The Malaysian Army (Malay: Tentera Darat Malaysia; Jawi: تنترا دارت مليسيا) is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ (diraja) as do the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Instead, the title is bestowed on selected army corps and regiments who have been accorded the honour by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong ('The King of Malaysia'), who is the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
History
The first military units in Malaysia can be traced back to the Penang Volunteer Rifle raised on 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 in the Haig Lines camp in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. 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 (Bukit Chandu) in Singapore. The ‘Battle of Opium Hill’ on 14 February 1942 involved 42 soldiers commanded by Lt. Adnan 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 seven in the early 1950s. The Kor Armor DiRaja ('Royal Armoured Corps') 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 (16 September 1967), Royal Malaysian Reconnaissance Corps (May 1979) to Royal Cavalry Corps (December 1979) 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 second in the order of precedence, it is the oldest active formation of the Army.
Profile
=== Flag === The flag of the Malaysian Army, introduced since the inception of the Malaysian Army and still in use today, combines elements of the Malaysian Flag and the crest of the Malaysian Army. It serves as a symbol of pride and courage for the Malaysian Army. This flag measures 187 centimetres (74 in) in height and 91.5 centimetres (36.0 in) in width. It is flown from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm daily, following specific protocols and honors.
=== Symbolism === Crown: Represents the loyalty of the Malaysian Army to His Majesty the King of Malaysia and to the Malay State Rulers. Crescent Moon and Star: Symbolize the commitment of majority of Malaysian Army members to Islam, the official religion of the Federation. The words "Allah" and "Muhammad" symbolize God Almighty and the Messenger of Allah. Diamonds: Represent the wealth enjoyed by Malaysians. 16 Rice Flower Garlands: Depict the 16 corps within the Malaysian Army. Keris Bersilang Duku Ilang: This crossed stand of weapons symbolises bravery and the unwavering commitment of Army soldiers to fight to the last drop of blood. The Keris is a symbol of the fighting peoples of Peninsular Malaysia and a symbol associated with the historic Malay warriors of old, the Duku Ilang a symbol linked to warrior tribes of Malaysian Borneo.
Organisation and structure
=== Tactical structure === The Malaysian Army currently has 18 Corps and Regiments. These are grouped into 3 main components — the Combat Elements, the Combat Support Elements and the Support Elements. The Corps and Regiments are currently organised into five divisions. Three of which (the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Divisions) are based on the Malay Peninsula and placed under Western Field Army Headquarters, while the other two (the 1st Division and 5th Division) are based on Malaysian Borneo and placed under Eastern Field Army Headquarters. The 21st Special Service Group (the Army's special forces), 10th Parachute Brigade and the two Army Aviation Regiments are independent formations. The Western Field Army Headquarters, Eastern Field Army Headquarters and two support commands (Army Training and Doctrine Headquarters and Army Logistics Administration Headquarters) are placed under Army Headquarters (Army Command).
Chief of army
The current Chief of Army (Malay: Panglima Tentera Darat — PTD) is General Datuk Azhan Md Othman, who succeeded General Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan since January 1, 2026.
== Rank structure == The Malaysian Army uses a rank structure inherited from the British Army. The Malaysian Army rank structure has 17 levels from Private (Prebet) to General (Jeneral). These ranks are divided into 2 main groups — Officer (Pegawai) and Other Ranks (Lain-Lain Pangkat) which includes the Non-Commissioned Officer (Pegawai Tanpa Tauliah — PTT) ranks.
Officers
Other ranks
Corps and regiments
Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja ('Royal Malay Regiment') Rejimen Renjer Diraja ('Royal Ranger Regiment') Rejimen Sempadan ('Border Regiment') Kor Armor Diraja ('Royal Armoured Corps') Rejimen Artileri Diraja ('Royal Artillery Regiment') Rejimen Semboyan Diraja ('Royal Signals Regiment') Kor Perkhidmatan Am ('General Service Corps') Kor Polis Tentera Diraja ('Royal Military Police Corps') Kor Kesihatan Diraja ('Royal Medical Corps') Kor Risik Diraja ('Royal Intelligence Corps') Kor Perkhidmatan Diraja ('Royal Logistics Corps') Kor Ordnans Diraja ('Royal Ordnance Corps') Rejimen Askar Jurutera Diraja ('Royal Engineer Regiment') Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera Diraja ('Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Corps') Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera ('Religious Corps of the Armed Forces of Malaysia') Rejimen Askar Wataniah ('Territorial Army Regiment') Grup Gerak Khas ('Special Service Group') Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat ('Army Air Corps')
=== Combat elements === Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja The Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja ('Royal Malay Regiment') is the most senior regiment of the Malaysian Army. Its ranks are recruited from amongst the Malay population. The Regiment has 27 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, three Mechanised Infantry Battalions and three Parachute Infantry Battalions. The regiment uses rifle green berets except the three airborne battalions that wear maroon berets. The 19th Bn Royal Malay Regiment (Mech) was involved in the rescue of U.S. 75th Ranger Regiment 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 U.S. 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 (KIA), PFC Mat Aznan Awang while 8 others were wounded in action (WIA). 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 The Rejimen Renjer Diraja ('Royal Ranger Regiment') is a multi-racial unit organised along similar lines to the Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja. There are currently 11 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 (8 Ranger) was the first infantry battalion in the Malaysian Army to undergo conversion into an airborne battalion. The unit is currently assigned to the elite 10th Parachute Brigade. The Malaysian Army's most decorated soldier, WOI (Rtd) Kanang anak Langkau was a Regimental Sergeant Major of 8 Ranger.
