Petikan :
Rasanya agak janggal apabila sebuah Universiti yang sememangnya berlatarkan suasana ketenteraan tidak ada gelaran 'Di Raja' untuknya.
Gelaran "Di Raja" menunjukkan ianya dinaungi oleh KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau Raja-Raja Melayu. Jika dilihat, IPTA yang bertaraf awam dan tidak berlatarbelakangkan ketenteraan pun dinaungi oleh 'Tuanku Canselor' Kenapa tidak UPNM?
Saya sememangnya kurang mengerti prosedur untuk mendapat gelaran 'Di Raja' dan bukanlah saya menulis artikel ini mewakili UPNM (malah inisiatif saya sendiri)
Rasa saya sebagai rakyat biasa - sudah tiba masanya UPNM mendapat ampuni perkenan DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau KDYMM Al-Sultan Kelantan (Timbalan Yang Di Pertuan Agong) atau mana-mana Raja-Raja Melayu untuk menganugerahi 'gelaran 'Di Raja' kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia" dan ditukar kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Di Raja Malaysia"
Dan DYMM SPB YDP Agong sendiri selayaknya menjadi 'Tuanku Canselor' untuk Universiti ni.
Gelaran ini sangat sesuai diberikan kepada UPNM selaras dengan cara pendekatannya, suasana dan lokasi universiti berkenaan (yang juga menempatkan Maktab Tentera Di Raja (MTD-RMC)
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Nota : Tulisan ini bukan mewakili mana-mana pihak dari Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) tetapi atas inisiatif pengarangnya.
Sebenarnya, saya telah lama ingin menulis mengenai perkara ini iaitu semenjak UPNM mula dibuka.
Saya bukanlah seorang yang mempunyai latarbelakang ketenteraan, polis, mahupun menyertai mana-mana anggota keselamatan. Namun, tahu jugalah serba sedikit mengenai etika dan protokol ketenteraan kerana saya dan isteri saya, adalah dari keluarga anggota tentera.
Semasa menghantar anak saya baru-baru ini, Nik Muhammad Hussainy ke UPNM, saya teringat kembali akan perkara ini.
Sebenarnya, saya telah lama ingin menulis mengenai perkara ini iaitu semenjak UPNM mula dibuka.
Saya bukanlah seorang yang mempunyai latarbelakang ketenteraan, polis, mahupun menyertai mana-mana anggota keselamatan. Namun, tahu jugalah serba sedikit mengenai etika dan protokol ketenteraan kerana saya dan isteri saya, adalah dari keluarga anggota tentera.
Semasa menghantar anak saya baru-baru ini, Nik Muhammad Hussainy ke UPNM, saya teringat kembali akan perkara ini.
(Pengarang bersama anak kedua, Nik Muhammad Hussainy bergambar kenangan dengan Timbalan Naib Canselor UPNM bersama antara barisan ibubapa yang menghantar anak masing-masing untuk pendaftaran dan MOSIS)
Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia berada dalam lokasi yang sangat strategik iaitu Kem Sungai Besi)
Dalam kem yang sama, berdiri megah pintu masuk ke Maktab Tentera Di Raja (RMC) di mana saya sempat bergambar di hadapan pintu gerbangnya setelah 27 tahun tidak ke sana.
Dalam kem yang sama, berdiri megah pintu masuk ke Maktab Tentera Di Raja (RMC) di mana saya sempat bergambar di hadapan pintu gerbangnya setelah 27 tahun tidak ke sana.
Saya tergelak kecil melihat beberapa orang awam yang merungut-rungut tentang ketegasan Polis Tentera yang mengawal pintu masuk utama ke Kem Sungai Besi. Ada yang tidak mahu mengambil pas keselamatan (pelawat awam), ada yang mendakwa 'mereka kenal orang itu dan ini' dan ada pula yang mendakwa 'dia ni pegawai besar angkatan tentera'..Entahlah. Sekali imbas, saya lihat, mereka tidak tahu pun 'isyarat tertentu' yang membuktikan mereka ini tahu etika dan protokol atau benar-benar 'orang berpangkat' dalam tentera.
(Pintu Masuk Utama Ke Kem Sungai Besi)
Saya sentiasa mengikut prosedur untuk memasuki Kem Sungai Besi walaupun untuk ke UPNM (semasa mengambil dan menghantar anak saya). Saya mengisi borang dengan penuh teliti serta memberikan maklumat yang lengkap. Tujuan diadakan pas masuk itu pun adalah berdasarkan undang-undang serta objektifnya adalah 'soal keselamatan'.
