Royal Ranger Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Royal Ranger Regiment is an infantry
regiment of the Malaysian Army
. Although it is second in seniority to the Royal Malay Regiment
(Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja; RAMD), the RRD can trace its origins back to the mid 19th century and the establishment of The Sarawak Rangers
, the peacekeeping
force in the Sarawak
region. This force was absorbed by the Sarawak Constabulary in 1932, but the name was revived in 1941 as a British Colonial unit; this unit commanded by British Lieutenant Colonel C.M. Lane was captured by the Japanese in 1942.
, groups of Iban
trackers were recruited to help in the defence against the Communist Party of Malaya. These Iban trackers were organised into a regimental formation as the Sarawak Rangers in 1953. Prior to 1963, they were attached as scouts to many British units serving in Malaya. One of the trackers, Awang anak Rawang was awarded the George Cross
on 20 November 1951, during his attachment to the Worcestershire Regiment
.
In 1963, following the formation of Malaysia on 16 September of that year, the unit was transferred from the British Colonial Forces to the new Malaysian Army
and expanded into a multi-battalion, multi-ethnic regiment named Renjer Malaysia. This became the Rejimen Renjer in 1971, before being given the 'Royal' prefix and hence known as the Rejimen Renjer DiRaja (Royal Ranger Regiment) in 1992.
s,
The 1st to 6th, and the 9th are light infantry
battalions.
The 7th Ranger Battalion is presently configured as a mechanised infantry battalion and is equipped with tracked ACV 300
IFVs, some of which are armed with Bushmaster 25 mm guns.
The 8th Ranger Battalion is one of the three airborne infantry
battalions that form the 10 Para Brigade
, the element of the Army's Pasukan Atur Cepat
.
of Malaysia, and Raja
of Perlis
is the Colonel in Chief of the regiment.
The current Chairman of the Corps is Brigadier General Dato' Mohd Zaki bin Hj Mokhtar. Due to his overseas deployment in the US, Brigadier General Dato' Zulkifli bin Mansor was appointed as Acting Chairman of the Corps.
as part of their uniform. Also, unlike other units, the No.3 uniform (office duty) has black buttons and Gun Metal pips instead of the standard green buttons and pips of the Malaysian Army.
as well as the Royal Armoured Corps. In the Royal Engineers Regiment, a private is known Sapper
, while the Royal Artillery Regiments addressed as Gunner
. For the rest of the Malaysian Army, a private rank soldiers is addressed as Private
.
which means "While I Breathe, I Hope." In this light, Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban could mean "While I Breathe, I fight." Dum Spiro Spero was the state motto for the Kingdom of Sarawak
. In the other, according to the Journal of 1st Ranger Regiment, the motto Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban was derived from "Whilst There Is Life, There Is Fight", also noted as Brooke's family motto.
Others attributed the motto to that of Panglima Rentap, the legendary Malaysian Freedom Frighter. Rentap's battle cry was "Agi Idup, Agi Ngelaban!" which means "I will fight (the British Colonialist) as long as I will live". The Royal Ranger Regiment is the only corps of the Malaysian Armed Forces using this motto in the Iban language.
Dayak
community is now part of the regimental drill used to welcome visiting dignitaries. The adoption of this warrior dance as part of the regimental culture is due to the fact that this reincarnated unit of the Sarawak Rangers was once almost exclusively filled in the ranks by Iban soldiers.
Col.(R) Dunstan Nyaring Angking of 1 Renjer was the first native Iban officer to attain the rank of full colonel in the Malaysian army. He served with 1 Renjer during the Indonesian confrontation and was the ensign that received on behalf of his battalion, the battalion's Battle Truncheon. The Battle Truncheon was presented by the late Governor of Sarawak, Tun Abang Haji Openg Bin Abang Sapi'ee on 19thNovember 1966 in Lundu, First Division, Sarawak. In his address to the battalion, he had this to say amongst other things:
Currently, Brigadier General Datuk Stephen Mundaw from Pakit, Sri Aman, Sarawak is the only known highest native Iban officer serving the Malaysian Army as a Brigadier General. On 1 November 2010, he became the first native Iban officer to be appointed as Brigadier General. Apart from that, another known Dayak officer is Lt. Col. Jimbai Bunsu PBK, currently a 2nd I/C of the 1st Bn/511th Regiment TA based in Kuching.
The other well known native Iban officers are Lt. Col.(R) Robert Rizal Abdullah @ Robert Madang PGB PBK from Lachau, Sri Aman and Lt. Col.(R) James Tomlow ak Isa and Lt. Col.(R) Linus Lunsong, who later became first Iban to command 22nd Malaysian Special Forces.
