The Malaysian Army Battle of the Bands (BOTB) 2023 music competition that took place at Dataran Sejarah Ayer Keroh last night saw the D’Parawood group from the army’s 10th Parachute (10 Para) Brigade emerged the winner in the formation category and patriotic song category.
The band that took third place at last year’s BOTB defeated other bands to emerge champion of the formation category, taking home RM3,000 and other prizes and RM500 cash for the best patriotic song titled ‘Satu Jiwa, Satu Bangsa’ under the patriotic song category.
The prizes were presented by Army Chief General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman accompanied by the 10 Para Brigade Commander Major General Khairul Azmizal Ahmad Natal and witnessed by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
The first and second runner-ups for the formation category went to Stallion Quatro from the Fourth Division and N’Separang (Fifth Division), while The Thunder (Second Division) was announced as the fourth-place winner.
The Royal Malay Regiment combo was crowned the champion of the corps category, bringing home RM3,000 in cash as well as accompanying prizes and a trophy.
Second place went to the De Electras group from the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers while D'Semenggos (Royal Army Service Corps) and the Royal Ranger Regiment combo took third and fourth place respectively.
The first runner-up winners of the formation and corps categories took away RM2,000 in cash and other prizes while the third-place winners went home with RM1,500 and other prizes.
Meanwhile, Mohammad said to reporters after the competition, the fourth edition of the BOTB was held in conjunction with the 90th Army Day celebration and Melaka Agrofest 2023 to provide a platform for the army personnel to showcase their musical talents.
According to him, BOTB will be held in other states next year and the army welcomes cooperation from interested parties to sponsor the competition.
"We cannot afford to organise this BOTB on a larger scale…as our allocation is very limited," he said.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
