Wednesday, March 2, 2011

THE MALAYSIAN ARMY CELEBRATES ITS 78TH ANNIVERSARY

Yesterday, March 1st 2011, the Malaysian Army celebrates its 78th anniversary with an all arms parade held at Sg. Besi Camp. The parade square that had seen many Army Day parades has been given a new face lift, with a large covered grandstand that can seat around a thousand spectators, if not more. To all army cadets that were trained at the Federation Military College Sg. Besi, the roundabout at the entrance of the parade square was the landmark for cadets to do a turnabout during their evening run back to the college.

I remembered too that it was at the same roundabout where I took chase of a car driven by civilian contractor who was seen speeding along the stretch of road that leads to the military college. I caught the driver and ordered him out of the camp. The roundabout also reminds me of some ghostly incidents that had affected some soldiers on their midnight rounds.

I was stuck by the speech made by the Chief of Army (COA), Gen Zulkifi Mohd Zain at the Army Day Anniversary Parade when he said, “Although I am a soldier, this does not mean that I do not bother about politics……but I am not involved in politics. I keep abreast with political developments top keep myself well informed”.

That was the most welcomed speech ever to have come out from the COA. I welcome the speech because that puts the army in its correct perspective and to quell any misconception that people has of the army that it is a tool or a ‘poodle’ of politicians. It is also a reminder to soldiers and politicians alike that the army and the armed forces as a whole is apolitical organization, free of the abuses of politics.

There have been a number of cases in the past where politicians have attempted to take advantage of the army to spike their popularity, especially nearing an election. We observe such a thing happened during the by-election at Bagan Pinang, Port Dickson of which I was not too pleased about, and had expressed it my writings.

As soldiers, they are certain of their responsibilities, and they must be seen to play a non partisan role in politics, nor are soldiers to be exploited by politicians, consciously or otherwise. As rightly said by the COA, soldiers also have a responsibility towards society and this role must not be seen to have anything to do to ‘curry flavour’ the government. Soldiers have participated in a number of ‘hearts and minds’ activities notably in the remote and inaccessible areas and such activities should continue as soldier’s are a link between the government and those living in the remote areas.

Finally, I wish to congratulate the Army and in particular its leadership on the army’s 78th Anniversary.

CRUSADE AGSAINST CORRUPTION

10 comments:

EAGLE said...

Dato',
COA should have kept it to himself and his generals. That it is his responsibility to protect the nation obviously the national interest and to protect the people!
For saying that words, strategically he doesn't know himself neither the enemy!
Good luck Chief of Army! hopefully you can deliver and not cakap tak serupa bikin!

Major D Swami (Retired) said...

We are actually older than 78 years. The Rangers are more than a CENTURY OLD (136 years) !!!!! Whereas the Royal Malay Regiment is only 75 years old.

1872 Sarawak Rangers

1932 Absorbed into Sarawak Constabulary

1941 Sarawak Rangers reformed as separate military unit

1942 Captured by Japanese and disbanded

1948 Iban trackers from Sarawak first employed by British in Malayan Emergency

1953 Sarawak Rangers re-formed as company from Iban trackers who had been serving with Iban Trackers

1960 Special Tracker Team

1963 Renjer Malaysia (Rangers Malaysia). Transferred from Sarawak Colony to Malaysian Army, and expanded into multi-battalion, multi-ethnic regiment

1965 The Malaysia Rangers

1971 Rejimen Renjer (The Ranger Regiment)

1992 Rejimen Renjer DiRaja (The Royal Ranger Regiment)

Major D Swami (Retired) said...

The Sarawak Rangers were a para-military force founded in 1872 by the second Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Anthony Johnson Brooke. They were highly skilled in jungle warfare and general policing duties, being equipped with various western rifles, cannons and native weaponry.

Aside from protecting Sarawak's borders, they were used to fight any rebels and were engaged in a number of campaigns during their history. The Sarawak Rangers were disbanded for a few years in the 1930's, only to be reformed and mobilised for the Second World War in which they attempted to defend Sarawak, they are more than 136 years old! Whereas the Royal Malay Regiment is only 75 years old.

1872 Sarawak Rangers

1932 Absorbed into Sarawak Constabulary

1941 Sarawak Rangers reformed as separate military unit

1942 Captured by Japanese and disbanded

1948 Iban trackers from Sarawak first employed by British in Malayan Emergency

1953 Sarawak Rangers re-formed as company from Iban trackers who had been serving with Iban Trackers

1960 Special Tracker Team

1963 Renjer Malaysia (Rangers Malaysia). Transferred from Sarawak Colony to Malaysian Army, and expanded into multi-battalion, multi-ethnic regiment

1965 The Malaysia Rangers

1971 Rejimen Renjer (The Ranger Regiment)

1992 Rejimen Renjer DiRaja (The Royal Ranger Regiment) Seventh Rangers

Mohd Arshad Raji said...

Dear Swami,

Thanks for the historical info. Not many knows the info that you have related.

Kamal Sanusi said...

Gempur, Wira!
Gempur, Wira!!
Gempur, Wira!!!

Why the COA has to say it? Maybe he knows and realize that his leadership is being questionable especially after Bagan Pinang buy-election.

pendita said...

Mejor D Swami,

What about Force 136!, i think it worth to know.....

bob villa said...

Dont for get JMF,Orang Johor pun nak Tumpang semangkok. Unit formed 1885.

Unknown said...

Alahai askar Jawi pun nak umpang semangkuk. Memang betul mereka ditubuhkan ketika kita masih mecium punggung British, tapi adakah mereka ni askar dalam ertikata sebenar. Mana "battle colours" mereka?
Yang penting apakah "raison detre' mereka sekarang ni kalau tak semata-mata jadi professional "pak pacak?
Lagi satu, apa yg special sangat dengan Johor sampai perlu mempunyai "Private Army"?

komando said...

WE CAN BE OF ANY AGE, the question is are we prepared?
We have seen the recent events world wide, from wars, turmoils and natural disasters!

Is this country ready, are we ready as the force that will make the difference!

The civiliians will only look up to the Military in times of disaster, turmoil and hardships!

CAN we do the job...look at Japan which is paralysed completely, so to speak!

Please folks we have important things to DO as a professional soldier, rather than JUST ATTENDING PARADES, ORGANIZING THIS & THAT, will little or no semblance of preparing ourselves for WAR in peacetime soldiering.

Is the leadership tested based on trivial admin matters?

Or are we to be tested with real 'TEST EXERCISES' - to evaluate capabilities and determine readiness, effectiveness,competence and
professionalism.

We have forgotten the very basic principles of a MILITARY organization!

In peace the soldier is to train for WAR!

komando said...

Age does not matter substance is most important!