The Malaysian Armed Forces, the military of Malaysia, consists of three branches:
the Malaysian Army the Royal Malaysian Navy
the Royal Malaysian Air Force As of 2014 General Zulkefli Zin serves
as the Chief of Defence Forces. Background
Malaysia's armed forces originated from the formation of local military forces
in the first half of the 20th century, during British colonial rule of Malaya
and Singapore prior to Malaya's independence in 1957. Its role is to
defend the sovereignty and strategic interests of Malaysia from all forms of
threat. It is responsible for assisting civilian
authorities to overcome all international threats, preserve public
order, assist in natural disasters and participate in national development
programs. It is also sustaining and upgrading its capabilities in the
international sphere to uphold the national foreign policy of being
involved under the guidance of the United Nations.
Theatre of operations The main theatres of operations were
within Malaysian borders, primarily to fight an insurgency led by the Communist
Party of Malaya in what was known as the Emergency. The only foreign incursion of
Malaysian territory in modern times were in World War II by Japan and during the
Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation by Indonesia under the leadership of
President Sukarno. Operations on foreign soil have mainly been peacekeeping
operations under the auspices of the United Nations.
First Emergency An insurrection and guerrilla war of the
Malayan Races Liberation Army organised by the CPM against the British and
Malayan administration. Congo Peacekeeping Mission
A contingent of 1,947 personnel were dispatched as part of the United Nations
Operation in the Congo or ONUC. This contingent was known as the Malayan
Special Force to the Congo and their experiences there were later recounted
through the drawings of the cartoonist, Rejabhad.
Sarawak Communist Insurgency An insurrection and guerrilla war of the
Sarawak Communist Organisation against the British and Malaysian governments to
establish an independent nation comprising the states of Sabah, Sarawak
and Brunei. The insurgency ended when the NKCP signed a peace treaty with the
Malaysian government in 1990. Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
An intermittent armed conflict between Malaysia and Indonesia with skirmishes
mainly occurring in Sarawak and Sabah in the island of Borneo. In 1964, armed
raids were made on Peninsular Malaysia. Combat eased with the deposing of
Indonesia's President Sukarno in 1965 by the Indonesian army and the conflict was
declared over by both sides in 1966. Communist Insurgency War
A low level resurgence of insurgent activity by the armed elements of the
CPM from sanctuaries in the Malaysian-Thai border. The insurgency
was only ended after the CPM signed a peace treaty with the Governments of
Malaysia and Thailand on 2 December 1989.
Iran/Iraq Border Participated as part of the UN Iran-Iraq
Military Observer Group to supervise the Iran–Iraq War ceasefire.
Namibia Contributed a battalion to the UN
Transition Assistance Group to supervise Namibia's elections and transition to
independence. Western Sahara
A contingent of observers under the Mission for the Referendum in Western
Sahara to help implement a ceasefire between the Polisario Front & Morocco
and help promote referendum on area's future.
Angola A contingent was sent under the United
Nations Angola Verification Mission II to enforce the ceasefire in Angolan
civil war. Iraq/Kuwait Border
A contingent was sent under the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission
to monitor the demilitarised zone along the Iraq-Kuwait border, deter border
violations and report on any hostile action.
Cambodia An observer team was sent under the
United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia to aid in the administration of
Cambodia and to organise and run elections.
Bosnia and Herzegovina A peacekeeping contingent known as
MALBATT Command was sent initially under the United Nations Protection Force from
1993–1995 with deployments at Konjic, Jablanica and Pazarić in Hadžići.
Following the Dayton Agreement, forces were redeployed as MALCON Command under
the NATO led Implementation Force in Operation Joint Endeavor with
deployments at Livno, Glamoč and Kupres. MALCON further participated as part of
the NATO led Stabilisation Force until 1998. Up to 8,000 troops were eventually
deployed in this theatre of operations. Liberia
An observer team of 3 officers was sent under the United Nations Observer
Mission in Liberia to support the efforts of the Economic Community of
West African States and the Liberian National Transitional Government to
implement peace agreements signed between the warring parties in Liberia.