Orang awam perlu faham, jika berlaku apa-apa akses ke dalam Kem yang berpotensi mengancam keselamatan, sudah tentunya MP akan bertanggungjawab, silap-silap haribulan kena naik 'court marshall' (mahkamah tentera) yang mungkin menyebabkan MP boleh kehilangan kerja.
Saya sudah lama melihat 'kehebatan' UPNM yang mempunyai cara dan pendekatan yang tersendiri. Ibaratnya jika 100 orang pelajar yang memasuki UPNM, maka 100 juga yang akan keluar dengan masadepan, karier dan gaji yang agak lumayan. Apatah lagi jika pelajar berkenaan adalah anggota kadet.
Begitu juga pelajar awam, walaupun tidak menerima elaun bulanan seperti kadet, tetapi Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi dan MARA (mengambil dua contoh dari banyak contoh-contoh lain), ada memberikan elaun dan wang saku.
Pelajar awam juga amat digalakkan untuk menyertai PALAPES/ROTU dan mendapat elaun ROTU pula. Cuma mungkin pelajar awam terpaksa membeli sendiri makanan dan minuman (yang harganya sangat berpatutan) dan pelajar Kadet diberikan makanan dan minuman percuma (di samping elaun/gaji bulanan yang agak lumayan)
Apakah rahsia UPNM?
Boleh dikatakan rata-rata saya melihat unsur-unsur integrasi yang padu dalam modul-modul pengajarannya iaitu kemahiran (ala-MLVK malah ada yang diakreditasikan oleh MLVK) dan akademik (yang diakreditasikan oleh MQA)
Di sini saya tidaklah bermaksud bahawa IPTA-IPTA dan IPTS-IPTS lain tidak ada unsur kemahiran atau MLVK tetapi UPNM serta suasana ketenteraan di sekelilingnya yang banyak memerlukan sejumlah anggotanya yang bertugas di bengkel-bengkel samada Udara, Laut atau Darat perlu cerdas di bidang teknikal serta kejuruteraan, maka inilah antaranya yang mempengaruhi modul-modul UPNM. (suasana sekitar dan sejarahnya)
Mungkin inilah penyebab utama saya berminat untuk menghantar anak saya melanjutkan pelajaran di UPNM. Kriteria pengambilan juga amat teliti. Antara lain, bukan semata-mata semuanya 'A' dalam SPM tetapi juga dilihat dari segi ko-kurrikulum. Anak saya bertuah kerana telah menyertai Kadet Remaja Sekolah (selain memenangi pelbagai anugerah peringkat sekolah, zon, negeri dan negara) dan seminggu sebelum menyertai UPNM, dia juga baru sahaja menamatkan latihan di Pusat Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) di Ulu Benom, Pahang.
Sebelum itu, sempat saya berborak-borak mesra menerusi Facebook dengan seorang 'senior' saya (berbangsa Cina) - sama-sama menjadi Alumni Maktab Sultan Ismail Kelantan (SICA), izinkan saya memetiknya :
KHL/Russell : This bright young man has good heart, he has involved in national defense at this young age. Wishing your son all the best.Hopefully in 25 years time, we will see a general coming from our Kelantan family!!
Nik Zafri : Thanks Russ. I'm sure in your own capacity, you do have some success stories of your own children to be shared and as parents very proud of it
KHL/Russell : Nik Zafri, one thing good about Malay parents as compared to Chinese, Malay parents are more prepared to send their children to join RMC, Military Colleges and joining military forces. Generally Chinese parents will not allow or encourage for their children to join army or involved in national defence . There is an ancient saying that " good metal don't turn it into nail, good son don't make him a soldier!!". Probably , that old saying has its ancient origins thousands years ago when soldiers were recruited among the rough and touch illiterate classes.
Nik Zafri : I'm surprised, did you know that offlate, even Malay parents are not really prepared to send their kids to UPNM. There are still thoughts that everyone in UPNM has to go to war or they are simply contented with the good monthly 'allowance' being paid to cadets without knowing what their kids have to go through.
