Grup Gerak Khas


The 21 Grup Gerak Khas - commonly known as GGK - is a special forces regiment of the Malaysian Army which conducts special operations missions for the Malaysian government, such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabotage, counter-terrorism, and intelligence gathering. It is the administrative and operational group to which the three regiments of the Gerak Khas and its supporting units are subordinated.
While the GGK traces its origins to 1965 and the post Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation, they gained fame and recognition worldwide after successfully pacifying a communist insurgency in the jungles of Malaysia during the Communist insurgency between 1968 and 1989.
21 Gerup Gerak Khas is commanded by a Major General and is currently located at Iskandar Camp, in Mersing, Johor comprising 11th Gerak Khas Regiment tasked to counter-terrorism, 21st Commando Regiment and 22nd Commando Regiment. The tasks of the three regiments are guerrilla/anti-guerrilla warfare, escape and evasion, subversion, sabotage, counter terrorism, asymmetric warfare and their most highly regarded expertise – jungle warfare.

History

The Special Forces Directorate was established by the Ministry of Defence in the 1960s to co-ordinate the operations of the special forces regiments during the Indonesian Confrontation. In 1965, the Ministry of Defence called for volunteers from the Army and Navy for commando training. On 25 February 1965, introductory training was conducted at Majidee Camp, Johor Bahru by the British 40 Commando of the Royal Marines. The selection was harsh, and from the initial 300 personnel who volunteered, only 15 were selected to undergo the six-week Basic Commando Course. Of these, only four officers and nine other ranks passed. Here is the list of men who were part of the nucleus team which later formed the GGK:
  1. Major Abu Hassan Bin Abdullah
  2. Lieutenant Mohd Ramli Bin Ismail
  3. Second Lieutenant Ghazali Bin Ibrahim
  4. Second Lieutenant Hussin Bin Awang Senik
  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
This unit is partly based on 40 Commando, Royal Marines and was then called Malaysian Special Service Unit. With assistance from instructors from 40 Commando RM, the Special Service Group expanded and in 1965 conducted six Basic Commando courses. On 1 August 1970 the 1st Special Service Regiment was formed at Sungai Udang Camp in Malacca. In January 1981, Markas Gerup Gerak Khas was established in Imphal Camp, Kuala Lumpur to act as the brigade headquarters for the three special forces regiments. The headquarters group would also include combat support units and service support units.
Gerup Gerak Khas was renamed 21 Gerup Gerak Khas which formalises the formation as the 21st brigade group in the Malaysian Army.

Bases

Sungai Udang Camp is acknowledged as the "Home of the Commandos" and its spiritual home. Members of the regiment have trained with foreign special forces units from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Indonesia, Australia and the United States. Under the 3rd Malaysian Plan and the expansion of the Armed Forces, the Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas was established.
In 1983, 22nd Commando Regiment moved to Kuala Kubu Baru due to congestion at Sungai Udang Military Camp.
21 Gerup Gerak Khas and its regiments and support units have moved to Iskandar Camp, the new Special Operations Force base in Mersing. Situated 15 km south of Mersing, Iskandar Camp covers an area of. Facilities include 200 buildings, 20 km of roads, 3 bridges, a harbour, helicopter landing pads, parade squares and other facilities. The project cost was MYR 422 million. The new base was named Kem Iskandar, after the late Sultan of Johor, a staunch supporter of Rejimen Gerak Khas and its former Colonel-in-chief.

Organisations

The Malaysian Special Forces is subordinated to the Armed Forces HQ and Army HQ. The three regiments of Gerak Khas are grouped under 21 Gerup Gerak Khas. This brigade sized unit also includes supporting units such as Signals and Engineer units. 11 Rejimen Gerak Khas is currently also tasked with the Counter Revolutionary Warfare function.
Gerup Gerak Khas has faced problems retaining members nearing the end of their enlistment, and finding new recruits to replace existing commandos once they reached the mandatory age limit. Concerned with high numbers of Gerak Khas personnel leaving the service, the Malaysian Government increased, as of 1 January 2005, the monthly incentive payments to MYR 600 for those who have served between 1 and 10 years, MYR 750 for those who had served between 11 and 15 years and MYR 900 for those whose service have exceeded 16 years.

Units

National Special Operations Force

In 2016, main counter-terrorism operators in Malaysia are formed into one special operations task force. Few operators from 11 RGK are selected to be part of the National Special Operations Force.

