Johor Military Forces

Pre-independence (1886-1957) The JMF was established and raised in 1886 during the reign of the first Sultan of Modern Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar. Its inception was based on the Anglo-Johor Treaty of 1885 signed by Sultan Abu Bakar and Queen Victoria in London, the United Kingdom to uphold peace and protect Johor including Singapore from outside threats then. On the basis of the treaty, Sultan Abu Bakar gave his support to the establishment of a British-controlled police force, namely Pasukan Setia Negeri ('Loyal State Force'), inside Johor. The Johore Constabulary Forces were then established by the Sultan to act as a backup for the British organised police and also to balance the authority given to them. It is later renamed to Timbalan Setia Negeri (TSN; 'Loyal State Deputy'). Initially, the TSN was formed with only 60 Johorean Malays and led by Syed Mohammed Nong Yahya, who was a police officer in the British Police Force. They were tasked to protect the Sultan as bodyguards, and also to work together with the British Police Forces to enforces the law. In the same time, the Sultan also employed 20 Sikh soldiers led by Major Daud Sulaiman as the Istana ('Palace') Guard tasked to protect the royal palaces' surroundings. Even upgraded into a military unit, the ATSN still entrusted with the roles of protecting public safety and enforcing the law. Their job at this time is similar to the Gendarmerie. In 1940 and 1941, Sultan Ibrahim sent a small number of officers to Dehra Dun, India to undergo military training aimed at improving the effectiveness of the Johor military. In 1942, after the Japanese occupation of Malaya, the JMF was disbanded and later been revived back in . Post-independence (1957-present) In 1992, during the 1993 constitutional crisis, the federal government under the leadership of Mahathir Mohamad proposed to disband JMF, due to its involvement in the Gomez incident and reports of alleged extortion on members of the public. On 4 July 1994, the government officially tabled the Johore Military Forces (Disbandment and Repeal) Bill 1994 to the Dewan Rakyat, the bill was however withdrawn two days later on 6 July. Despite the withdrawal, the government has on several occasions hinted JMF may still be disbanded in the future. During the crisis, Sultan Iskandar has sought legal advice from the former Lord President of the Supreme Court, Tun Salleh Abas, who opined that JMF is part of the Johor monarch's royal privileges and cannot be deprived without the Sultan's consent under the Federal Constitution. This was concurred by Neil Lawson, a Queen's Counsel that once involved in the drafting of Malaya's constitution in 1957. The plan to disband JMF did not materialise and JMF has continue to exist ever since. == Roles ==

Past roles The roles of the JMF have expanded during the history of the Force. Initially, it was established for Johor's safety and the king's protection. They later become a Gendarmerie unit tasked to protect the public safety in Johor. Some of them were assigned as palace Guards, guarding the palaces belonging to the Johor royal family. During World War I, the JMF was loaned to the British military. As the Johor State Forces, it played a significant role in the suppression and capturing the Indian soldiers of 5th Light Infantry who deserted in the "Singapore Mutiny" incident. They were tasked to assist the British as prison guards for the German POW camp (Tanglin Barracks) in Singapore, maintaining the security of government premises in Singapore, and patrol on Pulau Brani and Pulau Belakang Mati (now known as Sentosa Island). Besides that, they also tasked to guard the main road in Mersing, Kluang and Batu Pahat, and the British military airbase in Kluang (now become the HQ of Malaysian Army Aviation). Present-day roles The modern JMF's roles is a second line of defence right after the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). Their secondary roles are as a standby infantry unit for the MAF in case of emergency or armed conflict. During an emergency, the JMF will be put under the command of the MAF. == Ranks and positions ==

