The Malaysian Army is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped
in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title
‘royal’ as do the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Instead, the title is bestowed on selected army corps and regiments who
have been accorded the honour by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is the
Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
History The first military units in Malaysia can
be traced back to the Penang Rifle Volunteers raised in 1 March 1861, and
the Malay States Volunteer Rifles which existed from 1915 to 1936.
The birth of the modern Malaysian Army came about when the Federal Council of
the Federated Malay States passed the Malay Regiment Bill on 23 January 1933.
This allowed the initial recruitment of 25 males for the First Experimental
Malay Company on 1 March 1933. Major G. McI. S. Bruce of the Lincolnshire
Regiment was the first Commanding Officer.
By 1 January 1935, the Experimental Company became The Malay Regiment with a
complement of 150 men. A battalion was formed on 1 January 1938 and eventually
a second battalion on 1 December 1941. The 1st Bn Malay Regiment was famous for
its defence of Opium Hill or Bukit Chandu in Singapore. The ‘Battle of
Opium Hill’ on 14 February 1942 involved 42 soldiers commanded by Lt. Adnan Bin
Saidi who defended their position against attack from the 18th Division of
the Japanese Imperial Army under Lt. Gen. Renya Mutaguchi. After World War II
and during the Malayan Emergency, the number of battalions was increased to 7
in the early 50s. The Kor Armor DiRaja can trace its roots
to the formation on 1 September 1952 of the Federation Reconnaissance Squadron.
It was later merged with the Federation Regiment to form the Federation
Reconnaissance Corps. The name underwent a few transformations from the Malaysian
Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Malaysian Reconnaissance Corps to Royal Cavalry
Corps and finally to Kor Armor DiRaja on 8 December 1986.
The Royal Ranger Regiment's lineage began in 1863 as the paramilitary
Sarawak Rangers. Although the 2nd in the order of precedence, it is the oldest
active formation of the Army. Organisation and structure
The Malaysian Army is currently organised into five Divisions and are
placed under the Field Army Headquarters. Three of which are based
on the Malaysian Peninsular, while the two are based on Malaysian Borneo. The
Grup Gerak Khas, 10th Parachute Brigade and the Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat are
independent formations and directly subordinate to the Chief of the Army.
The Malaysian Army currently has 17 Corps or Regiments. These are grouped
into 3 main components: the Combat Element, the Combat Support Element and
the Support Elements. Rank Structure
The Malaysian Army uses a rank structure [1] inherited from the British Army. the
Malaysian Army rank structure has 17 levels from Private to General. These
ranks are divided into 2 groups - Officer and Other Ranks which includes
the Non-Commissioned Officer ranks. = Officers=
Officers are sub-divided into 3 groups:- Senior Officers This group consists of
officers holding the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General,
Major General, Lieutenant General and General
Field Officers Field Officers are officers holding the rank of Major
Junior Officers This group consists of Second Lieutenant, Lieutenant and
Captain grade officers. Other Ranks This group begins at Private
and works its way up to Warrant Officer I. This is further subdivided into 3
groups: Senior NCO This group includes NCOs
holding the rank of Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Warrant Officer II and Warrant
Officer I. Junior NCO This group includes NCOs
holding the rank of Lance Corporal and Corporal.
Private Private soldiers in the Malaysian Army do not wear any rank
devices on their uniform. There are no distinctions made between junior or
senior Privates. Corps and regiments
Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja Rejimen Renjer DiRaja
Rejimen Sempadan Kor Armor DiRaja
Rejimen Artileri DiRaja Rejimen Semboyan DiRaja
Kor Perkhidmatan Am Kor Polis Tentera DiRaja;
Kor Kesihatan DiRaja Kor Risik DiRaja
Kor Perkhidmatan DiRaja; Kor Ordnans DiRaja
Rejimen Askar Jurutera DiRaja Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera DiRaja
Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera Rejimen Askar Wataniah
Rejimen Gerak Khas Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat
= Combat element= Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja
This is the most senior regiment of the Malaysian Army. Its ranks are recruited
from amongst the Malay population. The Regiment has 25 battalions. The 1st
Battalion, the most senior in the Regiment, currently undertakes
ceremonial and Royal Guard duties. The remainder are configured as 20 Standard
Infantry Battalions, two Mechanised Infantry Battalions and two Parachute
Infantry Battalions. The regiment uses rifle green berets except two battalions
that wear maroon berets. See 17 RAMD Para Weblog The 19th Bn Royal Malay
Regiment was involved in the rescue of US Rangers and Delta Force operatives in
Somalia during the Battle of Mogadishu. The unit of 32 Radpanzer Condor APCs and
113 men from MALBATT 1 went in with the United States 10th Mountain Division to
rescue the trapped Rangers. Four APCs were immobilised and were destroyed by
US helicopter gunships. 19 Royal Malay Regiment suffered 1 soldier killed in
action, PFC Mat Aznan Awang while 8 others were wounded in action. Pfc Mat
Aznan Awang was later promoted posthumously to Corporal and was awarded
with Pingat Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa, the nation's highest gallantry award. In
total, 7 officers and 26 NCOs were awarded various medals for their valour
during the operation, the highest number of men recommended for medals in a
single unit in a single operation. Rejimen Renjer DiRaja
This is a multi-racial unit organised along similar lines to the Rejimen Askar
Melayu DiRaja. There are currently 10 battalions within this regiment. The
Regiment traces its roots to the Sarawak Rangers and the Sarawak Constabulary,
famed jungle trackers who had a deadly reputation during the Malayan Emergency
and during the Communist Party of Malaya’s insurgency in Malaysia. The 8th
Bn Royal Ranger Regiment was the first infantry battalion in the Malaysian Army
to undergo conversion into an airborne battalion. The unit is currently
assigned to the elite 10 Brigade. The Malaysian Army's most decorated soldier,
WOI Kanang anak Langkau was a Regimental Sergeant Major of 8 Ranger.