What can I say? But again, I saw many Chinese parents during the registration in UPNM even spoken to one of facilitators who is actually a Chinese (apart from Chinese in the marching cadets proudly walking in front of us and also during the Interview in the Terendak Camp Melaka)
What are the odds? I was told that some of the Malay students (after half-way) couldn't bear the army based training in UPNM even asked to be transferred to a normal IPTA.
I told my kids not to discard the old values while making a choice which at first may appear 'controversial to the tradition' but co-exist with it. Old values are not simply cultures (like cultural dance or shows) but they go beyond that, it's about your way of life here on earth. You don't remember practicing it, but when you speak politely to your parents, it means that you are a practitioner without even realizing it.
What is being said (I think)
"Good metal don't turn into nail, good son don't make him a soldier' is actually meant for everyone to not only narrow down to becoming a soldier alone or even a teacher but also businessman, educators, academicians, scientists etc. It all comes together - I'm sure any country do not need soldiers alone but they also need other people of different careers as well. This is evident if you review the history of ancient China even any history of the world.
KHL/Russell : Nik Zafri, I salute you for your positive thinking, and in fact, no easy to have Malays writing good English nowadays. Maybe there are plenty of Malays in your generation write good English, but my children English are also not up to the par.
(di sini beliau menceritakan kesukaran beliau untuk menyertai tentera darat, udara dan laut pada awal 70-an)
Years later, i joined PALAPES (Pasukan Latihan Pegawai Simpanan -Tentera Darat) in UM in the year 1981 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1984. I stayed on with the Wataniah till 2001, a good 21 years in uniform. No regret, i enjoyed my posting to Regiment 512 in Terengganu, 502 in Kuala Lumpur and finaly 506 at Pengkalan Chepa until I called it a day. I guess, Malaysian army has changed now. That is why I salute you and your son, truly, i hope 20-25 years to come, we can see this young man do something to Malaysian defence .
Nik Zafri : Hi again Russ. Thanks for all the compliments which some; I think you're giving me too much credit. Yes, my generation is the last generation (English-Speaking Malays).
My dad was from the remnants of the old British Military Administration (BMA) before it became Askar Melayu (despite the word Melayu there, there were also some Chinese and Indian friends of my dad).
UPNM highest administration have said this (even in their application form - you can check - it says something about referees 'not being in the army' - wow!) during the Kem Terendak interview - that we do not prefer only 'bright straight A students' but selection is made on an 'all rounder'-basis. And during the registration, the DVC said : "Please do not write to the Minister but write to us, if you have any problems" (so, there goes "you know who" and here comes "you know what")
And Yes, you are right, the PALAPES in IPTA is the best and the right move the government have done. And the rest is history as you have adequately put.
Orang awam perlu faham, jika berlaku apa-apa akses ke dalam Kem yang berpotensi mengancam keselamatan, sudah tentunya MP akan bertanggungjawab, silap-silap haribulan kena naik 'court marshall' (mahkamah tentera) yang mungkin menyebabkan MP boleh kehilangan kerja.
Saya sudah lama melihat 'kehebatan' UPNM yang mempunyai cara dan pendekatan yang tersendiri. Ibaratnya jika 100 orang pelajar yang memasuki UPNM, maka 100 juga yang akan keluar dengan masadepan, karier dan gaji yang agak lumayan. Apatah lagi jika pelajar berkenaan adalah anggota kadet.
Begitu juga pelajar awam, walaupun tidak menerima elaun bulanan seperti kadet, tetapi Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi dan MARA (mengambil dua contoh dari banyak contoh-contoh lain), ada memberikan elaun dan wang saku.
Pelajar awam juga amat digalakkan untuk menyertai PALAPES/ROTU dan mendapat elaun ROTU pula. Cuma mungkin pelajar awam terpaksa membeli sendiri makanan dan minuman (yang harganya sangat berpatutan) dan pelajar Kadet diberikan makanan dan minuman percuma (di samping elaun/gaji bulanan yang agak lumayan)
Apakah rahsia UPNM?