Commissioned officers The following are rank insignia for commissioned officers for the Johor Military Force. Major general and brigadier general The JMF has complicated ranks for its officers. It has the ranks of major general and brigadier general even though the overall strength of the JMF is more and less of a battalion. The history of the ranks begin in February 1941 when the strength of the JMF is soldiers and the Johor Volunteer Forces (JVF) is soldiers. Sultan Ibrahim as the commandant of both forces combined the forces and promoted the JMF's Second-in-Command of that time, Lieutenant Colonel Dato’ Haji Yahya into the rank of colonel. One month later, the Sultan assumed the rank of major-general. After World War II and the establishment of Malayan Union, the strength of JMF was reduced into 100 soldiers. With the Sultan's rank as Major General of the JMF made redundant, the Sultan was instead appointed an honorary major general in the British Army in 1947. Other ranks The following are rank insignia for other ranks for the Johor Military Force. Commandant of JMF There is two commandant post throughout the history of JMF. It is the Commandant Colonel of JMF and the Commandant of JMF. The Commandant Colonel of JMF is reserved only for the Sultan while the Commandant of JMF was the most professional non-royal appointments appointed by the Sultan to lead the force. The first Commandant of JMF is Captain C. N. C. Newland of the 2nd Battalion South Irish Division, Royal Artillery, who was appointed as an instructor and commandant in 1887. The position of Commandant of JMF was abolished in the 1920s and replaced with the position of Military Advisor (the most senior positions for European) and Second-in-Command (the most senior positions for locals). The Sultan assumed the post of Commandant Colonel cum Commanding officer of JMF. The Sultan's post of Commandant Colonel of JMF is later known as the Commandant of JMF. The Commanding officer of JMF holds the rank of major general. The current commanding officer of JMF is Major General Tunku Ismail Idris. Second-in-Command of JMF The Second-in-Command (2IC) of JMF is the most professional position in the JMF. The 2IC of JMF post is the highest positions that any JMF officers can achieve and holds the rank of major. The current 2IC of JMF is Major Ahmad Hamdan Libar, succeeding Captain Jalalludin Hamsan, the previous 2IC that retired on 1 Feb 2024. == Uniform ==

, then Tunku Mahkota of Johor, in the 1950s wearing No 1 Uniform with Topi Timbalan. The uniforms of the JMF have changed throughout its history. In the early years of its establishment, the JMF used the same uniform as the police force (khaki colour uniform) but with red songkoks instead of the black used by the regular policemen. Green Beret :It is used by the JMF paired with combat uniform (No 5 Uniform) and Rifle green service dress uniform (No 3 Uniform). The beret has been used by the JMF since the 1940s and originally in rifle green colour to symbolised the JMF's infantry status. The colour later changed to Sherwood green (also known as Commando green) in the early '80s to matching the commando-trained status of Tunku Ibrahim Ismail, who was at the time newly appointed as the Tunku Mahkota of Johor and in the same time as the Deputy Commanding Officer of JMF. Combat Uniform :In the era of digital camouflage combat uniforms, the JMF retains the first camouflage pattern used by the Malaysian Army. The colour scheme in brush stroke pattern camouflage was introduced to the Malaysian Army at the end of the 1970s. The JMF started using them in the early '80s. == Formations ==

