SHAH ALAM, Aug 31 — Dato’ Anuar Alias, who was the inspiration for PASKAL: The Movie, has been named Selangor Merdeka Ambassador 2025 for his dedication to defending national security, including by participating in several international missions.
Anuar was honoured with an award presented by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari in conjunction with Selangor’s Merdeka celebration at Dataran Kemerdekaan here last night.
The 63-year-old, who took home RM10,000 in cash, told Media Selangor that the recognition was a high honour not just for himself but for security personnel nationwide.
“I thank the Selangor government for choosing me as Merdeka Ambassador for the 68th-year celebration this year.
“I am a retired soldier, so I am touched that my service and sacrifice as an RMN (Royal Malaysian Navy) officer for 41 years is still remembered and appreciated by my birth state, which is Selangor,” he said.
Anuar added that there were many unforgettable moments from his time in service, especially when he was on tour in Angola, which inspired PASKAL: The Movie.
“That film was based on a true story; what I experienced while serving in Angola in 1998. One thing that happened was when I was on patrol and there was a civilian truck in front of me. The truck, carrying about 30 passengers including children, was being ambushed and the driver had been shot in the head. When I saw the attack, I marched forth to save them.
“Thank God, with my presence and also United Nations peacekeepers, the attackers retreated and fled,” he said.
Anuar joined the RMN on February 1, 1981, and his journey began as a navigation officer on KD Baung before serving on other ships.
He then joined the Naval Special Forces (PASKAL), an elite team of the RMN, and was involved in important operations such as the UN team retreat mission in Somalia on KD Seri Indera Sakti and KD Mahawangsa.
He also undertook high-risk missions including anti-sniping, close escorts, and amphibious withdrawals, which require bravery and extraordinary agility.
Anuar was chosen to join the UN peacekeeping mission in Angola as an observing officer, and was placed in the restive Team Site Bailundo: a rebel region in central Angola.
He played a major role during an ambush on a civilian truck between Huambo and Alto Hama, and received the Star of the Commander of Valour (Pingat Gagah Berani, or PGB) on June 2, 2000, for his courageous, professional actions and leadership abilities during a critical moment in the battlefield.
Anuar received the award from then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, making him the only recipient of the PGB from the RMN.
