Brunei's Royal Malay Regiment: A Proud May Anniversary

May 31 is a significant date in the history of Brunei as it marks the anniversary of the formation of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment, which later became the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The date is annually observed as Armed Forces Day in Brunei and is a public holiday. The first steps towards the creation of the regiment were taken on May 31, 1961, when the first batch of 60 recruits for the new Regiment were sworn in and departed for military training. The Brunei Malay Regiment was formed with British military support and faced an early challenge during the Brunei revolt in December 1962, which highlighted the need for stronger national security. The regiment continued to grow and strengthen, and on May 31, 1965, it was bestowed the title 'Royal' by the Sultan at its fourth-anniversary parade.

The Brunei Malay Regiment was formed on 31 May 1961

The formation of the regiment was ordered by His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, with the first batch of 60 recruits departing for Port Dickson on the same day. The recruits were selected by Major Muhammad of the Federation of Malaya Armed Forces, who chose from over 100 applicants. The regiment was established with British military support and officers on loan from the British military.

The Brunei Malay Regiment was formed in response to the need for a full-time army to protect the country. During World War II, when Brunei was an important oil producer, the British employed an 'oil denial tactic', which ultimately failed as the invading Japanese army managed to access and operate the oil wells. This incident, along with the Brunei Revolt of 1962, highlighted the need for stronger national security and a more robust defence force.

The regiment faced early challenges due to the uprising in December 1962, which restricted trained members to their camp. This prompted the deployment of British forces, including the Gurkhas, to Brunei. Despite these setbacks, the Brunei Malay Regiment continued their training in the Federation of Malaya in 1963, and by the end of that year, the regiment's strength had reached 410 personnel.

In 1965, the Brunei Malay Regiment was renamed the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment, receiving the 'Royal' title from the Sultan on its fourth anniversary. The regiment continued to expand, and by 1966, it had established two new units: the Boat Section and the Air Service. On 1 January 1984, coinciding with Brunei's independence from the United Kingdom, the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment officially became the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

The regiment was honoured with the 'Royal' title on 31 May 1965

The Brunei Malay Regiment was formed on 31 May 1961, with British military support, to strengthen the country's defence system. The regiment was established in response to the Brunei revolt on the night of 7–8 December 1962, which highlighted the need for a more robust national security force.

On 31 May 1965, the Brunei Malay Regiment was honoured with the Royal title by the Sultan, becoming the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR). This prestigious title was bestowed upon the regiment during its fourth-anniversary parade. The RBMR continued to expand and strengthen in the following years, with the establishment of two new units: the Boat Section and the Air Service.

The Royal title bestowed upon the regiment by the Sultan was a significant milestone, recognising the dedication and importance of the Brunei Malay Regiment. This honour elevated the regiment's status and reflected its vital role in protecting and serving the nation.

The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment's expansion continued beyond 1965, and it underwent further structural changes. In 1966, the regiment's growth remained uninterrupted, even as Malaysia temporarily halted military training for Brunei. The RBMR demonstrated its resilience and adaptability by training rifle companies in Kota Belud in February and March of that year.

The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment's evolution continued, and it played a crucial role in the defence and security of Brunei. The honour of the Royal title bestowed by the Sultan on 31 May 1965, marked a pivotal moment in the regiment's history, solidifying its place as a respected and esteemed military force in the nation.

The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment became the Royal Brunei Armed Forces on 1 January 1984

The RBAF comprised approximately 3,900 enlisted personnel in 1984, an increase of 400 from 1982. The RBAF's training and support services included the Women's Company, the Training Centre, Medical and Dental Services, the Logistics Depot, the Procurement Branch, Engineer Workshops, the Provost Unit, the Fire Service, and the RBAF band. The establishment of the Royal Brunei Malay Reserve Regiment in 1987 significantly bolstered personnel numbers.

The RBAF is the official collective term for all military forces or service branches of the sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. It consists of three primary military branches: the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), and the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF). The supreme commander of the RBAF is held by the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has the rank of field marshal. The professional head of the RBAF holds the rank of major general, and as of 2024, this position is filled by Haszaimi Bol Hassan.

The forerunner to the RBAF, the Brunei Malay Regiment, was formed on 31 May 1961 with British military support. This date is annually marked as Armed Forces Day. The regiment faced an early challenge due to the Brunei revolt on 7–8 December 1962, which highlighted the need for stronger national security. The United Kingdom deployed its forces, including the Gurkhas, to Brunei in response. Despite this setback, the Brunei Malay Regiment continued its training in the Federation of Malaya in 1963. Recruitment drives for enlisted soldiers and short-service commissions took place, and selected candidates underwent officer cadet training. By the end of 1963, the regiment's strength had reached 410 personnel.

In 1965, the Brunei Malay Regiment was strengthened and officially became the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment. On its fourth anniversary, on 31 May 1965, the Sultan bestowed the title 'Royal' upon the regiment. The expansion of the regiment continued, and it established new units such as the Boat Section and the Air Service. The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment's growth continued even when Malaysia temporarily halted military training for Brunei in 1966. In October of that year, soldiers from the regiment's 6th and 9th platoons conducted small-scale operations in the Temburong District, capturing four members of the North Kalimantan National Army.