Somalia A contingent known as MALBATT was sent
under the United Nations Operation in Somalia II to take appropriate action,
including enforcement measures, to establish throughout Somalia a secure
environment for humanitarian assistance. During its deployment, MALBATT was
involved in the Battle of Mogadishu which saw 1 personnel killed in action
and 7 others wounded in action during the relief operations to aid the
surrounded troops of the United States' Task Force Ranger. On 18 January 1994,
Lieutenant General Aboo Samah Bin Aboo Bakar was appointed the Commander of
UNOSOM II forces. His appointment also saw the United Nations revise the
mandate of UNOSOM II to stop using "coercive methods" in the discharge of
their duties while retaining "some capability to defend its personnel if
circumstances so warrant." Mozambique
A team of observers were sent under the United Nations Operations in Mozambique.
2013 Lahad Datu standoff (The rest of the entries below require a
clean-up) Deployed a contingent called Malaysian
Medical Team to Chaman, Pakistan to treat refugees from Afghanistan during
the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Deployed approximately a brigade-sized
force on islands surrounding Sabah waters in Ops Pasir to prevent the
recurrence of 2000 Sipadan kidnappings. Deployed a contingent to Acheh after the
tsunami disaster in 2004. Deployed MASMEDTIM to Pakistan during
the 2005 quake. Deployed in Southern Philippines as a
part of monitoring force agreed upon by both the Philippine Government and Moro
Islamic Liberation Front/MILF. Deployed in East Timor/East Leste
together with Australian, Portuguese and New Zealand forces at the request of
East Timor Government. The first team of 25 soldiers from 10 Para Brigade, Royal
Intelligence Corp and Commando Regiment were deployed on a fact-finding mission
before being reinforced by another 209 soldiers.
Deployed in South Lebanon on peace keeping role at present after the
withdrawal of Israeli Military forces early 2007. Unit mainly consist of
GGK,PASKAL, PASKAU and PARA elements. Other limited participation under UNPKO
are United Nations International Police Force since December 1995; United
Nations Mission in Kosovo since June 1999; United Nations Observer Mission in
Sierra Leone since October 1999; United Nations Transitional Administration in
East Timor since September 1999 and United Nations Organisation Mission in
Democratic Republic of Congo since February 2000.
18 Malaysian Armed Forces personnel have been killed during UN peacekeeping
operations. Current developments
Malaysian defence requirements are assigned to the Malaysian Armed Forces.
The armed forces has three branches, the Royal Malaysian Navy, Malaysian Army,
and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Malaysia does not have conscription, and
the required minimum age for voluntary military service is 18.
In the early 1990s, Malaysia undertook a major program to expand and modernise
its armed forces. However, budgetary constraints imposed by the 1997 Asian
financial crisis held many of the procurements. The recent economic
recovery may lead to relaxation of budgetary constraints on the resumption
of major weapons purchases. In October 2000 the Defence Minister also announced
a review of national defence and security policy to bring it up to date.
The review addressed new security threats that have emerged in the form of
low intensity conflicts, such as the kidnapping of Malaysians and foreigners
from resort islands located off the east coast of the state of Sabah and risk
rising territory dispute with several neighbour countries. Currently, 1.4% of
Malaysia's GDP is spent on the military, which employs 1.23% of Malaysia's
manpower. Dr Kogila Balakrishnan is the head of the Defence Industry.
= Malaysian Army = Since the recovery from the 1997
economic crisis, the army's modernisation program gained momentum.
= Royal Malaysian Navy = The RMN's Lekiu class frigate second
batch have been cancelled in 2009. Following the completion of the
Kedah-class offshore patrol vessel, Malaysia's New Generation Patrol Vessel
program, Malaysia has ordered six Second Generation Patrol Vessel. Malaysia is
also looking to purchase 2 more Scorpène-class submarines, as well as a
batch of Multi-Purpose Support Ship and maritime patrol aircraft.
= Royal Malaysian Air Force = TUDM has traditionally looked to the
West for its purchases, primarily to the United States. However, limitation
imposed by the United States on "new technology" to the region such as the
AIM-120 AMRAAM fire-and-forget air-to-air missiles has made TUDM
consider purchases from Russia and other non-traditional sources.
= National Service = In early 2004, the Ministry of Defence
also initiated a compulsory National Service program for 18 years old
Malaysians. Participants of the Malaysian National Service are chosen
randomly. Currently, only 20% of those eligible are inducted but plans call for
this program to eventually cover all 18-year-olds. Although under the purview
of the Ministry of Defence, the National Service is not a military programme.
