9th Battalion (Parachute),
Royal Malay Regiment
Batalion ke-9, Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja (Para)
Founded1 September 1965 (1965-09-01)
Country Malaysia
AllegianceYang di-Pertuan Agong ('King of Malaysia')
Branch Malaysian Army
TypeAirborne infantry
Role
Size6 companies
Part of10th 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
MarchPahlawan sembilan
Mascot(s)Tiger
Anniversaries6 September
Engagements
Website9melayupara.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.

History

Formed as an infantry unit

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]

Reconstruct for an airborne role

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]

Reassemble as the Rapid Deployment Force

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]

Role and responsibilities

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:

  1. Operate conventionally, either independently or as part of a joint force, in response to threats that occur within or outside of Malaysia.
  2. Defending and rescuing Malaysian citizens and property located abroad.
  3. Assisting law enforcement with any threats that occur within Malaysia.
  4. Fight the insurgency.
  5. Assisting friendly countries in the event of a natural disaster, defending their citizens, or serving as a peacekeeper.

Formations

Current formation

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]

Current Formation of 9 RAMD (Para)
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

Disbanded units

Tiger Platoon, 9 RAMD

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]

  1. Captain (Quartermaster) Shamsudin Ghows (400788)
  2. Captain Mohd Yasin Hj Tahir (410032)
  3. Second Lieutenant Zainal Seman (411031)
  4. Second Lieutenant Ibrahim Hj Sudin (410778)
  5. 8165 Warrant Officer Class II Jantan Nyamat, PGB
  6. 10597 Sergeant Mohd Yusof Mohd Yunus
  7. 11590 Corporal Abd Wahab Abd Latif
  8. 16767 Corporal Zainal Abidin Panjang Salleh
  9. 10157 Corporal Hadi Ghazali
  10. 17300 Corporal Kamaruddin Atan
  11. 9592 Corporal Safar Ibrahim, PGB
  12. 11585 Corporal Othman Leman
  13. 928844 Corporal Ibrahim Wan Chik
  14. 928824 Lance Corporal Abu Bakar Ahmad
  15. 17816 Lance Corporal Mohd Yusof Nazir
  16. 16896 Private Mohamad Abu Bakar
  17. 17591 Private Dalip Juri
  18. 928782 Private Ibrahim Harun
  19. 19085 Private Abd Rahman Mohamad
  20. 930827 Private Sharif Harun
  21. 23493 Private Mohd Ali Abd Rahman
  22. 26068 Private Minhad Abd Rahman
  23. 23291 Private Mohamad Abd Rahman
  24. 19297 Private Wan Yaakob Wan Ibrahim
  25. 23326 Private Othman Sulaiman
  26. 19866 Private Halim Sulaiman
  27. 19072 Private Johan Baba
  28. 25602 Private Azamat Sudin
  29. 28616 Private Mohamad Sulung
  30. 19961 Private Abd Rasap Siang
  31. 19301 Private Che Daud Che Soh

Traditions and customs

Colours

  • Green – Comradery and trust are represented by this colour.[6]
  • Black – Represents sheer tenacity and courage.[6]

Uniforms

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]

Ceremonial object

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]