Rejimen Sempadan This is a newly created regiment from
the 300 series Territorial Army units in charge of the border. The Deputy Prime
Minister and Defence Minister, Najib Tun Razak, announced on 1 July 2006 the
formation of a new regiment specifically for border patrol. Members of the
regiment will be taken from various regiments and corps, most notably from
the Rejimen Askar Wataniah. It is believed that the army will form about 2
to 3 brigades of this new regiment. The new regiment was officially raised on 9
February 2008 by Najib Tun Razak at Tanah Merah, Kelantan.
Kor Armor DiRaja provides the armour capability for the Malaysian Army.
Currently, the Corps consists of 5 battalions, which are equipped with
various armoured personnel carriers and light combat vehicles. Rejimen ke-11 of
the Kor Armor DiRaja is the sole user of 48 PT-91M Main Battle Tanks from Poland.
= Combat Support element= Rejimen Artileri Diraja is the artillery
corps of the Malaysian Army and provides artillery support and local air defence
for army units. The regiment is equipped with 36 Brazilian-made Astros II
multiple launch rocket systems and 28 G5 MkIII towed artillery guns from South
Africa. Air defence is provided using a mix of Swiss Oerlikon twin 35 mm and
Swedish Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft artillery and missile systems such as
the Jernas and Starburst from the UK, Anza from Pakistan, FN-6 from China and
Igla from Russia. Malaysia committed to purchase Starstreak V-Shorads missiles
from the UK in 2015. Rejimen Semboyan Diraja is in charge of
strategic communication, tactical communications, electronic warfare and
early warning systems such as radar. Kor Polis Tentera DiRaja deploys as part
of the field army, in support of army operations, and enforces proper conduct
among army personnel. Aside from being responsible for base security, the
military police are also tasked with preventing and investigating criminal
activities on army property or by military personnel.
Rejimen Askar Jurutera DiRaja is tasked with demolitions, bridge-laying and the
repair of military infrastructure, such as airbase runways, or clearing
obstacles in emergency situations. Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera DiRaja
is responsible for the maintenance of all vehicles and machinery of the
Malaysian Army. Kor Risik DiRaja specialises in
psychological warfare, surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance and
counter-intelligence operations. Aside from handling propaganda and
counter-propaganda, the corps is also tasked with conducting background checks
on recruits when they first enroll in any training courses.
= Support elements= Kor Ordnans DiRaja ensures that all
military supplies and ordnance are stored, secured and inventoried
properly. Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera performs
religious services for Muslim and Christian personnel of the Malaysian
Army. It also provides counselling and conducts ritual prayers on the
battlefield. Kor Perkhidmatan DiRaja is in charge of
transporting troops and supplies to the various units of the Malaysian Army.
Kor Kesihatan DiRaja provides training for Army medics and other specialists.
It runs the Armed Forces hospitals and provides the battlefield mobile
hospitals. The unit has also provided relief MALMEDTIMs to Pakistan,
Afghanistan [2], West Sahara, Indonesia and Palestine.
Kor Perkhidmatan Am handles administration and financial management
for the entire army. = Special Forces=
Rejimen Gerak Khas is the Malaysian Army's special forces and commando
regiment. 21 Gerup Gerak Khas is the operational home of various specialists
and the Commando battalions, which are capable of conducting unconventional
warfare or special operations. One of the known foreign operations involving
this regiment was in an attack by Somali militia on a convoy transporting UN
Intelligence Chief in UNOSOM II on 18 July 1994. In the action, two members of
the regiment were killed in action, while another four were wounded. One of
the injured men was taken hostage by the militia and was released nine hours
later. 10 Paratrooper Brigade is an elite
airborne unit tasked with being rapidly deployed inside or outside the
boundaries of Malaysia. 10th Para is the key element of the Malaysian Rapid
Deployment Force and it is Malaysia primary main offensive force in time of
war or emergencies. = Air unit=
Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat is the Army Aviation branch formed around a core of
Royal Malaysian Air Force officers. This new Army formation is tasked with
liaison duties, providing limited transport capabilities, close air
support and also air reconnaissance using light observation helicopters. The
unit currently has one squadron, No. 881 Squadron, which is equipped with 11
Agusta A109 light helicopters. The main Army Air Corps base is located in
Kluang, Johor. = Reserves=
Rejimen Askar Wataniah forms the second line of Malaysia's defence. Formed by
college students, professionals and civilians, it provides support for the
regular armed forces of Malaysia and is responsible for the security of key
installations in times of conflict. Originally tasked with area and local
defence, the Rejimen Askar Wataniah units have been reconfigured and will
perform front line duties alongside regular units when the need arises.