Boleh dikatakan rata-rata saya melihat unsur-unsur integrasi yang padu dalam modul-modul pengajarannya iaitu kemahiran (ala-MLVK malah ada yang diakreditasikan oleh MLVK) dan akademik (yang diakreditasikan oleh MQA)
Di sini saya tidaklah bermaksud bahawa IPTA-IPTA dan IPTS-IPTS lain tidak ada unsur kemahiran atau MLVK tetapi UPNM serta suasana ketenteraan di sekelilingnya yang banyak memerlukan sejumlah anggotanya yang bertugas di bengkel-bengkel samada Udara, Laut atau Darat perlu cerdas di bidang teknikal serta kejuruteraan, maka inilah antaranya yang mempengaruhi modul-modul UPNM. (suasana sekitar dan sejarahnya)
Mungkin inilah penyebab utama saya berminat untuk menghantar anak saya melanjutkan pelajaran di UPNM. Kriteria pengambilan juga amat teliti. Antara lain, bukan semata-mata semuanya 'A' dalam SPM tetapi juga dilihat dari segi ko-kurrikulum. Anak saya bertuah kerana telah menyertai Kadet Remaja Sekolah (selain memenangi pelbagai anugerah peringkat sekolah, zon, negeri dan negara) dan seminggu sebelum menyertai UPNM, dia juga baru sahaja menamatkan latihan di Pusat Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) di Ulu Benom, Pahang.
Sebelum itu, sempat saya berborak-borak mesra menerusi Facebook dengan seorang 'senior' saya (berbangsa Cina) - sama-sama menjadi Alumni Maktab Sultan Ismail Kelantan (SICA), izinkan saya memetiknya :
KHL/Russell : This bright young man has good heart, he has involved in national defense at this young age. Wishing your son all the best.Hopefully in 25 years time, we will see a general coming from our Kelantan family!!
Nik Zafri : Thanks Russ. I'm sure in your own capacity, you do have some success stories of your own children to be shared and as parents very proud of it
KHL/Russell : Nik Zafri, one thing good about Malay parents as compared to Chinese, Malay parents are more prepared to send their children to join RMC, Military Colleges and joining military forces. Generally Chinese parents will not allow or encourage for their children to join army or involved in national defence . There is an ancient saying that " good metal don't turn it into nail, good son don't make him a soldier!!". Probably , that old saying has its ancient origins thousands years ago when soldiers were recruited among the rough and touch illiterate classes.
Nik Zafri : I'm surprised, did you know that offlate, even Malay parents are not really prepared to send their kids to UPNM. There are still thoughts that everyone in UPNM has to go to war or they are simply contented with the good monthly 'allowance' being paid to cadets without knowing what their kids have to go through.
What can I say? But again, I saw many Chinese parents during the registration in UPNM even spoken to one of facilitators who is actually a Chinese (apart from Chinese in the marching cadets proudly walking in front of us and also during the Interview in the Terendak Camp Melaka)
What are the odds? I was told that some of the Malay students (after half-way) couldn't bear the army based training in UPNM even asked to be transferred to a normal IPTA.
I told my kids not to discard the old values while making a choice which at first may appear 'controversial to the tradition' but co-exist with it. Old values are not simply cultures (like cultural dance or shows) but they go beyond that, it's about your way of life here on earth. You don't remember practicing it, but when you speak politely to your parents, it means that you are a practitioner without even realizing it.
What is being said (I think)
"Good metal don't turn into nail, good son don't make him a soldier' is actually meant for everyone to not only narrow down to becoming a soldier alone or even a teacher but also businessman, educators, academicians, scientists etc. It all comes together - I'm sure any country do not need soldiers alone but they also need other people of different careers as well. This is evident if you review the history of ancient China even any history of the world.
KHL/Russell : Nik Zafri, I salute you for your positive thinking, and in fact, no easy to have Malays writing good English nowadays. Maybe there are plenty of Malays in your generation write good English, but my children English are also not up to the par.
(di sini beliau menceritakan kesukaran beliau untuk menyertai tentera darat, udara dan laut pada awal 70-an)
Years later, i joined PALAPES (Pasukan Latihan Pegawai Simpanan -Tentera Darat) in UM in the year 1981 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1984. I stayed on with the Wataniah till 2001, a good 21 years in uniform. No regret, i enjoyed my posting to Regiment 512 in Terengganu, 502 in Kuala Lumpur and finaly 506 at Pengkalan Chepa until I called it a day. I guess, Malaysian army has changed now. That is why I salute you and your son, truly, i hope 20-25 years to come, we can see this young man do something to Malaysian defence .
Nik Zafri : Hi again Russ. Thanks for all the compliments which some; I think you're giving me too much credit. Yes, my generation is the last generation (English-Speaking Malays).
My dad was from the remnants of the old British Military Administration (BMA) before it became Askar Melayu (despite the word Melayu there, there were also some Chinese and Indian friends of my dad).
