Ranjit, who served in the armed forces for 34 years, expressed his gratefulness for the trust given to him to continue to safeguard the state and country.

Born on June 17, 1955, in Melalap (Tenom), he became the first local to take over the commander's post in the brigade's 48-history.

"As a local, it is an honour to serve and protect the country especially my hometown and I will repay this trust by carrying it out in the best possible way.

"I will continue to carry out the efforts and plans that have been outlined and arranged by the previous commander (Brigadier-General Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Jalal)," he said when contacted yesterday.

Ranjit, who grew up in Kampung Kuala Kimanis, Papar, received his primary education at SK St Agnes, here and secondary education at SMK St Joseph in Papar.

He said his interest in the military led him to join the Royal Military College in Nov 1973. He was only 18 years old at the time.

Ranjit has also served overseas and participated in the United Nations observer mission in Congo in 2004.