In 1967, the regiment updated its headgear emblem and shoulder titles to new green and gold colours, adopting the olive green shirt and trousers design from the British Army as part of its operational dress code. A new advancement policy for commissioned officers, modelled after the British Army system, was implemented. Three local officers attended a three-month advanced course in small arms and tactics in Wiltshire, England, and were to attach to an infantry brigade there before spending time with various battalions in West Germany.

The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment established a Training Wing in 1969, marking the beginning of significant growth. By the end of that year, the regiment had reorganised and expanded to 928 soldiers. An independent training facility was established at Bolkiah Camp, and a trial army cadet programme was introduced in secondary schools. On its fourteenth anniversary, the 2nd Battalion Royal Brunei Malay Regiment was formed.

In the years leading up to Brunei's independence, from 1979 to 1984, the country's defence strategies evolved significantly due to Britain's planned military withdrawal. Brunei accelerated the acquisition of advanced military weaponry and increased military spending to strengthen the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment in preparation for independence. This transformation culminated in the regiment's renaming as the Royal Brunei Armed Forces on 1 January 1984.

The regiment's first Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Colonel Tengku Ahmad bin Tengku Besar Barhanuddin

The first Commanding Officer of the Brunei Malay Regiment was Lieutenant Colonel Tengku Ahmad bin Tengku Besar Barhanuddin. He was seconded from Malaya and had served in the Army for 15 years, during which he was mentioned twice for gallantry in action against Communist Terrorists.

The Brunei Malay Regiment was formed on 31 May 1961, with British military support, and has continued to include officers on loan from the British military. 31 May is annually marked as Armed Forces Day. The forerunner to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Regiment was originally called the Brunei Malay Regiment (BMR), Malay: Askar Melayu Brunei (AMB).

The Regiment faced a significant challenge during its establishment due to the Brunei revolt on the night of 7-8 December 1962. This uprising highlighted the need for stronger national security, prompting the government to expedite the development of a more robust defence force. Despite this urgency, the trained Brunei Malay Regiment members were restricted to their camp during the insurrection, missing the chance to prove their effectiveness. In response, the United Kingdom deployed its own forces, including the Gurkhas, to Brunei.

The Regiment continued to train in the Federation of Malaya during 1963 without issues. Malaya Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak hoped Brunei would send more soldiers, enough to form a battalion. Recruitment for additional enlisted soldiers, aged 18 to 25, took place in May, and Brunei also called for volunteers for short-service commissions in December. Selected candidates underwent a six-week officer cadet training programme at the Federation Military College in Sungai Besi. By the end of 1963, the regiment's strength had reached 410 personnel.

By early 1964, it became clear that the Royal Malay Regiment could no longer provide officers, trainers, or services for Brunei. Despite this, the initial phase of Brunei's Berakas Camp was nearly complete. Lieutenant Colonel D.M. Fletcher replaced the Malayan commanding officer of the Brunei Malay Regiment. British Army troops on secondment filled the adjutant (Adj) and regimental sergeant major (RSM) positions. On 2 May 1964, the Brunei Malay Regiment moved from Segenting Camp to their new permanent headquarters at Berakas Camp. By the end of the year, the Brunei Malay Regiment was ready to take on many internal security duties previously handled by British Forces Brunei (BFB) personnel.

On 31 May 1965, the Sultan bestowed the title 'Royal' at its fourth-anniversary parade. The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment's expansion continued in 1966, despite Malaysia's temporary halt in providing military training to Brunei. The regiment's strength continued to grow, and on 1 January 1984, the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment became the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

The regiment's first 60 recruits were sworn in by a Magistrate at the Lapau

The formation of the Brunei Malay Regiment, now known as the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment, is annually commemorated on May 31. The date is significant as it marks the day the first batch of recruits were sworn in by a Magistrate at the Lapau and departed for Port Dickson. The swearing-in ceremony was a pivotal moment in the establishment of the regiment and the country's military history.

The formation of the regiment was a response to the growing need for a stronger national security force in Brunei. In the early 20th century, during World War II, the lack of a local army to defend the country was highlighted as the British, who had control over the oil fields, employed an 'oil denial tactic' which ultimately failed, and the invading Japanese army managed to gain control of the oil wells. This incident, along with the Brunei Revolt of 1962, emphasised the necessity for a full-time army to protect the country.

On April 21, 1961, a notice was published in the Borneo Bulletin, calling for candidates between the ages of 18 and 35, with specific height and weight requirements, and offering a monthly salary of $160, increasing to $184 after training. The response to this initial call was encouraging, with slightly more than 100 prospective soldiers applying for 60 available positions. Major Muhammad of the Federation of Malaya Armed Forces was tasked with selecting the successful candidates, and he was joined by a medical officer two days later.

The selection process took around 10 days, and on May 31, 1961, the first 60 recruits, all of whom were native Bruneians, gathered at the Lapau to take their oaths administered by a Magistrate. This ceremony formalised their commitment to serve and protect their country and marked the beginning of their military careers. After the swearing-in, the recruits were transported to the airport and later departed for Port Dickson, where they would undergo rigorous military training.

The swearing-in ceremony of the first 60 recruits at the Lapau holds historical significance as it represented the initial steps towards establishing a dedicated military force in Brunei. It demonstrated the country's determination to strengthen its defence capabilities and marked the beginning of a journey that would eventually lead to the formation of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment and, later, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. This event is a testament to the country's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and the well-being of its citizens.

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