Special Forces Directorate

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

Recruitment, selection and training

Special Warfare Training Centre

Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus was formed on 1 August 1976. Before its inception, all GGK personnel training was conducted by 1st RGK. However, 21 Cdo, 22 Cdo and 11 RGK are still supporting PULPAK by providing manpower and expertise. The role of PULPAK is to provide specialised courses and training for all army personnel in accordance with current situation:
  1. To conduct basic commando training for the Malaysian Army and other services.
  2. To train personnel of Special Operations Forces as well as other soldiers in specialised training and special operations as required by higher authority.
  3. To conduct advanced training for Special Operations Forces and army personnel as directed by higher authority.
  4. To conduct training evaluation test on Special Operations Forces Units.
  5. To provide observers and qualified instructors for specialised assignments in Special Operations Forces Units.
  6. To revise and analyse all doctrines pertaining to specialised training and operations.

    Selection and Training

Malaysia Army recruits the Kursus Asas Komando three times a year; series AK1, AK2 and AK3. The course lasts for 12 weeks, divided into five phases. To enter the course, a soldier must be first served at other unit within the Malaysia Army at least a year with good record.
Before entering the course, each future trainee is compulsory to attend a 30 day orientation. The hard condition of the orientation will determine whether the student eligible to participate the Basic Commando Course or not.
The five phases of Basic Commando Course are:
;Phase 1 - Camp Phase
;Phase 2 - Jungle Phase
;Phase 3 - Swamp Phase and Long Range March
;Phase 4 - Sea Phase
;Phase 5 - Final Phase - Escape and Evasion
;Graduation
All members of GGK train with the SAS as well as the US Army's 1st Special Forces Group and United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance units. 1st Bn/1st SFG usually drops by a few times a year. The GGK and the Indonesian's Kopassus enjoy a close relationship.

Expansions

The 2nd Special Service Regiment was established on 1 January 1977, based at Sungai Udang Camp, Malacca. In 1979, Colonel Borhan Bin Ahmad was appointed the Commandant of Special Warfare Training Centre. A separate Special Forces Directorate was established in the Ministry of Defence on 4 April 1980 and the Markas Gerup Gerak Khas was established in Imphal Camp, Kuala Lumpur. As such, supporting units were attached to Gerup Gerak Khas.
The commando units were then re-designated and 1st Special Service Regiment became 21st Regiment Para Commando and 2 Special Service Regiment became 22nd Regiment Para Commando. On 1 April 1981, the 11th and 12th Special Service Regiments were formed to provide support to 21st Commando and 22nd Commando. However 12th Special Service Regiment was disbanded soon after during the realignment of the Malaysian Army in the 1980s and its members were deployed to other combat units. Further to this development, the designation for the Para Commando Regiment was changed to the Commando Regiment. In 1983, 22nd Commando Regiment moved to Kuala Kubu Baru due to insufficient facilities in Sungai Udang Camp. All three as well as the Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL will be soon moving out to the new SOF base in Mersing, facing the South China Sea unlike the Sungai Udang which is facing the very busy waterway of the Straits of Malacca. Sungai Udang Camp is very small and lacking in many facilities for a good SOF base and training centre. It is also near to a massive oil refinery and countless condominium projects which makes it unsuitable for security and practical reasons. The 3 regiments again had a name change, becoming known as 11th CRW Regiment, 21st Commando Regiment and 22nd Commando Regiment.
Sungai Udang Camp was certified as the ‘Home of the Commandos’. Its achievements attracted many volunteers from other corps. Lieutenant Colonel Borhan bin Ahmad was the first administrator of MSSG responsible for expanding the Special Operations Forces. Various activities including sports and other Army activities were organised to get the SOF involved. Joint programs are conducted with other countries such as Britain, New Zealand, Australia and the United States to improve knowledge and to get new experience in certain aspects of SOF operations.
In the Third Malaysia Plan and the expansion of the Armed Forces, Special Warfare Training Centre was established on 1 August 1976. The function is to fulfill the training requirements for the Special Forces Team. After the establishment of SWTC, the Second Regiment of Special Service was established on 1 January 1977. All the three units were based in Sungai Udang, Malacca. In 1979, SWTC was fully established with Colonel Borhan bin Ahmad as the Commandant.
The Special Forces Directorate was established in the Ministry of Defence on 4 April 1980. Further to this, in January 1981, Gerup Gerak Khas Command Headquarters was established in Imphal Camp, Kuala Lumpur. The establishment of the Special Operations Forces group also involved other elements such as the combat support units and service support units. At the same time the names of the commando units were re-designated to 21st Regiment Para Commando and 22nd Regiment Para Commando.