A known Malay officer from Sarawak to have commanded the Ranger regiment as Commanding Officer, was Lt. Col (R) Abang Hamdan Bin Abang Hadari. Another Sarawakian Malay officer, Capt.(R) Ahmad Johan, later became well known businessman and now known as Tan Sri Ahmad Johan.
The First Battalion Malaysian Rangers, was formed on 16 September 1963 at Baird Camp, Ulu Tiram, Johore – the same camp occupied by the Sarawak Rangers. Lt. Col E. Gopsill OBE, DSO, MC of the 7th Gurkha Rifles was appointed the Commanding Officer.
The Sarawak Rangers disbanded on 15 September 1963 and was absorbed – approximately 100 strong – into the new battalion. Amongst them was Lt. James Tomlow ak Isa who was originally granted a Governor's Commission in the Sarawak Rangers was subsequently granted the Regular Commission by the Agong.
In October 1963, the nucleus of the Battalion moved out of Baird Camp to Kandy Lines, Trg Depot BDE of Gurkhas at Sungai Petani to prepare and conduct recruit training and continuity training for the new intakes. The recruits went through about four months of basic individual training followed by another two months continuity training.
Initially, this British Colonial battalion was almost exclusively composed of Sea Dayak (Iban) soldiers[ http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-40Dlk-oA34/SofiAf8EUyI/AAAAAAAABD4/ZyXa7O2jG9c/s1600-h/No.+2+Platoon+Sarawak+Rangers+11+Marcg+1953.JPG ]Sarawak Rangers]and a small number of Malay and Indian officers. On the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963, the Sarawak Rangers was disbanded and absorbed into the Malaysian Armed Forces. The 1st Battalion is the premier battalion and remains the icon of the Ranger Corps. Prior to the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the Sarawak Rangers gained their fearsome reputation during the Malayan Emergency. Concurrently, during the post-colonial reconstruction era, the 1st Battalion fought on extensively against the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), Clandestine Communist Organization (CCO) the military arm of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP ) and its affiliate the Pasukan Rakyat Kalimantan Utara (PARAKU, the armed wing of the North Kalimantan People's Army
) and the Tentera Nasional Indonesia (TNI). Accounts from captured Communist Terrorists (CTs) in the '60s and '70s suggest that other than the (British Royal Marines) commandos, the CPM feared the deployment of the 1st Battalion in the immediate vicinity. The Rangers also saw action at the Malaysian-Thai border
The 1st Battalion remains an active unit of the Malaysian armed forces, although rather inexplicably, the recruitment of Iban stock has been gradually declined significantly over the last 20 years. Consequently, it's racial composition is about the same as other Malaysian infantry battalions.
It is worth noting that in the 1950s and 1960s, the British SAS were taught jungle tracking by Iban soldiers. The Ibans from the jungles of Borneo are particularly suited to jungle warfare, serving as jungle trackers for many Commonwealth battalions. Surviving and living off the land are just daily routines to these jungle soldiers. During the Malayan Emergency, Iban trackers from the previous Malayan Scouts were attached to and served in several SAS units.
This battalion is currently based in Majidee Camp, Johor Bahru, Johor.
8th Rangers gained fame during the communist Insurgency in the 1970s and 1980s. 8th Rangers engaged in several search and destroy missions against Communist Terrorists in Sarawak. From 1977, the battalion was particularly successful against Communist Terrorists in search and destroy missions in the Hulu Perak
, Kinta and Kuala Kangsar
regions in Perak.
Several members of the battalion were awarded the nation's highest gallantry award, the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa
(SP) and the Panglima Gagah Berani
(PGB) medals. Pegawai Waran II Kanang anak Langkau
remains to this day the only recipient of both the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa
and the Panglima Gagah Berani
medals. Sarjan Michael Riman anak Bugat and Sarjan Beliang anak Bali were both awarded the Panglima Gagah Berani
medal.
This battalion is currently based at Camp Terendak, Melaka, also known as 'Home of the Paras' equivalent to US Fort Bragg's, the home of 82nd Airborne Div, Fort Bragg
,North Carolina.
This battalion is currently based in Taiping, Perak.
In 1995,the 10th Rangers was dissolved,alongside the 11th Rangers,due to the restructuring of the Armed Forces by year 2000.However,in 2008,the 10th Rangers was reinstated,and re-stationed at Sarawak.Currently,it was based at Muara Tuang Camp Complex,Kota Samarahan,and its Commanding Officer was Lt.Colonel Jamaluddin Bin Yaacob,and PW 1 Michal anak Tulih as Regimental Sergeant Major.Prior to that,it was based at Ria Camp,Kuching,shortly after the reinstatement of the 10th Rangers.