List of commanders

No. Portrait CommanderTook officeLeft officeTime in officeRef.
1
Mahmood bin Sulaiman
MahmoodLieutenant Colonel
Mahmood bin Sulaiman		1 September 19651 August 1966334 days[10]
2
Tahir Ismail
TahirLieutenant Colonel
Tahir Ismail		2 August 196627 July 19681 year, 360 days[10]
3
Yaacob Mohd Zain
YaacobLieutenant Colonel
Yaacob Mohd Zain
(born 1935)		28 July 196818 August 19702 years, 21 days[10]
4
Nik Mahmood Fakarudin Mohd Kamel
MahmoodLieutenant Colonel
Nik Mahmood Fakarudin Mohd Kamel		19 August 19703 May 19721 year, 258 days[10]
5
Mohd Zin Daud
ZinLieutenant Colonel
Mohd Zin Daud		4 May 197224 December 1972234 days[10]
6
Izaidin Shamsudeen
IzaidinLieutenant Colonel
Izaidin Shamsudeen		25 December 197231 December 19742 years, 6 days[10]
7
Noor Khan Siraj Khan
NoorLieutenant Colonel
Noor Khan Siraj Khan		1 January 197531 December 1975364 days[10]
8
Abdul Samad Ayob
AbdulLieutenant Colonel
Abdul Samad Ayob		1 January 197631 December 19782 years, 364 days[10]
9
Abdullah Hussin
AbdullahLieutenant Colonel
Abdullah Hussin		1 January 197931 December 19801 year, 365 days[10]
10
Mohd Arshad Mohd Raji
ArshadLieutenant Colonel
Mohd Arshad Mohd Raji		1 January 198112 July 19821 year, 192 days[10]
11
Mazlan Baharudin
MazlanLieutenant Colonel
Mazlan Baharudin		13 July 198231 May 19852 years, 322 days[10]
12
Abd Aziz Hanapi
AzizLieutenant Colonel
Abd Aziz Hanapi		1 June 198515 September 19894 years, 106 days[10]
13
Che Ojang Ab Rahman
OjangLieutenant Colonel
Che Ojang Ab Rahman		16 September 198914 December 19923 years, 89 days[10]
14
Mohd Nawi Ibrahim
NawiLieutenant Colonel
Mohd Nawi Ibrahim		15 December 199231 July 1993228 days[10]
15
Zulkifeli Mohd Zin
ZulkifeliLieutenant Colonel
Zulkifeli Mohd Zin
(born 1954)		1 August 19934 March 19951 year, 215 days[10]
16
Che Hamzah Awang Kechik
HamzahLieutenant Colonel
Che Hamzah Awang Kechik		5 March 19954 March 1996365 days[10]
17
Johari Mat Shek
JohariLieutenant Colonel
Johari Mat Shek		5 March 19968 April 19982 years, 34 days[10]
18
Ismet Nayan Ismail
IsmetLieutenant Colonel
Ismet Nayan Ismail		9 April 19986 January 20012 years, 272 days[10]
19
Mohd Nazri Abidin
NazriLieutenant Colonel
Mohd Nazri Abidin		7 January 200125 January 20032 years, 18 days[10]
20
Azman Shah Omar
AzmanLieutenant Colonel
Azman Shah Omar		26 January 200319 November 20041 year, 298 days[10]
21
Nadzri Che Lah
NadzriLieutenant Colonel
Nadzri Che Lah		20 November 200431 January 20072 years, 72 days[10]
22
Hamdan Ismail
HamdanLieutenant Colonel
Hamdan Ismail		1 February 200715 February 20092 years, 14 days[10]
23
Abdul Karim Ahmad
KarimLieutenant Colonel
Abdul Karim Ahmad		16 February 200914 April 20123 years, 58 days[10]
24
Mohd Edafi Daud
EdafiLieutenant Colonel
Mohd Edafi Daud		15 April 201227 June 20142 years, 73 days[10]
25
Ismail Mohamed
IsmailLieutenant Colonel
Ismail Mohamed		27 June 201427 June 20162 years, 0 days[10]
26
Md Zaini Osman
ZainiLieutenant Colonel
Md Zaini Osman		28 June 1626 February 20192 years, 243 days[10]
27
Ahmad Fitri Othman
FitriLieutenant Colonel
Ahmad Fitri Othman		27 February 201925 January 20211 year, 333 days[11]
28
Norazlan Abu
NorazlanLieutenant Colonel
Norazlan Abu		26 January 2021Incumbent2 years, 348 days[12]

