000, gambar diambil semasa waktu rehat latihan kawad di Kampus Induk USM, Pulau Pinang.

KRP Kelab Rekreasi PALAPES

AJK Kelab Rekreasi PALAPES bersama jurulatih.