On 27 August 1970, in a successful ambush of communist terrorists near Tanah Hitam, Klian Intan in Perak
, 5 Communist Terrorists (CTs) including a branch committee member were killed, and several weapons were captured by members of 6 Bn Ranger Regiment. Mejar Ismail bin Salleh, commading officer of Charlie Company and Leftenan Muda David Fu Chee Ming who was the platoon commander of 8 Platoon were awarded the Panglima Gagah Berani
on 2 June 1971.
Based on information gathered by the Special Branch
, that 60 Communist terrorists would be infiltrating Tanah Hitam moving on to Grik, Charlie Company with a complement of 3 officers and 94 other ranks were tasked to lay an ambush along the infiltration route. Charlie Company
was split into 3 groups, with Company
Hq and 9 Platoon
forming the centre blocking force, 7 Platoon
to the right and 8 Platoon
to the left. The groups were given 2 days to prepare their ambush positions and lay booby traps and Claymore
mines.
On 20 August, 1 Section
consisting of 8 personnel heard the rustling of branches and bamboo being snapped by footfalls. 1 section immediately stood to in their bunkers. Renjer Abu bin Mat saw an armed CT on the trail, 35 meters from their bunker, a lead scout of a larger group. Renjer Abu bin Mat and Renjer Abu Samah Hj. Ibrahim who were manning the Section’s support GPMG
, along with Lans Koperal Abdullah bin Nawi held their fire and continued their wait. Moments later, another CT appeared on the trail, and joined by another 2 CTs.
At 3:45 pm, Lans Koperal Abdullah detonated his Claymore mine while the GPMG
crew opened fire, joined by the LMG
manned by Lans Koperal Karim bin Sidek manning the left bunker. At 4:20 pm, the CTs ceased fire, even though movement could still be heard in the trail. 1 Section
opened fire to suppress the CT’s movements. With nightfall, the CTs made an attempt to retrieve their fallen comrades. Mejar Ismail called for close in artillery support on the trail, walking the artillery rounds close to 1 Section
’s position. The CTs withdrew before morning, leaving behind their dead. Searches the following morning revealed 5 dead CTs.
Other accounts of rangers in combat are as follows:
* Operation Ngayau
* Contact with 10th Regiment CPM
* Ambush on the road Gubir / Nong Gajah
* Bagging 5 CT's at the Korbu Forest Reserve in Perak
* Operations Selamat Sawadee 1
* Operation Jelaku, Sadong, Sarawak
* Firefight at Sebatu Road, Bau, Sarawak
* Attack On Enemy Camp
* Assault At Muara Tebas
* An Ambush in Sungei Katibas
* Operation Indera
* Operation Indera IV
* Ngelaban (Fighting in Iban ) Platoon in Combat
* A Firefight At Tanjung Kunyit
* Operation Seladang
* Fighting the TNI
* Firefight at Tanah Hitam
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment of the Malaysian Army
Malaysian Army
The Malaysian Army is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ as do the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy...
. Although it is second in seniority to the Royal Malay Regiment
Royal Malay Regiment
The Royal Malay Regiment is the premier unit of the Malaysian Army's two infantry regiments. At its largest, the Malay Regiment comprised 27 battalions. At present, two battalions are parachute trained and form part of the Malaysian Army Rapid Deployment Force...
(Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja; RAMD), the RRD can trace its origins back to the mid 19th century and the establishment of The Sarawak Rangers
The Sarawak Rangers
The Sarawak Rangers were a para-military force founded in 1862 by the second Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Anthony Johnson Brooke. They evolved from the fortmen which were raised to defend Kuching in 1846...
, the peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
force in the Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
region. This force was absorbed by the Sarawak Constabulary in 1932, but the name was revived in 1941 as a British Colonial unit; this unit commanded by British Lieutenant Colonel C.M. Lane was captured by the Japanese in 1942.
History
In 1948, at the beginning of the Malayan EmergencyMalayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
, groups of Iban
Iban people
The Ibans are a branch of the Dayak peoples of Borneo. In Malaysia, most Ibans are located in Sarawak, a small portion in Sabah and some in west Malaysia. They were formerly known during the colonial period by the British as Sea Dayaks. Ibans were renowned for practising headhunting and...
trackers were recruited to help in the defence against the Communist Party of Malaya. These Iban trackers were organised into a regimental formation as the Sarawak Rangers in 1953. Prior to 1963, they were attached as scouts to many British units serving in Malaya. One of the trackers, Awang anak Rawang was awarded the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
on 20 November 1951, during his attachment to the Worcestershire Regiment
Worcestershire Regiment
The Worcestershire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 29th Regiment of Foot and the 36th Regiment of Foot....
