Royal Malaysian Army

From Open Encyclopedia

The Royal Malaysian Army is a branch of the Malaysian military.

1 Infantry
2 Armour
3 Army Corps and Regiments
4 External links

Infantry

The first formation of military force can be traced to The Malay States Volunteer Rifles which existed from 1915-1936. The birth of Malaysian Army started when the Federal Council of Federated Malay States eventually passed the Malay Regiment Bill on 23 January 1933. This allowed the initial recruitment of 25 males for 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 new battalion was formed on 1 Jan 1938 with the second batalion on 1 Dec 1941. The 1st Malay Regiment was famous for its defence of Opium Hill or Bukit Chandu in Singapore. The ‘Battle of Opium Hill’ on 14 February 1942 involves 42 soldiers commanded by Lt. Adnan Saidi defending their position against the attack from the 18th Division of the Japanese Imperial Army under Lt.Gen. Renya Mutaguchi. After World War II, the number of batalions was increased to 7 in the early 50s.

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Armour

The first Armoured Regiment was formed on 1 September 1952. The name underwent a few transformations from Federation Reconnaissance Corps on 16 September 1967, Royal Malaysian Recon Corp in May 1979 to Royal Cavalry Corp in December 1979 to finally to Royal Armoured Corp on 8 December 1986.

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Army Corps and Regiments

The Royal Malaysian Army currently has 17 corps or regiments under its wing. They are:

Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja (Royal Malay Regiment) is the first regiment of the RMA. As its name suggests, only Malays are allowed to join. It also has its own Mechanized Brigade as well as 2 rapid-deploy paratrooper brigades.

Rejimen Renjer DiRaja (Royal Rangers Regiment) is a multi-racial version of RAMD. Its primary task is to assist the RAMD and they are trained in almost aspect of the conventional warfare, just like RAMD.

Kor Armor DiRaja (Royal Armour Corps) is the armoured corps of the RMA. It will be receiving 48 Twardy PT-91 Main Battle Tanks from Poland, which will be a valuable asset to the RMA's arsenal.

Rejimen Artileri Diraja (Royal Artillery Regiment) is the artillery corps of the RMA.

Rejimen Semboyan Diraja (Royal Signals Regiment) is in charge of communications and electronic warfare during the war. It also utilises the Early Warning and Detection System such as Radar.

Rejimen Gerak Khas (Special Forces Regiment); all the elites, experts and specialists of various warfare gather here. It is also the home of the Commando battalions that capable of conduct unconventional warfare or special operations without the restrictions of the terrain.

Kor Perkhidmatan Am (Royal General Services Corps) is a branch of RMA that handles all paperworks and administration, as well as the financial management of the entire army.

Kor Polis Tentera Diraja (Royal Military Police Corps); this branch of MA trains Military Police army personnels that will serve as a disciplinary control of all army personnels within the country. They also provide the security services on every single army barracks's gateway.

Kor Kesihatan Diraja (Royal Medical Corps) trains medics and surgeon specialists that serves as life savers on the battlefield. They are also taking part in United Nation's Peace Keeping Operations where they will not only serve the RMA, but the refugees and civillians in times of need.

Kor Risik Diraja (Royal Intelligence Corps) speciallise in nerve warfare, surveillance, spying, reconnaissance and counter-intelligence operations. they also filters the background of recruits when they first enroll in any training courses.

Kor Perkhidmatan Diraja (Royal Logistics Corps); ferrying of troops and military supplies are performed by this regiment.

Kor Ordnans Diraja (Royal Ordnance Corps) ensures that all military supplies and ordnance are in good storage and maintains the security of the army's inventory.

Rejimen Askar Jurutera Diraja (Royal Engineering Regiment) is the place which deals with demolition, forming bridges for transportation and also the repair of military infrastructure such as airbase runways or clearing obstacles in emergency situations.

Kor Juru Letrik dan Jentera Diraja (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps) takes care of all vehicles and machinery of MA and maintains their usability at all times.

Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera (KAGAT) performs religious services for Muslim army personnels of MA. They also provide counselling and conduct ritual prayers on the battlefield.

Rejimen Askar Wataniah (Territorial Army Regiment) forms the second line of defence of the entire Malaysia, formed by college students, professionals and civillians, they provide support for the regular armed forces of Malaysia and security services of key infrastrutures in times of conflict. They can also act as recon agents in times of need.

Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat (Army Air Corps) is the air support formed by a group of ex-RMAF officers. This newest squad provides air cover, transportation or ferry, limited air support and also air reconnaissance using helicopters.

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