Draftees are taught basic hand-to-hand combat and handling of certain weapons,
including Colt M16s by military instructors, but are not expected to be
conscripted or called into military draft. It is described as a nation and
community building programme and incorporate other training modules
including character learning and civics. = Defence Research and Development =
In light of the increasing crude oil price worldwide, the military had
volunteered in a pioneering program to use biodiesel. By next year, all
diesel-type vehicle in the Malaysian Armed Forces will be using biodiesel
consisting of 95% diesel and 5% oil palm diesel.
Although MoD announced a redraw from funding the Eagle ARV research program.
Composite Technology and Research Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. joined venture with
Kramatic Systems Sdn. Bhd. and System Consultancy Services Sdn. Bhd.(SCS) had
come close with another development, the ALUDRA MK I/MK II. It was reported
during the LIMA 07, Malaysian army and Joint Forces Command had showed strong
interest toward the indigenous tactical UAV.
There is also a new development unveiled during the celebration of the Malaysia's
50th independence. It is a laser guide projectile code name Taming Sari XK98,
but no further details were enclosed. It was first spotted by the public when it
participated the celebration parade. = M4 Carbine Procurement =
During the 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. This decision has been
finalised. Malaysia had also obtained a licensed product line of the rifle under
SME Ordnance. The first batch of the weapon is expected to be delivered by
year 2008. = Highlight =
On 18 July 2007, five days after the wreckage of a Nuri helicopter was found
near Genting Sempah, Pahang, Defence Minister Najib Razak announced that the
Malaysian government will call soon for an international tender for new
helicopters to replace the ageing fleet. In September 2008, Malaysia announced
the selection of the Eurocopter EC725 for an initial order of 12 helicopters.
However, the contract award has been indefinitely delayed due to budgetary
constraints. Eurocopter signed a co-operation contract with the Malaysian
Ministry of Defence at the 49th Paris air show in June 2011, related to the
supply of the 12 EC 725 helicopters to Royal Malaysian Air Force for search and
rescue operations. These new aircraft will replace the existing fleet of
Sikorsky S-61 Sea King rotorcraft. Deliveries will begin in 2012 and are
expected to conclude in 2014. = DSA 2008 =
On 21 April 2008, first days of DSA 2008 Ministry Of Defence Malaysia has made a
new procument worth RM1.2 billion. The new procument involving 8 unit ACV-S
300, additional 30 unit ACV 300 with various variant from local firm DRB
Hicom Technologies Sdn Bhd which expected full delivery on 2010. Another
procument involving new 85 HUMVEE Spain version from Master Defence Sdn Bhd, of
which 25 are as Igla platform carrier and the rest configured in AGL/HMG role.
= Marines corps = Defence Minister Hishammuddin Tun
Hussein said in a statement on 10 October 2013, Malaysia is planning on
establishing a marines corps for amphibious operation. The marine will be
drawn from all three services and the bulk of it is from one of the three
parachute battalions of the 10 Paratrooper Brigade which will be
re-designated as a marine battalion. The 9th Royal Malay Regiment and 8th Royal
Ranger Regiment have both conducted amphibious warfare training as a
secondary mission and most recently in June 2013 during the CARAT exercise with
the US Marine Corps and subsequently in an amphibious landing exercise with
French troops and the landing platform dock FNS Tonnerre. Malaysian government
has yet to decide whether the marines will fall under Malaysian Army or Royal
Malaysian Navy. International actions
The Five Power Defence Arrangement between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia,
New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, is a regional security initiative which has
been in place for almost 40 years. It involves joint military exercises held
between the 5 countries. Joint exercises and war games also been
held with Brunei, China, Indonesia and the United States. Malaysia,
Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam have agreed to host joint security force
exercises to secure their maritime border and tackle issues such as illegal
immigration, piracy and smuggling. There are fears that extremist militants
activities in the Muslim areas of the southern Philippines and southern
Thailand would spill over into Malaysia. See also
Counter-terrorism in Malaysia Foreign relations of Malaysia
Malaysian Armed Forces Council Malaysian Special Operations Force
National Defence University of Malaysia References
Further reading Robert Karniol, 'Country Briefing:
Malaysia,' Jane's Defence Weekly, 25 November 1995, p. 25–40
External links Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters
Website Perspective from a military personnel in
The Liaison (malaysiandefence.com)