.
In 1963, following the formation of Malaysia on 16 September of that year, the unit was transferred from the British Colonial Forces to the new Malaysian Army
Malaysian Army
The Malaysian Army is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ as do the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy...
and expanded into a multi-battalion, multi-ethnic regiment named Renjer Malaysia. This became the Rejimen Renjer in 1971, before being given the 'Royal' prefix and hence known as the Rejimen Renjer DiRaja (Royal Ranger Regiment) in 1992.
Present
The RRD is organised in the same way as the RAMD and currently consists of nine battalionBattalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s,
The 1st to 6th, and the 9th are light infantry
Light infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
battalions.
The 7th Ranger Battalion is presently configured as a mechanised infantry battalion and is equipped with tracked ACV 300
ACV 300
ACV-300 is the designation of a tracked vehicle family developed by the Turkish defense company FNSS, containing an infantry fighting vehicle and an armoured personnel carrier . The ACV-300 is based on the American Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which is based on the chassis of the M113...
IFVs, some of which are armed with Bushmaster 25 mm guns.
The 8th Ranger Battalion is one of the three airborne infantry
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
battalions that form the 10 Para Brigade
10 Paratrooper Brigade
The 10 Paratrooper Brigade - commonly known as 10th Para - is an elite airborne brigade-sized unit within the Malaysian Army tasked with being rapidly deployed inside or outside the boundaries of Malaysia...
, the element of the Army's Pasukan Atur Cepat
Rapid Deployment Force
A rapid deployment force is a military formation capable of quick deployment of its forces. Such forces typically consist of elite military units and may receive priority in equipment and training to prepare them for their mission....
.
Colonel in Chief
DYMM Tuanku Syed Sirajudin Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, formerly the King or Yang Di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
of Malaysia, and Raja
Raja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
of Perlis
Perlis
Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia. It lies at the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has Satun and Songkhla Provinces of Thailand on its northern border. It is bordered by the state of Kedah to the south...
is the Colonel in Chief of the regiment.
The current Chairman of the Corps is Brigadier General Dato' Mohd Zaki bin Hj Mokhtar. Due to his overseas deployment in the US, Brigadier General Dato' Zulkifli bin Mansor was appointed as Acting Chairman of the Corps.
Hackle
Rejimen Renjer DiRaja is the only regiment or corps in the Malaysian Army that is authorised to wear the black hackleHackle
The hackle is a clipped feather plume that is attached to a military headdress.In the British Army and the armies of some Commonwealth countries the hackle is worn by some infantry regiments, especially those designated as fusilier regiments and those with Scottish and Northern Irish origins. The...
as part of their uniform. Also, unlike other units, the No.3 uniform (office duty) has black buttons and Gun Metal pips instead of the standard green buttons and pips of the Malaysian Army.
A Ranger – A Special Malaysian Soldier
Unlike other units of the Malaysian Army, a private rank in the Rangers battalion is addressed as 'Ranger.' In the Rejimen Gerak Khas, a commando formation, a private is addressed as TrooperTrooper (rank)
Trooper from the French "troupier" is the equivalent rank to private in a regiment with a cavalry tradition in the British Army and many other Commonwealth armies, including those of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. Today, most cavalry units operate in the armoured role, equipped...
as well as the Royal Armoured Corps. In the Royal Engineers Regiment, a private is known Sapper
Sapper
A sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
, while the Royal Artillery Regiments addressed as Gunner
Gunner (rank)
Gunner is a rank equivalent to Private in the British Army Royal Artillery and the artillery corps of other Commonwealth armies. The next highest rank is usually Lance-Bombardier, although in the Royal Canadian Artillery it is Bombardier....
. For the rest of the Malaysian Army, a private rank soldiers is addressed as Private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
.
Motto
The motto of the Ranger Regiment is Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban. A direct translation, word for word from Iban to English is "Still Alive, Still Fight." In spirit the motto means "Fight to the Death." It is conjectured that the motto was derived from Brooke family's Latin motto, Dum Spiro SperoDum spiro spero
Dum spiro spero means "While I breathe, I hope" in Latin and is generally attributed to Cicero.It is a motto of various places and families.-States and Towns:*The notable origin of the motto is St Andrews, Fife, Scotland...
which means "While I Breathe, I Hope." In this light, Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban could mean "While I Breathe, I fight." Dum Spiro Spero was the state motto for the Kingdom of Sarawak
Kingdom of Sarawak
The Kingdom of Sarawak was a state in Borneo established by Sir James Brooke in 1842 by receiving independent kingdom status from the Sultanate of Brunei as a reward for helping fight piracy and insurgency...