Notable members

  • Hayazi Abdul Aziz - Warrant Officer Class I Hayazi Abdul Aziz is the current Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Regimental Sergeant Major, the highest position for other ranks in the MAF. His first unit after completing boot camp was 9 RAMD (Para), where he held various positions, such as company sergeant major and parachute instructor warrant officer. He then held various positions in the army, including the highest rank of Regimental Sergeant Major of the Malaysian Army on 7 May 2015. He was promoted to Regimental sergeant major of the MAF on 6 October 2019.[13]
  • Jantan Nyamat, PGB - Jantan joined the army in 1952 and left in 1959. He reenlisted and returned to his old unit, 1 RAMD, on 15 November 1963, during the Indonesia–Malaysia conflict. He was transferred here after 9 RAMD was established in 1965, and he then volunteered for the newly formed Tiger Platoon of 9 RAMD. He was promoted to the rank of Platoon Sergeant. He accomplished much with the Tiger Platoon, and the King of Malaysia awarded him the Star of the Commander of Valour for his actions on 23 December 1972. Jantan retired from the army with the rank of Warrant Officer Class II in 1979.[14]
  • Safar Ibrahim, PGB - Safar enlisted in the army in 1953. In Tiger Platoon, he was a section leader. During a routine patrol on 20 December 1972, his team of four was ambushed by a team of communist terrorists. The strength of the opposing team ranges between 20 and 25 members. Despite being outnumbered and all of the patrol members having been shot, they managed to kill one terrorist and survive the ambush. Safar bravely exposed himself 20 minutes after the ambush began in order to find a location to call for backup because his patrol was already low on ammo. He threw two grenades as cover fire and managed to call for backup. The King of Malaysia awarded him the Star of the Commander of Valour for his bravery during the ambush. On 22 January 1977, Safar retired from the army with the rank of Corporal. He died in a car accident in 1980.[14]
  • Taib Tawal Pingat Gagah Berani - Taib enlisted in the army in late 1960's he involved battle of Gunung Pueh in November 1973 with his leader Captain Hamid Awang
  • Yaacob Mohd Zain - General (Retd.) Tan Sri Yaacob Mohd Zain was the third Commander of 9 RAMD. He was promoted to the highest professional rank in the Malaysian Armed Forces, Chief of the Defence Forces, on 11 April 1992.
  • Zulkifeli Mohd Zin - General (Retd.) Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin was the 15th Commander of 9 RAMD (Para). He is the unit's first commander since it was rebuilt for an airborne role. On 15 June 2011, he was appointed the 18th Chief of the Defence Forces.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sejarah Ringkas". 9 RAMD Para (in Malay). 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sejarah Pasukan 9 RAMD Para". Bn ke-9 Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja Para (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2018-07-19. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  3. 1 2 "Maklumat". 9 RAMD Para (in Malay). 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  4. 1 2 "Penerima Anugerah". 9 RAMD Para (in Malay). 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  5. ↑ "Sumbangan Pasukan". 9 RAMD Para (in Malay). 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  6. 1 2 "Lambang". 9 RAMD Para (in Malay). 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-10-09. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  7. ↑ "Warna Bendera, Lambang, Lagu dan Cogan Kata Pasukan". Bn ke-9 Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja Para (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  8. ↑ Shamsul Afkar Abd Rahman (2013). "History of special operations forces in Malaysia". Naval Postgraduate School.
  9. ↑ "Ragaan Batalion". 9 RAMD Para (in Malay). 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 "Pegawai Memerintah". 9 RAMD Para (in Malay). 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "Upacara Serah Terima Tugas Pegawai Memerintah 9 RAMD (Para)". 9 RAMD Para (in Malay). 27 February 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  12. ↑ Mohd Ikram Hakim Mohd Fisol, Lieutenant (28 January 2021). "Serah Terima Tugas Pegawai Memerintah 9 RAMD (PARA)". Berita Tentera Darat Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  13. ↑ "Profil SMR ATM". www.mafhq.mil.my (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2019-11-15. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  14. 1 2 "Pahlawan Yang Disegani". Bn ke-9 Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja Para (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
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