Gerak Khas (Malaysian Army unit)

Gerak Khas which was founded on 7 May 1965 as the Malaysian Special Service Unit (MSSU), is the successor to the Malayan Special Forces.[6] This unit started as a special operations task force, with all of its members receiving commando training from the Royal Marines' 40 Commando.[7]

The Ministry of Defence invited volunteers from the Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysian Navy for commando training in 1965. The 40 Commando of the Royal Marines conducted introductory training at Majidee Camp in Johor Bahru on 25 February 1965. Only 15 people were chosen from the initial 300 who volunteered to attend the six-week Basic Commando Course at the British Army Jungle Warfare Training School. Only four officers and nine other ranks were successful. The following men were members of the nucleus team that later became the MSSU:

1. Major Abu Hassan Bin Abdullah (Colonel retired)
2. Lieutenant Mohd Ramli Bin Ismail (Major General retired)
3. Second Lieutenant Ghazali Bin Ibrahim (Major General retired)
4. Second Lieutenant Hussin Bin Awang Senik (Colonel retired)
5. 4861 Staff Sergeant Zakaria Bin Adas
6. 6842 Sergeant Ariffin Bin Mohamad
7. 300152 Sergeant Anuar Bin Talib
8. 201128 Sergeant Yahya Bin Darus
9. 202072 Corporal Silva Dorai
10. 203712 Corporal Moo Kee Fah
11. 13852 Lance Corporal Johari Bin Haji Morhd Siraj
12. 10622 Lance Corporal Sabri Bin Ahmad
13. 10773 Lance Corporal Muhammad Shah Izwan Bin Hanafi

Six more Basic Commando courses were held after the first batch, and the MSSU finally reached its full strength. At the time, the MSSU was stationed at Sebatang Karah Camp in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.

The MSSU was on the verge of being disbanded by the brass after the Indonesia–Malaysia conflict officially ended in 1966. The Communist insurgency occurred in 1968, but at the time, all military units in Malaysia were trained in jungle warfare, and Malaysia was assisted by special forces from the Commonwealth of Nations for special operations. Malaysian police, in addition to the military, had their own jungle squads (now known as General Operations Force) to assist in combating communists at the time. A special operations task force did not appear to be required.[7][8]

The 13 May incident occurred in major cities throughout Peninsular Malaysia in 1969, and the MSSU was dispatched from Sebatang Karah Camp to defend the Mindef Camp in Kuala Lumpur. MSSU also collaborated with the Royal Malaysia Police's Special Branch to apprehend leaders of gangsters and triads who contributed to the incident's racial tensions behind the scenes. As a result, the incident was short-lived, and the brass decided not to disband the MSSU.[7]

The MSSU, as a task force, was made up of commando-trained soldiers and sailors from various regiments and corps of the Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysian Navy. This creates a problem because the soldiers and sailors are also responsible for their original units. On 1 August 1970, army command relocated the MSSU to Sungai Udang Camp in Malacca and established a new unit as the MSSU's successor. The regiment is known as the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment. Soldiers and sailors who wanted to serve as special forces had to resign from their original units and volunteer to join the 1 MSSR by 1973.[7][9]

Due to expansion, the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment became the 21st Special Service Group.

Sungai Udang Camp is known as the 'Home of the Commandos' and the spiritual home of the Gerak Khas. The Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas (PULPAK; 'Special Warfare Training Centre') was established here in 1975 as part of the 3rd Malaysian Plan and the expansion of the Armed Forces. Due to overcrowding at Sungai Udang Military Camp, the 22nd Commando Regiment relocated to Kuala Kubu Bharu in 1983. This camp is still occupied by two Gerak Khas regiments today.

Troopers of Gerak Khas during a Counter-Terrorism demo.

The 21st Special Service Group, one of its combat regiments, and all support units have relocated to the new special operations force base in Mersing, Iskandar Camp. Iskandar Camp is located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Mersing and spans an area of 2,000 acres (8.1 km²). There are 200 buildings, 20 kilometres of roads, three bridges, a harbour, helicopter landing pads, parade squares, and other facilities. The total cost of the project was MYR 422 million. The new base was named Kem Iskandar after Johor's late Sultan, Iskandar of Johor, a staunch supporter of Gerak Khas and its former Colonel-in-Chief.