. In the other, according to the Journal of 1st Ranger Regiment, the motto Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban was derived from "Whilst There Is Life, There Is Fight", also noted as Brooke's family motto.
Others attributed the motto to that of Panglima Rentap, the legendary Malaysian Freedom Frighter. Rentap's battle cry was "Agi Idup, Agi Ngelaban!" which means "I will fight (the British Colonialist) as long as I will live". The Royal Ranger Regiment is the only corps of the Malaysian Armed Forces using this motto in the Iban language.
Sarawak Dayak, Pribumi Influence & Achievement
As an infantry regiment whose recruits are drawn from every race and pribumi (native) group of Malaysia, Rejimen Renjer Malaysia is rich with cultural heritage. The "Ngajat", the Iban Warrior Dance of the SarawakSarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
Dayak
Dayak people
The Dayak or Dyak are the native people of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups, located principally in the interior of Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily...
community is now part of the regimental drill used to welcome visiting dignitaries. The adoption of this warrior dance as part of the regimental culture is due to the fact that this reincarnated unit of the Sarawak Rangers was once almost exclusively filled in the ranks by Iban soldiers.
Col.(R) Dunstan Nyaring Angking of 1 Renjer was the first native Iban officer to attain the rank of full colonel in the Malaysian army. He served with 1 Renjer during the Indonesian confrontation and was the ensign that received on behalf of his battalion, the battalion's Battle Truncheon. The Battle Truncheon was presented by the late Governor of Sarawak, Tun Abang Haji Openg Bin Abang Sapi'ee on 19thNovember 1966 in Lundu, First Division, Sarawak. In his address to the battalion, he had this to say amongst other things:
"This TRUNCHEON which is presented to you is an emblem from the State Government. It is also a mark of appreciation of the Government and the people of Sarawak for your services to the country and for the worthy upholding of the best tradition of our people. This a great honour earned through your conduct, bearing and bravery in battle every-where you are called upon to serve".
Currently, Brigadier General Datuk Stephen Mundaw from Pakit, Sri Aman, Sarawak is the only known highest native Iban officer serving the Malaysian Army as a Brigadier General. On 1 November 2010, he became the first native Iban officer to be appointed as Brigadier General. Apart from that, another known Dayak officer is Lt. Col. Jimbai Bunsu PBK, currently a 2nd I/C of the 1st Bn/511th Regiment TA based in Kuching.
The other well known native Iban officers are Lt. Col.(R) Robert Rizal Abdullah @ Robert Madang PGB PBK from Lachau, Sri Aman and Lt. Col.(R) James Tomlow ak Isa and Lt. Col.(R) Linus Lunsong, who later became first Iban to command 22nd Malaysian Special Forces.
A known Malay officer from Sarawak to have commanded the Ranger regiment as Commanding Officer, was Lt. Col (R) Abang Hamdan Bin Abang Hadari. Another Sarawakian Malay officer, Capt.(R) Ahmad Johan, later became well known businessman and now known as Tan Sri Ahmad Johan.
1st Rangers
Following the terms of the Defence Agreement, Britain had agreed to raise, train and maintain one infantry Battalion, each from Sabah and Sarawak. HQ Malaya Command Ranger Group was formed and headed by Colonel I.G. Wellstead to coordinate and implement this clause of the agreement.The First Battalion Malaysian Rangers, was formed on 16 September 1963 at Baird Camp, Ulu Tiram, Johore – the same camp occupied by the Sarawak Rangers. Lt. Col E. Gopsill OBE, DSO, MC of the 7th Gurkha Rifles was appointed the Commanding Officer.
The Sarawak Rangers disbanded on 15 September 1963 and was absorbed – approximately 100 strong – into the new battalion. Amongst them was Lt. James Tomlow ak Isa who was originally granted a Governor's Commission in the Sarawak Rangers was subsequently granted the Regular Commission by the Agong.
In October 1963, the nucleus of the Battalion moved out of Baird Camp to Kandy Lines, Trg Depot BDE of Gurkhas at Sungai Petani to prepare and conduct recruit training and continuity training for the new intakes. The recruits went through about four months of basic individual training followed by another two months continuity training.
