10th Parachute Brigade (Malaysia)

A paratrooper of 10 Para with Colt M4A1 with M203 grenade launcher and Aimpoint Micro-T1 red dot sight.

10 Para's primary role is to be the nation's main offensive force in time of war or emergencies. The creation of the Parachute Brigade was proposed by Malaysia's defence planners in the late 1970s as a part of the modernisation plan for the military. The plan originally did not receive much support from the government due to concerns that the formation of such a brigade would be looked with suspicion by its neighbour, Singapore.

In November 1988, Malaysia was unable to respond to a request for assistance by Maldives when that country was invaded by Tamil mercenaries. This inability to render timely help to prompt Malaysian leaders to move to form paratrooper units within the Malaysian Army.

10 Parachute Brigade is highly skilled in accordance with its status as a Rapid Deployment Force. The paratroopers are vigorously trained for specialised combat operations and rapid deployment in alignment with the brigade's motto Tindak Pantas (English: Act Fast). The 10 Para can be deployed from land, air and sea.

Paratrooper from 10 Para of Malaysian Army holding his M4A1 Carbine.

Maroon beret

The maroon beret worn by the 10 Parachute Brigade is known as 'Pegasus'. The conditions for wearing the maroon beret are to pass the basic parachute course and to APAC course. This is an imitation of the British Parachute Regiment, as is the way the beret is worn and the cap badge. Much of their training is based on the British paras due to their reputation of being the best airborne force in the world.

Cap badge

Parachute wings with Kris on a black triangle backing pointing downwards.

Parachutist badge

For 10 Para members, the parachute wings are titled Sayap Berdarah meaning 'The Bleeding Wings'. During graduation ceremony, VIPs (usually the Chief of Army or the Commander of 10 Para) or instructors will punch the metal parachute wing into graduates' chest. The sharp pins from the wing will make graduates bleed with their wings.

PAC shoulder tab

This tab is only worn by the members of 10 Para on their left shoulder both at service dress uniform and battledress. The tab is in maroon colour and embroidered with black letters 'PAC' which an acronym for Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat.

Airborne shoulder tab

This tab is worn by any soldiers who passed the Basic Parachute Course held by the PULPAK. The tab is similar to the US Army 101st Airborne Division tab; yellow/gold 'AIRBORNE' letters embroidered on black background, and worn on the right shoulder of the service dress uniform. The black and olive version is worn at the combat uniform.

Slogan

Tiada Misi Terlalu Sukar, Tiada Pengorbanan Terlalu Besar, Tugas Diutamakan ('No Mission Is Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Is Too Great, Duty Becomes Priority')

Structure of the 10 Para

10 Parachute Brigade is based at Terendak Camp, Malacca, also known as 'Home of the Paras'.

Members of the brigade must pass a Kursus Asas Payung Terjun ('Basic Parachute Course') and Kursus Asas Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat (APAC; 'Basic Rapid Deployment Force Course') before being qualified to wear the maroon beret and parachute wing.[4]

Basic Rapid Deployment Course (5 Weeks)

Paratroopers of 10 Para with Supacat vehicle.

Known as Kursus Asas Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat (APAC) in Malay language, this rigorous course is conducted at Perkampungan Gempita Para ('Para Combat Village'), Terendak Camp, Malacca. The purpose of this course is to mentally and physically train the paratroopers to its elite status, applying esprit de corps and emphasise the 'Buddy System' among themselves. Also known as Latihan Semangat Waja, this course is divided into two phases.[7]

Advanced training

Paratroopers from 10 Para in demonstration for the 56th Merdeka Day parade.

The career with the 10 Para does not stop once they receive the maroon beret. The 10 Para members can proceed to the next level of training by participating in an advanced course offered to them by the Malaysian Armed Forces. They can also try to join the 10 Para's Special Forces Equivalent Unit, the Pandura Company ('Pathfinder'). Some of the veteran paratroopers of the 10 Para proceeded to enter the Basic Commando Course.[8]

Some of the Advanced/Specialist training includes:

• Tactical Air Landing Operations (TALO)
• Free Fall
• Close Quarters Combat (CQC)
• HALO/HAHO
• Sniper
• Demolition expert
• Marksmanship
• Sharpshooters
• Pathfinder
• Combat medic (Airborne)[5]

Kami berikrar bahawa kami, sentiasa mentaati Rukun Negara dan Ikrar Kesatria.

Kami berikrar bahawa kami, dengan kemahuan kami sendiri, diterjunkan dan melaksanakan tugas parajurit para.

Kami berikrar bahawa kami menjunjung tinggi dan mempertahankan darjat, nama, kehormatan dan jiwa parajurit para.

Kami berikrar bahawa kami, sentiasa bersiap sedia untuk diterjunkan pada setiap saat, di mana jua, dan dalam keadaan apa sekalipun.

Kami berikrar bahawa kami, sentiasa bersikap sopan dan menurut perintah dengan ikhlas dan jujur.

"We pledge that we, always obey the Rukun Negara and the Warriors' Pledge.

We pledge that we, with our own will, jump (sic) and carry out the duties of the paratroopers.

We pledge that we uphold and defend the ranks, names, honours and souls of the paratroopers.

