The history of the Malaysian Army can be traced back as early as 1st March 1933 with the formation of the First Experimental Squad of 25 Malay recruits under the British Administration marking the birth of the most senior regiment in the Malaysian Army which was later redesignated  as the Royal Malay Regiment (RMR).  The 1st and 2nd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment was formed in 1938 and consecutively in 1941.

The two battalions effectively took part in the Battle of Pasir Pangjang in the defense of Singapore on 14th February 1942 against Japanese forces during the World War II.  Despite the defeat of the British Army, the battalions fought courageously and won the admiration of both the British and Japanese.

Throughout the period of the first emergency (1948-1960) alongside the British Commonwealth Forces, and later with the nation’s Security Forces during the resurgence of the threat in 1969-1989, the Malaysian Army has been most successful in suppressing and eventually eliminating the internal threats in a Counter-Insurgency campaign.

Throughout the period of the first emergency (1948-1960) alongside the British Commonwealth Forces, and later with the nation’s Security Forces during the resurgence of the threat in 1969-1989, the Malaysian Army has been most successful in suppressing and eventually eliminating the internal threats in a Counter-Insurgency campaign.

The government of Malaysia between 1979-1983, introduces a modernization program which provide for the expansion of the Malaysian Army.  The subsequent restoration of peace and stability in the country enabled the Malaysian Army to reorganize into a conventional force.

In this period of expansion, the Malaysian Army aggressively pursued to transform the force with a focus towards the integration of systems, equipment, doctrine, training and necessary infrastructure in conjunction with soldier and leader development into combat capable unit that can decisively defend the nation.

Today, the Malaysian Army has transformed itself into a lean, compact and effective formidable force that are structured, equipped and trained to meet the uncertainties ahead.  For rapid and decisive maneuver, the fighting units are structured along combined arms formations and are equipped with state-of-the art weapon systems.  However, the most precious asset that has earned international recognition and respect was through her participation in international peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts world wide.