UPNM highest administration have said this (even in their application form - you can check - it says something about referees 'not being in the army' - wow!) during the Kem Terendak interview - that we do not prefer only 'bright straight A students' but selection is made on an 'all rounder'-basis. And during the registration, the DVC said : "Please do not write to the Minister but write to us, if you have any problems" (so, there goes "you know who" and here comes "you know what")
And Yes, you are right, the PALAPES in IPTA is the best and the right move the government have done. And the rest is history as you have adequately put.
Semasa artikel ini ditulis, saya terlihat laporan akhbar The Star Online menyebut :
Published: Wednesday July 24, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday July 24, 2013 MYT 7:56:32 AM
RMC WANTS MORE BUMIS BY JASTIN AHMAD TARMIZI - JASTIN@THESTAR.COM.MY
KUALA LUMPUR: For Royal Military College (RMC) student Leong Kit Tsin, the school has been a learning ground on how to be independent.
“I’ve learnt to be independent as here we have to do everything ourselves.
“We have to dress neatly and clean our rooms,” said the 16-year-old from Petaling Jaya.
“As students here are from different backgrounds, I have learnt the cultures and customs of other races and learnt to respect them. This is really a good place to learn not just academically but also about life.”
Kit Tsin is one of a handful of Chinese students among 242 Form 4 students who started their stint in the school in January.
Published: Wednesday July 24, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday July 24, 2013 MYT 7:56:32 AM
RMC WANTS MORE BUMIS BY JASTIN AHMAD TARMIZI - JASTIN@THESTAR.COM.MY
KUALA LUMPUR: For Royal Military College (RMC) student Leong Kit Tsin, the school has been a learning ground on how to be independent.
“I’ve learnt to be independent as here we have to do everything ourselves.
“We have to dress neatly and clean our rooms,” said the 16-year-old from Petaling Jaya.
“As students here are from different backgrounds, I have learnt the cultures and customs of other races and learnt to respect them. This is really a good place to learn not just academically but also about life.”
Kit Tsin is one of a handful of Chinese students among 242 Form 4 students who started their stint in the school in January.
RMC commandant Col Wan Ghazali Wan Din said that of the total 485 students at RMC, there were only 21 Chinese and 34 Indian students.
The school is currently seeking more non-bumiputra students, especially from among the Chinese.
“We have been lacking non-bumiputra applicants as there has been a misperception about the school,” he said, adding that the Defence Ministry recently increased the minimum quota for non-bumiputra students to 17%.
Application for the new intake closes in October.
“A lot of people think those who join RMC need to join the Armed Forces when they graduate. We are actually trying to correct this misperception,” said Wan Ghazali, adding that since 1987, students from RMC need not join the Armed Forces when they graduate but they could if they wanted to.
He added that another reason for the low number of non-bumiputra applicants was the number of other institutions and places available to students.
“Because of the openings at other colleges and institutions, they have more choices,” he said.
Wan Ghazali said RMC had also taken many steps to make the college more appealing to non-bumiputras, including conducting talks in Chinese and Tamil schools and taking part in Armed Forces events.
Those interested can apply at www.rmc.edu.my.
Jelaslah di sini bahawa bidang akademik/kemahiran ketenteraan telah lama mengamalkan dasar terbuka.
Saya juga sangat yakin, UPNM (malah MTD) juga akan menjadi sebuah IPTA yang setaraf dengan Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, United Kingdom.
Suasana di Kem Sungai Besi dengan pelbagai kor, skuad, unit dan pasukan sudah cukup untuk memberikan semangat patriotik kepada pelajar-pelajarnya - kadet atau awam.
Malah ramai di antara kadet-kadet kanan UPNM yang dihantar ke Lahad Datu baru-baru ini - cukup membuktikan kepada kita betapa tingginya penghargaan Tentera dan Kerajaan Malaysia terhadap UPNM.
Namun, ada sesuatu persoalan yang telah lama bermain di fikiran orang awam seperti saya :
a) Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia,
b) Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia,
c) Regimen Askar Melayu DiRaja Malaysia (RAMD),
d) Regimen Renjer DiRaja,
e) Kor Armor DiRaja, Kor Polis Tentera DiRaja, Kor Risik DiRaja, Kor Kesihatan DiRaja, Kor Perkhidmatan DiRaja, Kor Ordnans DiRAja, Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera Diraja,
f) Regimen Artileri DiRaja,
g) Regimen Semboyan DiRaja,
h) Regimen Askar Jurutera DiRaja,
h) Maktab Tentera DiRaja dll
Rasanya agak janggal apabila sebuah Universiti dan IPTA yang sememangnya berlatarkan suasana ketenteraan tidak ada gelaran 'DiRaja' untuknya.