The great majority of Gerak Khas commandos are members of the 21st Special Service Group (21 SSG). The Malaysian Army's 21 SSG is a brigade-sized independent special operations unit that reports directly to the Chief of Army. There are three special forces combat units under 21 SSG, which are supported by numerous special forces support units. A Major General commands the 21st Special Service Group.

The Special Forces Directorate is a small group of around 20 personnel, tasked with planning and co-ordination of resources and equipment of 21st Special Service Group. The directorate also provides assistance during operational deployment of 21st Special Service Group units and formulate policy guidelines. The Cell also undertakes Planning and Intelligence tasks as well as Operational Research Section.[10]

Aside from the 21 SSG, some Gerak Khas commandos are assigned as instructors at the Special Warfare Training Centre, which is managed by the Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command. One company of Gerak Khas commandos was also assigned to the Malaysian Army Ready Battalion as a special operations element. Some Gerak Khas commandos were also attached to HANDAU (now known as PASKAU) as the RMAF Air Rescue Team in the 1980s.

In 2016, Malaysia's main counter-terrorism operators merged to form a single special operations task force. Some 11th Special Service Regiment operators have been chosen to serve in the National Special Operations Force.[11] The National Special Operations Force was disbanded in July 2018.

Following the disbandment of the National Special Operations Force in 2018, the Malaysian Armed Forces intend to establish a joint special operations task force similar to the NSOF, but only for special forces units from the Malaysian Armed Forces.[12] This unit, known as the Defense Special Operations Division or Bahagian Operasi Pasukan Khas Pertahanan in Malay language, was established in 2020. Some Gerak Khas commandos have been assigned to the DSOD.[5]

This unit, known as the Pasukan Khas Perisikan Tempur ('Special Combat Intelligence Force'), was formed on 1 April 1972 with 35 commandos from the Gerak Khas and assigned as a combat intelligence unit to the Royal Intelligence Corps. This unit later expanded to become the 91st Intelligence Operations Group. Its members are still sent to the Special Warfare Training Centre for the Basic Commando Course today.[3][13]

On 1 August 1976, the Special Warfare Training Centre, also known as PULPAK from its Malay name – Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus, was established. Prior to its establishment, the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment was in charge of all Gerak Khas training. PULPAK is still supported by 21 Cdo, 22 Cdo, and 11 SSR in terms of manpower and expertise. PULPAK's role is to provide specialised courses and training for all military and law enforcement personnel in accordance with current circumstances:

1. To train basic commandos for the Malaysian Army and other services (Navy, Air Force).
2. To train Special Operations Forces personnel as well as other soldiers in specialised training and special operations as directed by higher authorities.
3. To provide advanced training for Special Operations Forces and army personnel as directed by higher authority.
4. To carryout training and evaluation tests on Special Operations Forces units.
5. To deliver qualified observers and instructors for specialised assignments in Special Operations Forces Units.
6. To revise and analyse all doctrines pertaining to specialised training and operations.

Officers and other ranks are selected in the same way as for entering Gerak Khas. However, officers must volunteer and be assigned to units under the 21st Special Service Group before they can begin the Basic Commando Course. Officers are given a few months after being assigned before they can volunteer for the Basic Commando Course. They must complete the Basic Commando Course within three years of joining units under 21 SSG. If they fail to do so, the officers will be required to return to their previous unit and will no longer be able to enrol in the Basic Commando Course.[13]

Two members of Gerak Khas using jet ski during a demo at Banding Lake, Perak. One of them is armed with a Colt M4A1 assault rifle.

Each future trainee is required to attend a 30-day preparatory course, also known as the Gerak Khas orientation, before beginning the Basic Commando Course. The difficulty of the orientation will determine whether or not the student is eligible to participate in the Basic Commando Course.[14]

The Malaysian Army recruits for the Kursus Asas Komando ('Basic Commando Course') three times per year, in series AK1, AK2, and AK3. The course is divided into five phases and lasts 12 weeks. To be eligible for the course, a soldier must have served in another unit of the Malaysian Army for at least a year and have a good record.[14] The five phases of Basic Commando Course are:

Phase 1 - Camp Phase (5 weeks)

Organized in five weeks, this phase is actually the most important level to test and develop individual physical & mental resistance. Physical endurance, weapon handling, explosives handling, tactics & stratagem implementation (muslihat), field medical, rappelling / abseiling and map reading skills are among the exercises conducted. The trainees are also required to undergo several series of long range march with full combat load. Range is increased from 4.8 km, 8 km, 11.2 km, 14 km to 16 km respectively. Usually, some of the trainees fail to arrive at the designated checkpoint within the stipulated time and they will be sent back to their original unit or other services ("turun skot" – according to the Army's lingo).

