41st Royal Artillery Battery Ensures a Flawless Independence Day Salute

The 14 cannon shots heard over Putrajaya during Malaysia’s 2026 National Day celebrations depended on six soldiers making sure every command arrived on time.

Members of the 41st Royal Artillery Regiment ceremonial battery travelled from Sungai Buloh Camp in Selangor to operate the ceremonial guns. The salute was fired from the parking area of Masjid Tuanku Zainal Abidin as Negaraku played.

Captain Muhammad Zameer Zolkaifli, the firing and observation commander, directed the crew before each shot. The 14 rounds came from six M102 105mm howitzers and lasted between one minute and 16 seconds, with five or six shots fired in each sequence.

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The duration of the firing was between one minute and 16 seconds, with five to six rounds for each firing sequence.

It was Muhammad Zameer’s second time leading the operation and his first after handling the task at the 2025 National Day celebration. He said he had felt nervous last year but was better prepared this time.

His main responsibility was to keep the personnel ready and deliver each instruction accurately under the ceremonial protocol. Every shot had a specified time and order, requiring the crew to follow his commands closely.

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My main task is to ensure that all personnel are ready and that every command is delivered accurately according to the prescribed ceremonial protocol.