Gelaran "DiRaja" menunjukkan ianya dinaungi oleh KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau Raja-Raja Melayu. Jika dilihat, IPTA yang bertaraf awam dan tidak berlatarbelakangkan ketenteraan pun dinaungi oleh 'Tuanku Canselor' Kenapa tidak UPNM?
Saya sememangnya kurang mengerti prosedur untuk mendapat gelaran 'DiRaja' dan bukanlah saya menulis artikel ini mewakili UPNM (malah inisiatif saya sendiri)
Rasa saya sebagai rakyat biasa - sudah tiba masanya UPNM mendapat ampuni perkenan DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau KDYMM Al-Sultan Kelantan (Timbalan Yang Di Pertuan Agong) atau mana-mana Raja-Raja Melayu untuk menganugerahi 'gelaran 'Di Raja' kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia" dan ditukar kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Di Raja Malaysia"
Dan DYMM SPB YDP Agong sendiri selayaknya menjadi 'Tuanku Canselor' untuk Universiti ni.
Gelaran ini sangat sesuai diberikan kepada UPNM selaras dengan cara pendekatannya, suasana dan lokasi universiti berkenaan (yang juga menempatkan Maktab Tentera Di Raja (MTD-RMC)).
Saya juga sangat yakin, UPNM (malah MTD) juga akan menjadi sebuah IPTA yang setaraf dengan Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, United Kingdom.
Suasana di Kem Sungai Besi dengan pelbagai kor, skuad, unit dan pasukan sudah cukup untuk memberikan semangat patriotik kepada pelajar-pelajarnya - kadet atau awam.
Malah ramai di antara kadet-kadet kanan UPNM yang dihantar ke Lahad Datu baru-baru ini - cukup membuktikan kepada kita betapa tingginya penghargaan Tentera dan Kerajaan Malaysia terhadap UPNM.
Namun, ada sesuatu persoalan yang telah lama bermain di fikiran orang awam seperti saya :
a) Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia,
b) Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia,
c) Regimen Askar Melayu DiRaja Malaysia (RAMD),
d) Regimen Renjer DiRaja,
e) Kor Armor DiRaja, Kor Polis Tentera DiRaja, Kor Risik DiRaja, Kor Kesihatan DiRaja, Kor Perkhidmatan DiRaja, Kor Ordnans DiRAja, Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera Diraja,
f) Regimen Artileri DiRaja,
g) Regimen Semboyan DiRaja,
h) Regimen Askar Jurutera DiRaja,
h) Maktab Tentera DiRaja dll
Rasanya agak janggal apabila sebuah Universiti dan IPTA yang sememangnya berlatarkan suasana ketenteraan tidak ada gelaran 'DiRaja' untuknya.
Gelaran "DiRaja" menunjukkan ianya dinaungi oleh KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau Raja-Raja Melayu. Jika dilihat, IPTA yang bertaraf awam dan tidak berlatarbelakangkan ketenteraan pun dinaungi oleh 'Tuanku Canselor' Kenapa tidak UPNM?
Saya sememangnya kurang mengerti prosedur untuk mendapat gelaran 'DiRaja' dan bukanlah saya menulis artikel ini mewakili UPNM (malah inisiatif saya sendiri)
Rasa saya sebagai rakyat biasa - sudah tiba masanya UPNM mendapat ampuni perkenan DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau KDYMM Al-Sultan Kelantan (Timbalan Yang Di Pertuan Agong) atau mana-mana Raja-Raja Melayu untuk menganugerahi 'gelaran 'Di Raja' kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia" dan ditukar kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Di Raja Malaysia"
Dan DYMM SPB YDP Agong sendiri selayaknya menjadi 'Tuanku Canselor' untuk Universiti ni.
Gelaran ini sangat sesuai diberikan kepada UPNM selaras dengan cara pendekatannya, suasana dan lokasi universiti berkenaan (yang juga menempatkan Maktab Tentera Di Raja (MTD-RMC)).