Initially, this British Colonial battalion was almost exclusively composed of Sea Dayak (Iban) soldiers[ http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-40Dlk-oA34/SofiAf8EUyI/AAAAAAAABD4/ZyXa7O2jG9c/s1600-h/No.+2+Platoon+Sarawak+Rangers+11+Marcg+1953.JPG ]Sarawak Rangers]and a small number of Malay and Indian officers. On the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963, the Sarawak Rangers was disbanded and absorbed into the Malaysian Armed Forces. The 1st Battalion is the premier battalion and remains the icon of the Ranger Corps. Prior to the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the Sarawak Rangers gained their fearsome reputation during the Malayan Emergency. Concurrently, during the post-colonial reconstruction era, the 1st Battalion fought on extensively against the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), Clandestine Communist Organization (CCO) the military arm of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP ) and its affiliate the Pasukan Rakyat Kalimantan Utara (PARAKU, the armed wing of the North Kalimantan People's Army
North Kalimantan Communist Party
North Kalimantan Communist Party was a communist political party based in the Malaysian province of Sarawak in northern Borneo. It was founded on September 19, 1971. Before that, the group had been operating under the name Sarawak Communist Organization. The chairman of the NKCP was Wen Min Chyuan...
) and the Tentera Nasional Indonesia (TNI). Accounts from captured Communist Terrorists (CTs) in the '60s and '70s suggest that other than the (British Royal Marines) commandos, the CPM feared the deployment of the 1st Battalion in the immediate vicinity. The Rangers also saw action at the Malaysian-Thai border
The 1st Battalion remains an active unit of the Malaysian armed forces, although rather inexplicably, the recruitment of Iban stock has been gradually declined significantly over the last 20 years. Consequently, it's racial composition is about the same as other Malaysian infantry battalions.
It is worth noting that in the 1950s and 1960s, the British SAS were taught jungle tracking by Iban soldiers. The Ibans from the jungles of Borneo are particularly suited to jungle warfare, serving as jungle trackers for many Commonwealth battalions. Surviving and living off the land are just daily routines to these jungle soldiers. During the Malayan Emergency, Iban trackers from the previous Malayan Scouts were attached to and served in several SAS units.
This battalion is currently based in Majidee Camp, Johor Bahru, Johor.
2nd Rangers
The motto of this battalion is in Kadazan language: 'Osiou Oh Kamanang.', which means 'Who dares, Wins'. This battalion is currently based in Syed Putra Camp, Ipoh, Perak. Syed Putra Camp was previously known as Sulva Lines Camp, and has been always regarded as 'Home of the Rangers'.3rd Rangers
The motto of this Battalion is 'Biar Putih Tulang'. This Battalion also known as 'The Red Hackles Warrior'. The 3rd Rangers was raised at the Suvla Line Camp, Ipoh, Perak on 1 Jul 1965 with the combination of the personnel from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak (3 different area/region). This battalion is currently stationed at the Oya Camp, Sibu, Sarawak. 928133 Staff Sergeant Muit bin Ahmad, once a member of this battalion, was awarded the 'Pingat Gagah Berani” for successful actions against communist guerrillas. Lt. Col.(Rtd) Robert Rizal Abdullah won his PGB when he served in this battalion. The special event of the battalion is war dance, Battalion dagger/bayonet and companies pennants which is visualize the spirit of Ranger Corps in the unique way.4th Rangers
This battalion is currently based in Oran Camp, Kangar, Perlis. This battalion received its Regimental Colours on 25 October 1980. Captain Mohana Chandran a/l Velayuthan (200402), an officer of this Regiment was KIA during search-and-destroy operation in the Kinta Forest Reserve in Perak, Malaysia. He was posthumously awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP).6th Rangers
This battalion is currently based at Wardieburn Camp, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. 4 division.7th Rangers ( Mechanized)
7th Renjer was formed on 10 May 1970, at Quetta Camp in Kluang, Johor with an initial batch of 202 recruits formed into 2 rifle companies. The compilement was completed with the transfer of rifle companies from each of 8th Malay, 2nd Renjer, 3rd Renjer and 4th Renjer regiments. With the transfer of these companies, 7th Renjer achieved the full regimental strength. It is the only regiment converted into 'Mechanised Battalion'. This Regiment was badly bloodied in a communist guerrilla ambush on 26 March 1972 along the Biawak / Lundu road, Sarawak. In a follow-up operation they avenged their fallen comrades and extracted heavy retributions from the communist guerrillas responsible for the ambush. This battalion is currently based at Batu Lima Camp, Mentakab, Pahang. This battalion has successfully engaged the communist guerillas in several search and operations.8th Rangers (Para)
8th Rangers was formed on 1 March 1973, 3 years after the formation of 7th Rangers. 8th Rangers was raised as the first parachute infantry battalion in the Malaysian Army, and achieved operational status on 1 July 1990 as a component of the elite 10 Paratroop Brigade (Malaysia).8th Rangers gained fame during the communist Insurgency in the 1970s and 1980s. 8th Rangers engaged in several search and destroy missions against Communist Terrorists in Sarawak. From 1977, the battalion was particularly successful against Communist Terrorists in search and destroy missions in the Hulu Perak
Hulu Perak
Hulu Perak is one of nine administrative districts located in the north-east corner of Perak in Malaysia. To the east of the district is the state of Kelantan,to the south is the district of Kuala Kangsar while to the south-west is the district of Larut, Matang dan Selama.Hulu Perak also share a...