The formations of the JMF changes a few times throughout its history. () Askar Timbalan Setia Negeri (1900s–present) 1900s–1905 • Infantry/Gendarmerie forces • Istana Guards • Artillery forces • ATSN Marching band 1905–1939 The highest strength of JMF is in 1922 with 645 personnel. • Johor Military Force • Infantry/Gendarmerie forces • Istana Guards • Artillery forces • ATSN Marching band 1939–1942 The highest strength of JMF by WWII is around 2000 personnel. • Johor Military Force • Infantry/Gendarmerie forces • Istana Guards • Artillery forces (Ceremonial) Post-WWII–1978 • Johor Military Force • Istana Guards 1979–2007 • Johor Military Force • Istana Guards • JMF Marching Band • Administrations unit Current formations The current JMF formations is divided into four units: Istana Guards :Also known as the Astana Guards (English pronunciation for Istana), it is the biggest unit in the JMF. It consists of eight infantry platoons. The guards will be on duty for 24 hours non stop. They are entrusted to guarding the four Istanas ('Palaces') that located inside Johor Bahru — the Istana Bukit Serene, Istana Besar, Istana Bukit Pelangi and Istana Pasir Pelangi. Beside the palaces, they are tasked to guarding the JMF's camps (in Taman Dahlia and Tampoi), military posts (in Straits Views, Skudai and Kolam Air), the marching band's building, royal's dock (in Stulang) and the royal yachts. During guard duty, the guards are equipped with M-16 fixed with a bayonet. Marching Band of the Royal Johor Military Force :Established in 1979, this military band is a ceremonial unit that always takes part in ceremonial occasions that involving the Sultan of Johor and his Royal Family. It is the heir and successor of the legacy of the Band of the ATSN ( in the early 1900s). It is affiliated to the bands of the Malaysian Army as its bandsmen are trained by conductors and directors of music of Army bands like the Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment. Administrations unit :JMF officers and soldiers that assigned to administration, office work and instructor positions. Elite force platoon :Established in 2008, the JMF Elite Unit is a special forces unit placed under the responsibility of the JMF with the mandate of providing security and close protection to the Royal Family of Johor, counter-terrorism and special reconnaissance in any incidents involving the state of Johor. This unit is the latest addition to the JMF and it only recruits its members from the JMF Istana Guards. == Selection and training ==

The JMF only recruits its members from Malaysians born in Johor, aged between 18 and 23 years old. There is a special criterion which is prioritised to those who know to read and write in Jawi script. This tradition continues since the JMF establishment in 1886. Some of the advanced training offered are: • Basic Parachute Course, at Special Warfare Training Centre (PULPAK) • Section/Platoon Leader Course, at Army Combat Training Centre (PULADA) • Advanced Firearms Course, at PULADA • Physical training instructor (PTI) Course, at PULADA • Army Musician training, at the Army School of Music (PUZIDA) (Bandsmen only) • Elite forces selection == Notable members ==

The JMF has produced some of the country's best known leaders and celebrities. • Dato' Sir Onn Jaafar – He was a politician, the 7th Chief Minister of Johor, and the founding father of UMNO, a political party. He was a civil servant before joining the JMF for two years. He held the rank of lieutenant in JMF and later rejoined the civil service. • Dato' – He was a civil servant and the 6th Chief Minister of Johor. He is the father of Ungku Abdul Aziz, a prominent economist in Malaysia, and the grandfather of Zeti Akhtar Aziz, a former Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia. He joined the JMF in as Officer cadet, and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in May 1912 at the same time assigned as the Aide-de-camp to the Sultan. He was promoted to major in August 1923, and was assigned to the Johor Volunteer Forces (JVF) before became the chief minister. • – A Malaysian comedian and celebrity. He was a part of the Series 1/98 intake. He held the rank of Private before quitting to become a comedian. • Mohamed Hamzah - Designer of the flag of Malaysia. ==Current development==

The JMF has continued to exist to date as one of Johor's defences, besides performing mainly ceremonial functions. The JMF Elite Forces (dubbed JMF Commando) was established on 7 July 2008 and has been providing security and close protection to the Royal Family of Johor since 2008. In April 2016, the Sultan suggested that so the JMF roles were widened to include as security forces for state government buildings. Sultan Ibrahim Ismail stressed the importance of good ties be maintained with clear line of roles drawn between JMF and Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) as the JMF was not formed and intended to be the country's first line of defence, thus the word ‘timbalan’ meaning deputy in its Malay name, indicating its task as the second line and roles in assisting MAF. • July 2012 – The JMF held a passing-out parade in traditional full dress uniform, to mark the end of training for its 61 recruits, for the first time since 1947. • 11 May 2016 – The JMF celebrated its 130th anniversary, new colours were bestowed and granted to the force by the decree of Sultan Ibrahim Ismail. The retirement and presentation of colours ceremony was carried out in Trooping the Colour parade held at the grounds of Istana Besar, Johor Bahru in the presence of the Sultan of Johor. == See also ==