We pledge that we are always ready to jump (sic) at any time, anywhere, and in whatever circumstances.

We pledge that we will always be polite and sincerely and honestly carry all orders given to us."

The unit has been deployed in the following operations:

Operation	Country	Year
Malaysian Medical Team (MASMEDTIM), Chaman	Pakistan	2003
MASMEDTIM, Kashmir	Pakistan	2005
MASMEDTIM, Acheh	Indonesia	2004-2005
Operations PADANAN SIPADAN ISLAND RESORT (Ops Pasir)	Malaysia	2002
Operation Astute[11]	Timor-Leste	2006
MALCON-UNIFIL, Lebanon[12]	Lebanon	2007–present
Genting Sempah Incident[13]	Malaysia	2007
MALCON-ISAF, Afghanistan[14]	Afghanistan	2011–2014
Ops Daulat	Malaysia	2013

Malaysian Medical Team, Pakistan

On 14 October 2005, The Malaysian Medical Team (MasMedTim) soldiers serving in earthquake-hit Battagram, Pakistan have been recommended for a service allowance of RM100 a day. The team, which left for Pakistan had set up a field hospital in Battagram, some 250 km from Islamabad, on 26 October. Equipped only with tents that were more suitable for the tropics and kerosene heaters, MasMedTim soldiers had to battle subzero temperatures while carrying out their duties of providing aid to survivors of 8 October South Asia earthquake. Insufficient winter clothes and the lack of hot water at the campsite was affecting soldiers for over two months now as the temperature sometimes dropped to minus 7 degrees Celsius (−7 °C) at night.[15]

Operations "Padanan, Sipadan Island Resort"

The security surveillance, code-named Operation Padanan Sipadan Island Resort or known as Ops Pasir, which was launched on 20 September 2000 following the hostage-taking incidents in Sipadan and Pandanan islands, had restored confidence among tourists, including from the United States, to come to the resort islands. The integrated operation involves the Malaysian army, navy and air force as well as other related agencies such as the police and the coast guard.[16]

As the second most prestige beret in the Malaysian Army; only after the green beret of the Grup Gerak Khas, the maroon beret of 10 Para is honorarily awarded to the high ranking individuals, military or government high ranking and foreign VIPs.[17] In Malaysia, the honorary beret is part of the official military attires.

Among the recipients is:

• King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, received in May 2017.[18]
• Sultan Nazrin Shah, Sultan of Perak, received in August 2014.[17]
• Sultan Sallehuddin, Sultan of Kedah, received in February 2018.[19]
• Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince of Brunei, received in November 2013.[20]
• Crown Prince Tengku Amir Shah. Crown Prince of Selangor, received in March 2017.[21] Tengku Amir is a graduate of APAC Series 2/2016. He held the rank Leftenan Muda (Second Lieutenant) in 17 RAMD (Para) when he received the beret.[22]
• Dato' Seri Najib Razak, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, received in October 2003.[23]
• Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, former Malaysian Minister of Defence, received in July 2013.[24]
• General Tan Sri Ismail Omar, former Malaysian Chief of Defence Force, 1st recipient.[25]
• General Suraphong Suwana-adth, Thailand Chief of Defence Forces, received in May 2017.[26]
• Major General Pengiran Dato Seri Aminan Pengiran Haji Mahmud, Royal Brunei Armed Forces Commander, received in March 2014.[27]
• General Datuk Ismail Hassan, former Malaysian Chief of Army, 2nd recipient.[25]
• General Datuk Mohd. Zahidi Zainuddin, former Malaysian Chief of Army, 3rd recipient.[25]
• General Udomdej Sitabutr, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, received in March 2015.[28]
• General Chalermchai Sitthisad, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, received in April 2017.[29]
• General Budiman, Chief-of-Staff of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, received in October 2013.[30]
• Lieutenant General George Toisutta, Chief-of-Staff of the Indonesian Army, received on 11 May 2010.[31]

• Pvt. Awanis Othman, who died during a parachute exercise in Melaka on 31 July 1998.
• Pvt. Siti Hajar Yakob with three other paratroopers died during the full opening parachute rehearsal for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) on 2 December 2007.

Books, televisions and movie featuring the 10th Parachute Brigade

• 2010: "Delta Two Bar", a telemovie by RTM about a son of a Malaysian Communist Insurgency War veteran serves with the 10 Para.
• 2016: "Majalah 3: Wira Semerah Hati", a documentary by TV3 about 10 Para's operations.
• 2017: "Panorama: Sayap Berdarah", a documentary by RTM about 10 Para's operations. Aired on 15 September 2017.
• 2019: "Leftenan Zana", a TV series by TV3 starring Janna Nick and Sheila Rusly about the youngest daughter of a retired army officer dreaming to succeed her father legacy even though been prevented by her family. She ultimately becomes an officer and a paratrooper in the elite 10 Para. Aired on 7 February 2019.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 10 Para Brigade (Malaysia).

• Elite Forces of Malaysia
  • Malaysian Army 21st Grup Gerak Khas
  • Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL
  • Royal Malaysian Air Force PASKAU
  • Malaysia Coast Guard Special Task and Rescue
  • Royal Malaysia Police Pasukan Gerakan Khas