, Kinta and Kuala Kangsar
Kuala Kangsar
Kuala Kangsar is the royal town of Perak, Malaysia, located at the downstream of Kangsar River, where it flows into the Perak River. It is the main town in the administrative district of Kuala Kangsar.-History:...
regions in Perak.
Several members of the battalion were awarded the nation's highest gallantry award, the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa
Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa
The Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa is the highest federal award which can be presented in Malaysia. It was created on 29 July 1960 and was gazetted on 11 August 1969....
(SP) and the Panglima Gagah Berani
Panglima Gagah Berani
The Panglima Gagah Berani is a medal given by the government of Malaysia. The name translates to "General of Bravery and Valor". It can be conferred posthumously. The award was created on 29 July 1960...
(PGB) medals. Pegawai Waran II Kanang anak Langkau
Kanang anak Langkau
PW 1 Temenggong Datuk Kanang anak Langkau, SP,PGB,P.G.B.K. is a famous Malaysian hero and soldier from the Iban Dayak community in Sarawak. He was in the Royal Ranger Regiment and Regimental Sergeant Major of 8 Renjer of the Malaysian Army...
remains to this day the only recipient of both the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa
Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa
The Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa is the highest federal award which can be presented in Malaysia. It was created on 29 July 1960 and was gazetted on 11 August 1969....
and the Panglima Gagah Berani
Panglima Gagah Berani
The Panglima Gagah Berani is a medal given by the government of Malaysia. The name translates to "General of Bravery and Valor". It can be conferred posthumously. The award was created on 29 July 1960...
medals. Sarjan Michael Riman anak Bugat and Sarjan Beliang anak Bali were both awarded the Panglima Gagah Berani
Panglima Gagah Berani
The Panglima Gagah Berani is a medal given by the government of Malaysia. The name translates to "General of Bravery and Valor". It can be conferred posthumously. The award was created on 29 July 1960...
medal.
This battalion is currently based at Camp Terendak, Melaka, also known as 'Home of the Paras' equivalent to US Fort Bragg's, the home of 82nd Airborne Div, Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
,North Carolina.
9th Rangers
The 9th Battalion of the Ranger Regiment, originated from the 14th Malaysian Territorial Army Battalion, which was formed on 1 April 1971 in Tawau, Sabah. The members of this battalion were locals who were members of the Local Defence Force. The unit was raised at the request of the Sabah State Government who insisted that the unit must be exclusively Sabahans. The Malaysian Army gladly complied with this opportunity by converting the 14th Territorial Battalion into a regular unit in the form of 9th Rangers on 1 March 1979, at the Batu Uban Camp in Penang. The motto of this new Ranger battalion is “Sian Bani Manang”, which in the Bajau language, meant “Who Dares Wins".This battalion is currently based in Taiping, Perak.
10th Rangers
The 10th Battalion was officially formed on New Year's Day 1980,however the battalion nucleus was only formed on 1 April 1980 at Wade Wing,KEMENTAH (Malay for MINDEF;Ministry of Defense).Upon the formation,it was based twice at Sarawak and once at Peninsula,and their bases are:- Camp Tasik Emas,Bau (April 1980 – October 1991)
- Syed Putra Camp,Ipoh (Formerly known Sulva Lines Camp;January 1988 – October 1991)
- Camp Oya,Sibu (November 1991 – July 1995)
In 1995,the 10th Rangers was dissolved,alongside the 11th Rangers,due to the restructuring of the Armed Forces by year 2000.However,in 2008,the 10th Rangers was reinstated,and re-stationed at Sarawak.Currently,it was based at Muara Tuang Camp Complex,Kota Samarahan,and its Commanding Officer was Lt.Colonel Jamaluddin Bin Yaacob,and PW 1 Michal anak Tulih as Regimental Sergeant Major.Prior to that,it was based at Ria Camp,Kuching,shortly after the reinstatement of the 10th Rangers.
Rangers in Combat
6th Rangers-Ambush at Klian IntanOn 27 August 1970, in a successful ambush of communist terrorists near Tanah Hitam, Klian Intan in Perak
Perak
Perak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
, 5 Communist Terrorists (CTs) including a branch committee member were killed, and several weapons were captured by members of 6 Bn Ranger Regiment. Mejar Ismail bin Salleh, commading officer of Charlie Company and Leftenan Muda David Fu Chee Ming who was the platoon commander of 8 Platoon were awarded the Panglima Gagah Berani
Panglima Gagah Berani
The Panglima Gagah Berani is a medal given by the government of Malaysia. The name translates to "General of Bravery and Valor". It can be conferred posthumously. The award was created on 29 July 1960...
on 2 June 1971.