Honours

Many members of the Regiment has been decorated for bravery and gallantry. Notable awards received by members of the Regiment include
The Regimental motto is 'Cepat Dan Cergas'.
The Regiment Crest, fondly called 'Harimau Berjuang' or fighting tiger, comprises a roaring tiger and the commando dagger. Green signifies the Regiment's status as a Commando regiment. Blue symbolises the close relationship between Gerak Khas with 40 Commando, Royal Marines. The Tiger denotes bravery, signifying ferocity and might. The Commando knife defines the commando status of the Regiment – only commandos use the commando knife.

Uniform

The Gerak Khas wears the same BDU uniforms as other combat elements of the Malaysian Army, but are distinguished by their Green beret with GERAKHAS insignia, blue lanyard rope on their right shoulder, commando dagger engraved with GERAKHAS, highly folded sleeves, and their GERAKHAS shoulder tab. Parachute wings are worn over the left pocket, but only by those who specialise in air training.

Green Beret

Members of Gerak Khas wear the Green Beret, a common symbol among the commando and special forces community. The 'Harimau Berjuang' cap badge is worn with the green beret.

Blue Lanyard

Members of Gerak Khas also wear the blue lanyard, an honour accorded to them by 40 Commando, Royal Marines. 40 Commando RM was instrumental in training the original members of 1st Special Service Regiment, the forerunner of 21 Komando. Personnel of both 40 Commando RM and Gerak Khas wear the traditional blue lanyards.

Shoulder Flash

Members of the regiment also wear a 'GERAKHAS' shoulder tab.
;Blue
;Green
;Tiger
;Dagger
;Cepat dan Cergas

Ranks

Gerak Khas use different name for certain ranks in 21 GGK. For example, 21 GGK using Trooper which equivalent to Malaysian Army Private and Colour Sergeant instead of Staff Sergeant.
21 GGK using distinctive green colour bar chevron on theirs No. 5 Uniform for Lain-lain Pangkat instead of black bar chevron.

Deployments/Missions

Communist Terrorist Insurgency 1966–1990

During the communist insurgency, Regiment Gerak Khas members fought in the Malaysian jungles.

Battle of Mogadishu (1993)

Gerup 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. And the battle was filmed as Black Hawk Down.

16th Commonwealth Games

Gerup Gerak Khas was deployed with Pasukan Gerakan Khas to provide security and was on standby for Hostage Rescue during the 16th Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Gerup Gerak Khas members were deployed to Bosnia, the one and only commando unit from South East Asia to have served in Bosnia.

Timor Leste 2006

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

Genting Sempah Incident

In July 2007, 22nd Gerak Khas co-operated with elite 10 Paratrooper 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 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 17 July 1324 hrs. All six RMAF crew on board were killed and their bodies were found in the cabin.

MALCON – UNIFIL 2007

Gerup Gerak Khas units were deployed with 10 Paratrooper Brigade, PASKAL and PASKAU involved MALCON – UNIFIL to serve in Lebanon.

MALCON – ISAF

The special forces included Gerup Gerak Khas, PASKAU, 10 Paratrooper Brigade and PASKAL was deployed with other Malaysian contingents to involve the administrative workload at the International Security Assistance Force 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.

2013 Lahad Datu standoff

Gerup Gerak Khas is mobilised to Lahad Datu, Sabah for 2013 Lahad Datu standoff alongside various other special forces unit. The team played the major role in hunting down the Sulu terrorist group.

Killed on Duty

  • Trooper Rasli Bin Buang
  • Lance Coperal Saimon Bin Tarikat
  • Trooper Ali
  • Staff Sargeant Azman Bin Mohd Tahir
  • Trooper Mathew a/k Medan
  • Major Zahir Bin Armaya

    In popular culture

Books, televisions and movie.
  • 2011: "Beret Hijau", a TV series by RTM about a village boy wishing to become a commando.
  • 2011: "'", a book by Ahmad Ridzuan Wan Chik about Gerak Khas history.
  • 2012: "'", a book by retired Army Major Nazar Talib. The book documented about his life as an officer in 21 GGK.
  • 2013: "Majalah Skot", a 13 episodes documentary by RTM about Malaysian Army Corps and Regiments. Episode 11 is about Gerak Khas.
  • 2013: "'", a documentary by History Channel Asia about 21 GGK Selections.
  • 2014: "'", a TV series by RTM about the season 1 protagonist's life in 11 RGK.
  • 2015: ":ms:Bravo 5 |Bravo V", an action movie based on a true story about five-men Gerak Khas Reconnaissance Patrol during the Second Malayan Emergency.
  • 2017: "", a 4 episodes documentary host by Terry Schappert for History Channel about Malaysian Gerup Gerak Khas, Philippines' Marine Recon, Thailand's Marine Recon, Philippines' Scout Ranger, Sri Lankan Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol and Taiwanese.