Phase 2 - Jungle Phase (2 weeks)

This two-week jungle training is a favourite among the trainees. This is where the trainees will be exposed to practical training, field skills & know-how such as guarding & patrolling, establishing base, survival and section/troop combat.

Phase 3 - Swamp Phase and Long Range March (1 week)

In this phase, all trainees undergo a tough combat march along with their 17 kg pack and reach the target 160 km in three days. Those who succeed will continue to live in the swampy area for seven days without food supply or proper clothing (they wear only underwear). They will practice all survival lessons here.

Phase 4 - Sea Phase (2 weeks)

The sea training is conducted in two weeks, where the trainees are exposed to practical exercises such as small craft navigation, long range/silent rowing and coastal attack using Rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIB), scuba diving and kayaks. After completing the 'curriculum', they will travel 160 km along the Straits of Malacca using kayaks.

Phase 5 - Final Phase - Escape and Evasion (E&E) (2 weeks)

Now it is time for trainees to apply what they have learned and endured in the previous stage. All trainees are deployed in groups and they must infiltrate 100 km into the operation area by rowing RIB. At the operation area, trainees need to find and identify the location of the enemy, organize and launched an attack in the area. Once they've achieved the objective, they need to escape and report to several agents at designated checkpoints. They must know how to contact their agents and evade the "enemy" who controls that area. If they are caught, they will be tortured and abused. The trainees will then be released and continue their journey until they arrive at the last checkpoint. The total length the trainees cover during their escape are almost 240 km and they must cover the length within 5 days.

Graduation

Trainee whom pass will be given a week rest after final phase and before green beret award ceremony. At the ceremony, the graduates will perform a beach assault demonstration in front of VIPs and graduates' family and friends before they will be awarded green beret, blue lanyard and a Fairbairn & Sykes Commando Dagger.[15]

The Special Warfare Training Centre provides advanced special operations training up to supervisor level. There are a few exceptions where Gerak Khas commandos are sent to overseas schools for advanced training. However, this is reserved for the best trainees. Among the advanced training courses available are:

• Sniper
• Mountaineering
• Small unit patrol
• Close-quarters combat
• Parachuting
• High-altitude military parachuting
• Pathfinder
• Parachute rigger
• Small boat operations
• Underwater diving
• Combat swimmer
• Underwater demolition

Gerak Khas commandos wear the green beret, a common symbol among the commando and special forces communities. The green beret is worn with the 'Harimau Berjuang' cap badge. The Gerak Khas' beret-wearing style is its cap badge worn on the left and facing side. The Gerak Khas inherited this style from the Royal Marines Snipers during the Communist insurgency in Malaysia. Today, this beret-wearing style is still used by British Armed Forces units, most notably the 45 Commando of Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment.[16]

Gerak Khas commandos wear a light blue lanyard, an honour bestowed upon them by their founders and instructors, the 40 Commando of Royal Marines. 40 Commando RM was instrumental in training the first members of the Malaysian Special Service Unit in 1965. In Malaysia, all soldiers who have completed basic commando training at the Special Warfare Training Centre are awarded a light blue lanyard.[17]

Members of the 21st Special Service Group also have a GERAKHAS shoulder tab on their left sleeve.

Blue

The blue colour symbolises close relationship between the Malaysian Special Service Group with 40 Commando, Royal Marine (British). The formation of Malaysian Special Service Group (MSSG) was initiated by 40 Commando RM which was also responsible for the training and imparting of specialised skills to these selected personnel. Personnel of 40 Commando RM and Gerak Khas Units wear the light blue lanyards.

Green

All qualified personnel of Special Forces are awarded the green berets. Green beret is also a commonly worn headgear of the other Special Forces in the world. The green colour also symbolises Islam – the official religion of Malaysia.

Tiger

Tiger denotes bravery. The mean and unwaning features of the tiger portrays ferocity and might. These characteristics are to be possessed and portrayed by personnel of the Special Forces.

Dagger

The dagger symbolises the essence of decisiveness, steadfastness and inherent ability of rationalisation possessed by the personnel of the Special Forces. The unsheathed dagger portray the status of combat readiness of the Special Forces Units which are ever ready for all eventualities at all times. Its vertical alignment denotes the spirit and aspiration of the Special Forces personnel.