Based on information gathered by the Special Branch
Malaysian Special Branch
The Special Branch or SB is an intelligence agency attached to the Royal Malaysian Police. The SB is empowered to acquire and develop intelligence on internal and external threats to the nation, subversive activities, extremist activities and activities of sabotage and spying...
, that 60 Communist terrorists would be infiltrating Tanah Hitam moving on to Grik, Charlie Company with a complement of 3 officers and 94 other ranks were tasked to lay an ambush along the infiltration route. Charlie Company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
was split into 3 groups, with Company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
Hq and 9 Platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
forming the centre blocking force, 7 Platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
to the right and 8 Platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
to the left. The groups were given 2 days to prepare their ambush positions and lay booby traps and Claymore
M18A1 Claymore Antipersonnel Mine
The M18A1 Claymore is a directional anti-personnel mine used by the U.S. military. It was named after the large Scottish sword by its inventor, Norman A. MacLeod...
mines.
On 20 August, 1 Section
Section (military unit)
A section is a small military unit in some armies. In many armies, it is a squad of seven to twelve soldiers. However in France and armies based on the French model, it is the sub-division of a company .-Australian Army:...
consisting of 8 personnel heard the rustling of branches and bamboo being snapped by footfalls. 1 section immediately stood to in their bunkers. Renjer Abu bin Mat saw an armed CT on the trail, 35 meters from their bunker, a lead scout of a larger group. Renjer Abu bin Mat and Renjer Abu Samah Hj. Ibrahim who were manning the Section’s support GPMG
General purpose machine gun
A general-purpose machine gun is a multi-purpose weapon: it is a machine gun firing a full-power rifle cartridge and which can be used in a variety of roles, from a bipod- or tripod-mounted infantry support weapon to a helicopter door gun or a vehicle-mounted support weapon...
, along with Lans Koperal Abdullah bin Nawi held their fire and continued their wait. Moments later, another CT appeared on the trail, and joined by another 2 CTs.
At 3:45 pm, Lans Koperal Abdullah detonated his Claymore mine while the GPMG
General purpose machine gun
A general-purpose machine gun is a multi-purpose weapon: it is a machine gun firing a full-power rifle cartridge and which can be used in a variety of roles, from a bipod- or tripod-mounted infantry support weapon to a helicopter door gun or a vehicle-mounted support weapon...
crew opened fire, joined by the LMG
Light machine gun
A light machine gun is a machine gun designed to be employed by an individual soldier, with or without an assistant, as an infantry support weapon. Light machine guns are often used as squad automatic weapons.-Characteristics:...
manned by Lans Koperal Karim bin Sidek manning the left bunker. At 4:20 pm, the CTs ceased fire, even though movement could still be heard in the trail. 1 Section
Section (military unit)
A section is a small military unit in some armies. In many armies, it is a squad of seven to twelve soldiers. However in France and armies based on the French model, it is the sub-division of a company .-Australian Army:...
opened fire to suppress the CT’s movements. With nightfall, the CTs made an attempt to retrieve their fallen comrades. Mejar Ismail called for close in artillery support on the trail, walking the artillery rounds close to 1 Section
Section (military unit)
A section is a small military unit in some armies. In many armies, it is a squad of seven to twelve soldiers. However in France and armies based on the French model, it is the sub-division of a company .-Australian Army:...
’s position. The CTs withdrew before morning, leaving behind their dead. Searches the following morning revealed 5 dead CTs.
Other accounts of rangers in combat are as follows:
* Operation Ngayau
* Contact with 10th Regiment CPM
* Ambush on the road Gubir / Nong Gajah
* Bagging 5 CT's at the Korbu Forest Reserve in Perak
* Operations Selamat Sawadee 1
* Operation Jelaku, Sadong, Sarawak
* Firefight at Sebatu Road, Bau, Sarawak
* Attack On Enemy Camp
* Assault At Muara Tebas
* An Ambush in Sungei Katibas
* Operation Indera
* Operation Indera IV
* Ngelaban (Fighting in Iban ) Platoon in Combat
* A Firefight At Tanjung Kunyit
* Operation Seladang
* Fighting the TNI
* Firefight at Tanah Hitam
External links
- Royal Rangers Regiment Official Website
- 8 RANGER AIRBORNE webpage maintained by DR CHEN WEI SENG
- 7 RANGER Website
- Ranger Album
- Ranger UCIS Album
- Ranger page maintain by Maj Mike