The High Commission of Malaysia in Islamabad screened the movie “PASKAL” at the beautifully constructed and manged auditorium at the Malaysian residence on the eve of 05 July 2024. The Movie is one of the most expensive Malaysian film ever made, with a budget of RM10 million (US$2.4 million).
It is based on actual events of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Special Forces Team during the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Angola in 1998, and the successful rescue of the hijacked MV Bunga Laurel trade vessel in 2011. The cost of filming was about RM10 million. The shooting was conducted at several locations within and outside of Malaysia, including Lumut, Semporna, and Istanbul, Turkey.
The film netted an overall profit of more than RM30 million across Malaysia and Singapore,making it one of the highest-grossing local films in Malaysia. In December 2018, PASKAL was listed by the local Malaysian newspaper Harian Metro as among the top 10 local films in Malaysian history.
The High Commissioner Dato Mohammad Azhar Mazlan hosted the event in connection with ASEAN movie night in Islamabad that started in the last weak of June. Federal Minister Information and Broadcasting Ataa Ullah Tarar was the chief guest.
At the screening , a large number of guests from diplomatic community , civil society and media persons were invited. They included Ambassadors and High Commissioners from ASEAN and other regions. Dean of Diplomatic Corp Ambassador Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov , Ambassador Turkiye Dr Mehmen Pecaci, Ambassador Philippines Ms Maria Agnes, DHM Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Ambassador Syria and many other diplomats watched the movie.
H.E Mazlan , in his introductory remarks , apprised the guests about the plot and background of the movie. The guests including the Minister took keen interest in the movie that was obviously telling a lot about the patriotism of Malaysian people and military, the professionalism, expertise in commando action and the best technical, audio visual abilities to portray the true story on the silver screen.
Minister Ataa Ullah Tarar, while talking to media spoke highly about Pakistan’s relations with Malaysia. He expressed Keenness of Pakistan to enhance already present close and cordial ties with brotherly country.
This scribe asked him that both countries can plan to co produce movies like Pakistan and Indonesia had in 70s a co production “Banddish” with Nadeem, Shabnam and Indonesian actors in the cast. It was shot in Indonesia. The Minister replied in positive and shared that Pakistani side is ready for that and we can see the possibilities. He invited the media persons to his office to further discuss it in detail.
In 2018, a supertanker, Laurel 11 (based on the real-life Bunga Laurel), was hijacked by Somali pirates at the Gulf of Aden one night. The Royal Malaysian Navy picks up the distress call and KA Bunga Mas Lima, which was bound for home after a long operation at sea, comes to aid.
The pirate’s refusal to negotiate prompted Commander Maznan to deploy the Navy’s elite special operations unit, PASKAL, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Arman Rahmat. Two boats and a Super Lynx helicopter[8] were deployed for the mission. Their swift and stealthy tactics ensured the eventual success of the operation with the pirates subdued and captured.
Tazeen Akhtar