Rejimen Sempadan The Rejimen Sempadan ('Border Regiment') 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 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 Razak at Tanah Merah, Kelantan.
Kor Armor Diraja The Kor Armor Diraja ('Royal Armoured Corps') provides the armour capability for the Malaysian Army. Currently, the Corps consists of 5 battalions (sometimes referred to as Regiments), which are equipped with various armoured personnel carriers (AV-8 Gempita, ACV-300 Adnan and K-200 KIFV) 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 elements
Rejimen Artileri Diraja The Rejimen Artileri Diraja ('Royal Artillery Regiment') 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 (MLRS) 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 The Rejimen Semboyan Diraja ('Royal Signals Regiment') is in charge of strategic communication, tactical communications, electronic warfare and early warning systems such as radar.
Kor Polis Tentera Diraja The Kor Polis Tentera Diraja ('Royal Military Police Corps') 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 The Rejimen Askar Jurutera Diraja ('Royal Engineers Regiment') 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 The Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera Diraja ('Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps') is responsible for the maintenance of all vehicles and machinery of the Malaysian Army.
Kor Risik Diraja The Kor Risik Diraja ('Royal Intelligence Corps') specialises in psychological warfare (psyops), 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. There are two Army combat elements attached to the Kor Risik Diraja.
Services support elements
Kor Ordnans Diraja The Kor Ordnans Diraja ('Royal Ordnance Corps') ensures that all military supplies and ordnance are stored, secured and inventoried properly.
Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera The Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera (KAGAT; 'Armed Forces Religious Corps') performs religious (chaplainry) services for Muslim, Christian and, other religions in the Malaysian Armed Forces. It also provides counselling and conducts ritual prayers on the battlefield.
Kor Perkhidmatan Diraja The Kor Perkhidmatan Diraja ('Royal Logistics Corps') is in charge of transporting troops and supplies to the various units of the Malaysian Army.
Kor Kesihatan Diraja The Kor Kesihatan Diraja ('Royal Medical Corps') 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 (Malaysian Medical Teams) to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Western Sahara, Indonesia and Palestine.
Kor Perkhidmatan Am The Kor Perkhidmatan Am ('General Service Corps') handles administration, educational matters, public relations and financial management for the entire armed forces.
Elite forces
21 Grup Gerak Khas The 21 Grup Gerak Khas (21 GGK; '21st Special Service Group') is the Malaysian Army's special forces and commando unit. 21 GGK is one of the two Elite forces in the Malaysian Army. 21 GGK is the operational home of various specialists and the Commando regiments, 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.
10th Parachute Brigade The 10th Parachute Brigade (10 Para Bde; Malay: 10 Briged Payung Terjun — 10 Bgd Para) is an elite airborne unit tasked with being rapidly deployed inside or outside the boundaries of Malaysia. 10 Para is the key element of the Malaysian Rapid Deployment Force (Malay: Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat — PAC) and it is Malaysia primary main offensive force in time of war or emergencies.
Army air corps
Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat The Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat ('Army Air Corps') 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 three squadron, 881 Army Aviation Regiment, 882 Army Aviation Regiment and 883 Army Aviation Regiment. The main Army Air Corps base is located in Kluang, Johor. As 2019, the Air Corps is equipped with 10 AgustaWestland AW109 light helicopters and 14 Sikorsky S61A-4 medium helicopter. The 882 Army Aviation Regiment will be received new Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk to replaced its aeging Sikorsky S61A-4 while the 883 Army Aviation Regiment has received 6 units of MD530G light attack helicopter in 2022.
=== Reserves unit === Rejimen Askar Wataniah The Rejimen Askar Wataniah ('Territorial Army Regiment') 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.
=== Rapid reaction infantry battalion === Batalion Siap Sedia Tentera Darat The Batalion Siap Sedia Tentera Darat (BSSTD; 'Army Rapid Battalion — ARB') is a combat ready battalion of the Malaysian Army. The ARB can be deployed to overseas conflict areas in short notice under order of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN DPKO). The battalion consists of multiple capabilities, including special operations, armour, infantry and Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence (CBRN defence). Currently, the 7th Battalion, Royal Ranger Regiment (Mechanised) (7 RRD (Mek)) is assigned as the main combat element for the ARB. The 7 RRD (Mek) is supported by various corps and regiments, including special ops operators from the Malaysian Army counter-terrorism regiment, the 11th Special Service Regiment.
== 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 5 infantry divisions, 11 infantry brigades, 1 mechanised brigade, 3 border brigades, 1 special forces brigade and 1 airborne brigade composed of:
