9th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Malay Regiment | |
---|---|
Batalion ke-9, Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja (Para) | |
Founded | 1 September 1965 |
Country | Malaysia |
Allegiance | Yang di-Pertuan Agong ('King of Malaysia') |
Branch | Malaysian Army |
Type | Airborne infantry |
Role |
|
Size | 6 companies |
Part of | 10th Parachute Brigade |
Nickname(s) | "Harimau Para" ('Airborne tigers'), "9 RAMD" |
Motto(s) | Tak kenal menyerah ('Does not know to give up') |
Colours | Green and black |
March | Pahlawan sembilan |
Mascot(s) | Tiger |
Anniversaries | 6 September |
Engagements | |
Website | 9melayupara.com |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Lieutenant Colonel Norazlan Abu |
Notable commanders | General Yaacob Mohd Zin, General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin |
The 9th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Malay Regiment ( Malay: Batalion ke-9, Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja (Payung Terjun)), abbreviated 9 RAMD (Para) from its local name, is a battalion-sized airborne infantry unit of the Malaysian Army's Royal Malay Regiment. Since 10 October 1994, 9 RAMD has been a part of the 10th Parachute Brigade.
The current commander of the 9 RAMD (Para) is Lieutenant Colonel Norazlan Abu.
On 1 September 1965, during the Indonesia–Malaysia conflict, a pioneer team was formed in Majidee Camp, Johor Bahru. Lieutenant Colonel Mahmood Sulaiman was appointed as its first commander and was tasked with growing the unit to combat size. The unit's strength was increased on 31 December 1965, and two new companies were formed: Battalion HQ Company and A Company. On 5 March 1966, 120 new soldiers were transferred to 9 RAMD, resulting in the formation of B and C Companies. Later, D Company was added, and the infantry battalion was officially established. [1] [2]
The 9 RAMD was the first infantry battalion from Malaysia's post-independence army to be invited to participate in a military exercise overseas. In 1974, the unit travelled to Australia to participate in Exercise Latin Forum. Four years prior, 9 RAMD was also the first infantry battalion to participate in a Commonwealth Nations military exercise called Exercise Bersatu Padu. [1] [2]
The 9 RAMD was actively involved in the Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–1989), particularly in Sarawak. Between 1972 and 1974, the 9 RAMD was involved in numerous skirmishes and managed to kill 38 communist terrorists and apprehend 16, an extraordinary feat for a non-special forces unit. Because of their achievements in Sarawak, the King of Malaysia had the honour of presenting the battalion with its colours on 22 March 1975. [1] [2]
In the early 1990s, as part of the TD 2000 plan, 9 RAMD and 17th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (17 RAMD) were designated to be upgraded to an airborne unit. A few of its members were sent to Special Warfare Training Centre in Malacca to receive airborne training. In early December 1992, 9 RAMD was transferred from Quetter Camp in Kluang to Terendak Camp in Malacca and assigned to the Malaysian Army's 11th Strategic Division's 10th Strategic Brigade. On 13 December 1992, under the bill KP/TD/P&P/4019/3, the 9th RAMD was officially renamed the 9th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Malay Regiment, and given one year to fully train to achieve operational status as an airborne unit. By 1 January 1995, 70% of the 9 RAMD had received parachute training. [2]
The Malaysian Army's top brass intends to combine all airborne units into a single combat force. The 8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment, 9 RAMD (Para), and 17 RAMD (Para) were merged into a single airborne unit in 1993 as its airborne infantry element. On 10 October 1994, following Exercise Halilintar, then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad officially introduced the unit as the Rapid Deployment Force, and the 10th Strategic Brigade was renamed the 10th Parachute Brigade. The 10th Parachute Brigade is becoming an independent combat force reporting directly to the Chief of the Army. [2]
The 9 RAMD (Para) serves as an airborne infantry unit for the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF). The RDF's airborne infantry is tasked with being able to deploy at any time and to any location via air, land, or sea. [3] They have five primary roles, which are as follows:
Since December 1992, the 9 RAMD (Para) has been stationed at Terendak Camp in Malacca. Under 9 RAMD, there are six paratrooper companies and one welfare organisation. [3]
Name | Type |
---|---|
9 RAMD (Para) Headquarters | Management and administration of the battalion |
Alpha Company | Airborne infantry company |
Bravo Company | Airborne infantry company |
Charlie Company | Airborne infantry company |
Delta Company | Airborne infantry company |
Support Company | Mortar, heavy machine-gun, anti-tank and communications support |
BAKAT 9 RAMD PARA | Support for the battalion's family welfare |
The Tiger Platoon was a commando unit of the 9 Royal Malay Regiment. [4] In 1972, the platoon was established as a long-range reconnaissance patrol for 9 RAMD, and its status was later upgraded to a commando unit at the end of 1972. Tiger Platoon 9 RAMD was active during the Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–1989), particularly in Sarawak, and this platoon was responsible for the majority of terrorists killed by 9 RAMD. Two members of this platoon received Malaysia's second highest valour award, the Star of the Commander of Valour ( Malay: Pingat Gagah Berani – PGB). [5]
This platoon's 31 members are as follows: [4]
Maroon beret
The maroon beret represented the battalion's ability as an airborne unit. The British Army's Parachute Regiment had a strong influence on the Malaysian Army's airborne force establishment. Since 10 October 1994, all RDF-trained members have worn this beret. [7] [8]
Sculpture of a silver horse warrior
The horse warrior, made of pure silver, was presented to the battalion by General Tan Sri Yaacob Mohd Zain, the 10th Chief of Defence Forces, in 1993. General Tan Sri Yaacob was the 9 RAMD's third Commander. The sculpture, which cost RM 46,000, was made in Kuala Lumpur. Its foundation is made of teak. It represents the strength and agility of the 9 RAMD. [9]
No. | Portrait | Commander | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mahmood bin Sulaiman | Lieutenant Colonel1 September 1965 | 1 August 1966 | 334 days | [10] | |
2 | Tahir Ismail | Lieutenant Colonel2 August 1966 | 27 July 1968 | 1 year, 360 days | [10] | |
3 | Yaacob Mohd Zain (born 1935) | Lieutenant Colonel28 July 1968 | 18 August 1970 | 2 years, 21 days | [10] | |
4 | Nik Mahmood Fakarudin Mohd Kamel | Lieutenant Colonel19 August 1970 | 3 May 1972 | 1 year, 258 days | [10] | |
5 | Mohd Zin Daud | Lieutenant Colonel4 May 1972 | 24 December 1972 | 234 days | [10] | |
6 | Izaidin Shamsudeen | Lieutenant Colonel25 December 1972 | 31 December 1974 | 2 years, 6 days | [10] | |
7 | Noor Khan Siraj Khan | Lieutenant Colonel1 January 1975 | 31 December 1975 | 364 days | [10] | |
8 | Abdul Samad Ayob | Lieutenant Colonel1 January 1976 | 31 December 1978 | 2 years, 364 days | [10] | |
9 | Abdullah Hussin | Lieutenant Colonel1 January 1979 | 31 December 1980 | 1 year, 365 days | [10] | |
10 | Mohd Arshad Mohd Raji | Lieutenant Colonel1 January 1981 | 12 July 1982 | 1 year, 192 days | [10] | |
11 | Mazlan Baharudin | Lieutenant Colonel13 July 1982 | 31 May 1985 | 2 years, 322 days | [10] | |
12 | Abd Aziz Hanapi | Lieutenant Colonel1 June 1985 | 15 September 1989 | 4 years, 106 days | [10] | |
13 | Che Ojang Ab Rahman | Lieutenant Colonel16 September 1989 | 14 December 1992 | 3 years, 89 days | [10] | |
14 | Mohd Nawi Ibrahim | Lieutenant Colonel15 December 1992 | 31 July 1993 | 228 days | [10] | |
15 | Zulkifeli Mohd Zin (born 1954) | Lieutenant Colonel1 August 1993 | 4 March 1995 | 1 year, 215 days | [10] | |
16 | Che Hamzah Awang Kechik | Lieutenant Colonel5 March 1995 | 4 March 1996 | 365 days | [10] | |
17 | Johari Mat Shek | Lieutenant Colonel5 March 1996 | 8 April 1998 | 2 years, 34 days | [10] | |
18 | Ismet Nayan Ismail | Lieutenant Colonel9 April 1998 | 6 January 2001 | 2 years, 272 days | [10] | |
19 | Mohd Nazri Abidin | Lieutenant Colonel7 January 2001 | 25 January 2003 | 2 years, 18 days | [10] | |
20 | Azman Shah Omar | Lieutenant Colonel26 January 2003 | 19 November 2004 | 1 year, 298 days | [10] | |
21 | Nadzri Che Lah | Lieutenant Colonel20 November 2004 | 31 January 2007 | 2 years, 72 days | [10] | |
22 | Hamdan Ismail | Lieutenant Colonel1 February 2007 | 15 February 2009 | 2 years, 14 days | [10] | |
23 | Abdul Karim Ahmad | Lieutenant Colonel16 February 2009 | 14 April 2012 | 3 years, 58 days | [10] | |
24 | Mohd Edafi Daud | Lieutenant Colonel15 April 2012 | 27 June 2014 | 2 years, 73 days | [10] | |
25 | Ismail Mohamed | Lieutenant Colonel27 June 2014 | 27 June 2016 | 2 years, 0 days | [10] | |
26 | Md Zaini Osman | Lieutenant Colonel28 June 16 | 26 February 2019 | 2 years, 243 days | [10] | |
27 | Ahmad Fitri Othman | Lieutenant Colonel27 February 2019 | 25 January 2021 | 1 year, 333 days | [11] | |
28 | Norazlan Abu | Lieutenant Colonel26 January 2021 | Incumbent | 3 years, 84 days | [12] |