Rejimen Askar Wataniah units, such as armoured squadrons, are integral units
of several Kor Armor DiRaja regiments. Strength
The personnel strength of the Malaysian Army is approximately 80,000 personnel
in the Active Army, 50,000 in the Active Reserve and 26,600 active and 244,700
reservists in the Paramilitary. The Malaysian Army consists of 4
infantry divisions, 9 infantry brigades, 1 special forces brigade, 1 airborne
brigade and 1 mechanised brigade, composed of:
36 Light Infantry Battalions 3 Airborne Infantry Battalions
3 Mechanised Infantry Battalions 5 Armoured battalions
1 light tank squadron 13 Artillery Regiments
3 Special Forces Regiments 3 field engineer regiments
1 airborne infantry squadron 1 construction regiment
4 military police regiments 1 signals regiment
1 intelligence unit 1 helicopter squadron
The territorial army includes: 16 light infantry regiments
2 border surveillance brigades 5 highway surveillance battalions
2 field engineer regiments Equipment
Present Development Since the recovery from the 1997
economic crisis, MA, along with other branches of the MAF, has regained
momentum in its modernising programs. The first major procurement was to set a
milestone by building its first ever main battle tank regiment. MA received
delivery of 48 PT-91M main battle tanks and other tank-based equipment, like ARV
WZT-4 from Poland, fully completed contract of sale in March 2010. Despite
adding some 28 units of South African G5 Mk III 155 mm howitzers, another major
procurement was 18 units of Astros MLRS from Brazil, which delivery was
completed in 2006. A second batch of 18 MRLS was ordered in 2007. MA is also
rapidly mechanising its current inventory - 211 Adnan IFVs were acquired
by the army in 2004. Following a more recent procurement of the Pakistani
Bakhtar-Shikan Anti-armor missile launcher, these were installed on the
Adnans. MA is now shifting its emphasis on
enhancing its air wing. In September 2006, MA received its 11th and last
Agusta-Westland A109H Light Utility Helicopter. These helicopters are to
initially complement, and ultimately replace, the ageing SA316B Aérospatiale
Alouette III helicopters. Six of them were to be installed with light arms and
to be tasked to a scout observation unit; a sample was shown in LIMA 07. The
configuration of the remainder is unclear. Furthermore, the army will also
receive S61A-4 Nuri multipurpose helicopters after they are retired from
RMAF; these will form the backbone of the army’s very first air transport
units - 881 and 882 squadrons of the army air wing.
In the same year, at the biannual Defence Services Asia 2006, Malaysia
announced that the US made M4 Carbine service rifle will replace the
Austrian-made Steyr AUG service rifle for all three Malaysian Armed Forces
services. The army will receive the new weapon soon.
There is also a requirement for an upgrade to the current air defence
network. However, a dispute between the army and the air force on whether to
introduce a mid-range SAM system had led to the procurement being put on hold.
According to a recent interview of the army’s chief of staff, Ismail bin Haji
Jamaluddin, the army has no intention of taking over the mid-range air defence
role. = Future Soldier System=
The Malaysian Army currently has a soldier modernisation programme called
the Future Soldier System. Under the FSS, The Malaysian Army plans to equip
all soldiers with Personal Protection Equipment such as Kevlar helmets, Kevlar
vests, Oakley goggles and ear protection equipment. The programme also includes
arming all the standard issue M4 carbines with SOPMOD kits, as well as
equipping soldiers with a Glock series pistol.
Sapura, a Malaysian electronics company, is offering their SAKTI soldier system
concept via work in three areas: Head Sub-System, Body Sub-System and Weapon
Sub-System. The HSS consists of a Helmet–Mounted Micro Camera and night
vision capability with a data output, helmet-mounted display and earpiece and
microphone; the WSS consists of a the Rifle Control Unit consisting of a
five-button wireless controller for one handed use with key features including
push to talk for the radio, switching the HMD on and off, turning the HMD
brightness up and down as well as video transmission to friendly forces. The BSS
consists of a controller system, energy unit with a power pack for the
communication interface, micro-camera and HMD with a single polymer lithium
ion battery for up to ten hours of operation; a communications interface
for secure IP based radio which from the image is a Thales St@rmille radio and
finally a navigation unit with a display for blue force tracking and situational
awareness, colour digital mapping and terrain and urban profile analysis. The
system displayed is visually similar to the Kord Defence SmartGrip RIC developed
in partnership with Thales Australia. References
Notes Works cited
International Institute for Strategic Studies. The Military Balance 2012.
London: IISS. ISSN 0459-7222. External links
Malaysian Army Official Website Malaysian Armed Forces Official Website
Malaysian Ministry of Defence Official Website