Cepat dan Cergas

The slogan 'Cepat Dan Cergas' (English: Fast & Agile) is chosen in accordance with the role and tasks of the special forces. Its personnel must be efficient, nimble and brave

Gerak Khas commandos wears a distinctive green bar chevron on their No. 5 Uniform (combat uniform) for other ranks (Malay: Lain-lain Pangkat) rather than the black bar chevron worn by other units in the Malaysian Army.

Gerak Khas commandos distinguished themselves from other units by folding their combat uniforms in a distinctive manner. This style, also known as Lipatan Gaya Samseng in Malay, is characterised by higher-folded sleeves that expose the un-camouflage inside of the uniform and the wearer's biceps. This is in contrast to the Malaysian Army's formal style, in which the sleeve is folded in such a way that the camouflage is visible. Since the Communist insurgency (1968–1989), the Gerak Khas have inherited this traditions from the Royal Marines No. 3B Dress (Summer dress) and Special Air Service.[18]

As a symbol of graduation, all early Gerak Khas commandos who have completed the Royal Marines' basic commando course are given a Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife. The Gerak Khas has carried on this tradition, and today all graduates of the Special Warfare Training Centre are given a Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife in addition to the green beret and light blue lanyard. During parades, the commando dagger has become a part of the military attire for the 21st Special Service Group and is worn on the left side of the belt.[19]

During the communist insurgency, Regiment Gerak Khas commandos fought in the Malaysian jungles.[2]

Gerak Khas was involved in the high-profile operations including deployment with the Royal Malay Regiment and units of the Pakistani army to rescue trapped US Army Rangers and Delta Force in the gunfight at Bakhara Market, Mogadishu, Somalia against the forces of the warlord Mohamed Farah Aidid. One Royal Malay Regiment soldier was killed, and several others wounded.

Gerak Khas was deployed with Pasukan Gerakan Khas (English: Police Special Operations Command) to provide security and was on standby for Hostage Rescue during the 16th Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

Gerak Khas members were deployed to Bosnia, the one and only Special Forces unit from Southeast Asia.[26]

22nd Commando Regiment were deployed to Bukit Jenalik, Sauk, near Kuala Kangsar, in Perak to capture a group of 32 Al-Ma'unah terrorists. During the operation, one commando Corporal Matthew anak Medan and two of the police personnel Sergeant (Sarjan) Mohd Shah Ahmad and Detective Corporal Raju Saghadevan, as well as civilian Jaafar Puteh were taken hostage. Corporal Matthew was tortured and killed subsequently after refusing to cooperate with the demands of the terrorists. Detective Saghadevan was killed by the terrorists too before the remaining hostages were rescued alive after the group decided to voluntarily surrender to the Malaysian authorities.

The units were deployed with other troopers from the 10th Parachute Brigade and Royal Malaysian Police elite team, Pasukan Gerakan Khas to calm troubles in Timor Leste, in an Australian-led mission called Operation Astute.[27]

In July 2007, 22nd Commando Regiment co-operated with the elite 10th Parachute Brigade, PASKAU and Pasukan Gerakan Khas and supported by the US Navy, police General Operations Force, Fire and Rescue Department, Forestry Department rangers, Civil Defence Department (JPA3) and villagers were deployed to search and rescue six missing air force crew who were involved in the Sikorsky S61 Nuri helicopter crash near Genting Sempah, in Genting Highlands. However, the SAR team found the wreckage of the helicopter, with its rotor blades detached at 5 km northwest of location at 1324 hrs on 17 July 2007. All six RMAF crew on board were killed and their bodies were found in the cabin.[28]

Gerak Khas units were deployed with the 10th Parachute Brigade, PASKAL and PASKAU involved MALCON – UNIFIL to serve in Lebanon.[29]

The special forces included Gerak Khas, PASKAU, 10th Parachute Brigade and PASKAL was deployed with other Malaysian contingents to involve the administrative workload at the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The team was deployed to assist the New Zealand Armed Forces in the peacekeeping missions and humanitarian aid at the Bamiyan District, Afghanistan.[30]

Gerak Khas was mobilised to Lahad Datu, Sabah during the 2013 Lahad Datu standoff alongside various other Malaysian Special Forces units. They played a major role in hunting down and neutralizing the Sulu terrorist group.