The Malay Regiment

t started with a question from the British colonial government, concerned about the security of their protectorate Malaya: Could the Malays develop an effective modern fighting force?

So in 1933 a small batch of 25 Malay recruits were assigned to train with British officers in Port Dickson, Malaya: The 1st Experimental Company.

The 'founding father' was Major George Bruce, a tall sporty decorated WW1 hero, with a huge scar on his cheek from the Battle of the Somme.

Both sides sized each other up on the gravel parade ground, and decided we could both learn from each other.

The cross-cultural collaboration between British officers and Malay recruits proved successful, respecting local religion and practices, and developing the regiment’s DNA.

They soon impressed audiences locally and internationally with their drills and skills, dressed in dapper traditional sarong and songkoks, with ceremonial kris daggers at their sides. In 1935, they officially became The Malay Regiment.