'Paskal' gets top approval from Navy chief

A scene from the movie Paskal

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin has expressed his utmost satisfaction with the production of the navy commando adventure film, "Paskal The Movie", describing it as one of his greatest satisfactions in his 42 years of service in the navy.

Ahmad Kamarulzaman, who will retire next month, also expressed gratitude to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is RMN captain-in-chief, for his contribution, and also to Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak for his decree that the success mission of RMN elite force in fighting the Somalian pirates in the Gulf of Aden be made a book and movie so that it would forever be recorded in the country's and RMN history.

"Well done to RMN strategic partner, AsiaTropical, especially the director and producer of the film for their proper planning and for making optimal use of the opportunities to join our exercises in the production of the film," he told Bernama.

Ahmad Kamarulzaman said that he was also proud that the film had been shown in Singapore and would also be shown in several other countries including Brunei, Turkey and China.

"Congratulations to Paskal members involved in making those dangerous stunts as such stunts require only the well-trained an qualified 'actors'," he said.

Paskal or the RMN's Pasukan Khas Laut, which was formed on Oct 1, 1982, is the Navy Special Warfare Force which is involved in multi-functional special operations, including guerrilla warfare, counter-guerrilla warfare, counter-terrorism, hostage rescue and other specialised missions.

PASKAL The Movie, with a budget of RM10mil, is said to be the most expensive local film ever produced.

Directed by Adrian Teh, the film details two actual incidents involving Paskal – the United Nations Angola Verification Mission II (Univem II) in 1998 and the rescue of hostages from the MV Bunga Laurel, which was hijacked by Somalian pirates in 2011.

It was reported that the film collected RM2mil on its opening night, RM7.5mil after four days and RM22mil in 18 days. - Bernama