USM PENANG, 7 February 2022 – Muhammad Badrul Amin Abd Halim, 25, from Kuala Kedah was named the Best Overall Cadet Officer at the 'Majlis Lafaz Pengisytiharan Pentauliahan & Pemakaian Pangkat Pegawai Kadet PALAPES Darat Universiti Awam ke-39 (Zon Utara)' today here at USM Main Campus.

The son of a fisherman and a housewife received his early education at SK Bebar, and later continued his secondary education at SMK Nenasi and SMK Ahmad before setting foot in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), majoring in Social Science.

Interestingly, he was able to divide his time for study and co-curriculum, as well as showing a high seriousness and determination in the military training phase, academic and physical modules while participating in PALAPES.

He is also active in sports and is the Head of the USM Woodball team. One of his sweet memories is when he became the champion at the 2019 IPT Woodball tournament.

Badrul's assertiveness and self-confidence is reflected in his leadership qualities and he has been appointed as a Senior Junior Officer.

Armed with dedication and determination displayed throughout the training, those traits have also enabled him to be awarded as the Overall Best Cadet Officer.

In the 39th edition of the Commissioning of the Reserve Officers Training Unit (PALAPES) Cadet Officers of Public Institutions of Higher Learning (IPTAs) for Northern Region, hosted by USM today, 182 PALAPES cadet officers from seven IPTAs including USM received their commission from the Deputy Chief of Army (TPTD), Lieutenant General Dato' Pahlawan Mohammad Ab Rahman.

The ceremony was held on a moderate scale in full compliance with the COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa