The 21st Special Service Group (Abbr.: 21 SSG, Malay: 21 Gerup Gerak Khas), also known as the Grup Gerak Khas[note 1][1] and the 21st Special Forces Group, serves as the command for the Malaysian Army's special forces, the Gerak Khas. 21 SSG is a fighting formation within the Malaysian Army. This unit operate independently[note 2] under the Malaysian Army and directly report to the Chief of Army. The headquarters of the 21 SSG are located at Sri Iskandar Camp in Mersing, Johor.
Major General Ahmad Shuhaimi Mat Wajab has assumed command of the 21 SSG, succeeding Major General Mohd Adi Ridzwan on 10 May 2024.[2]
In 1969, the 13 May incident occurred, leading to the MSSU's deployment to Kuala Lumpur to safeguard the weapon depot within Mindef Camp (Malay: Kem Kementah). The MSSU also collaborated with the Royal Malaysia Police's Special Branch to apprehend leaders of gangs and triads who had played a role in the racial tensions behind the scenes during the incident. The crisis was short-lived due to the swift response of both units, prompting the leadership to decide against disbanding the MSSU.[4][6]
Established as the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment
The Malaysian Army established the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment (1 MSSR) in 1 August 1970 to succeed the MSSU. As a task force, MSSU members remained accountable to their original units. To address this, by 1973, MSSU members desiring to join the special forces unit had to resign from their original units and volunteer to enlist in the 1 MSSR.[5]
In the mid-1970s, responding to the swift expansion of the Malaysian Army's special forces, the 2nd Malaysian Special Service Regiment (2 MSSR) was formed.[7][5] Additionally, in 1975, the Special Warfare Training Centre (SWTC) was established to provide Gerak Khas with commando and special operations training. Given its seniority, members of the 1 MSSR were selected as instructors at SWTC.[6][8]
Separated from the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment
On 4 April 1980, the Malaysian Army separated the command of special forces from the 1 MSSR by establishing the Malaysian Special Service Command (Malay: Markas Gerak Khas) at Imphal Camp in Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, the 1 MSSR and 2 MSSR continued to function as combat units. Subsequently, on 1 April 1981, the Malaysian Army renamed the Malaysian Special Service Command to the Malaysian Special Service Group (MSSG). Concurrently, the 1 MSSR was renamed the 21st Para Commando Regiment, and the 2 MSSR became the 22nd Para Commando Regiment.[6][8]
Simultaneously, two new counter-revolutionary warfare and military intelligence units were formed: the 11th Special Service Regiment (11 SSR) and the 12th Special Service Regiment (12 SSR), with the purpose of providing specialised support to the Para Commando regiments. In December 1981, numerous support units were established to provide additional combat support to the combat units under MSSG. However, in 1983, the 12 SSR was disbanded, and the 11 SSR was no longer exclusively assigned to the 21st Para Commando Regiment.[6][8]
Renamed to the 21st Special Service Group
In 1985, the MSSG underwent a name change and became the 21st Special Service Group as part of the Malaysian Army's initiative to standardise unit names and formalise the unit as the 21st brigade within the army. This restructuring also involved renaming units under the command of the 21 SSG. The 21st Para Commando Regiment was re-designated as the 21st Commando Regiment, and the 22nd Para Commando Regiment became the 22nd Commando Regiment.[6][8]
As a nation that is part of the Commonwealth, the Malaysian military adheres to the traditions of the British Armed Forces. In the case of the 21st Special Service Group, they adopt the structure of the British Special Air Service, employing the term 'sabre squadron' instead of 'company', unlike other units within the Malaysian Army.[6]
The 11th Special Service Regiment stands as a top-tier special forces unit within the Malaysian Army and is one of the three combat units under the 21 SSG.
The 21st Commando Regiment (21 CDO) is one of the three combat units within the 21 SSG.
Specialising in traditional special forces roles, the 21 CDO distinguishes itself by emphasising airborne operations, in contrast to the 22nd Commando Regiment. Its capabilities encompass unconventional warfare, direct action, counter-insurgency and special reconnaissance.
The 22nd Commando Regiment is among the three combat units within the 21 SSG. Undergoing a restructuring in 2009, the 22 CDO now places a greater emphasis on amphibious operations compared to its previous specialisation in mountain warfare.
Like the 21 CDO, its responsibilities encompass unconventional warfare, direct action, counter-insurgency, and special reconnaissance. Additionally, it has taken on a new role in anti-piracy.[9]
Garrison Headquarters
Markas Garison
Mk Garison
Sri Iskandar Camp
The Mk Garrison is a company-sized unit that provides administrative support to assist the 21 SSG in its administration.
Formed in 2017, it is one of the newest units alongside the 21 Medic. Merging service support companies from the 21 SSG created the 21 Kump Log, resulting in three squadrons:
The 21 SSD is a special operations combat support unit tasked with providing communication support to all units under the command of the 21 SSG.
21st Medic Squadron
21 Skuadron Medik
21 Medic
Sri Iskandar Camp
The 21 Medic is a special operations support unit assigned to provide medical support to all units under the command of the 21 SSG. Alongside the 21st Logistics Group, established in 2017, these are the newest units of the 21 SSG.
Its duties include supplying special operations combat medics and delivering medical care to all special forces members and their families at army camps occupied by the 21 SSG.
21st Company, Royal Military Police Corps
21 Kompeni Polis Tentera Diraja
21 KPTD
Sri Iskandar Camp
The 21 KPTD is a military police unit responsible for law enforcement within the 21 SSG and Sri Iskandar Camp.
This unit manages military intelligence operations, overseeing the careful dissemination of information within the 21 SSG to avoid leaks.
Family welfare support
The 21 SSG's BAKAT manages family welfare support for the 21st Special Service Group. The spouse of the Commander of 21 SSG leads the organisation, with the commander serving as its patron.
Members who have successfully completed the Basic Commando Course have the option to wear their unit's beret backing (Malaysian renditions of the U.S. military beret flash) to distinguish themselves from non-commando-trained members.[6] As of 2023, only those who have passed the Malaysian Special Forces Selection are allowed to don the green beret. Other members of the 21 SSG who have not yet passed the selection process continue to wear their original unit berets.[11]
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 21st Special Service Group. Worn from the 1980s to the present.
Number 5 uniform (Combat uniform)
The insignia, alternatively referred to as a tactical formation patch (Malay: Lencana formasi taktikal), is affixed to the combat uniform and bears olive and black colours. The patch prominently showcases a roaring tiger's head with a commando dagger positioned at the centre.
Number 2 uniform (Bush jacket)
The personnel of the 21 SSG don their command insignia on the left shoulder sleeve of their number 2 uniform. The 21 SSG shoulder sleeve insignia closely resembles the beret backing but incorporates a distinct black outline. This current design draws inspiration from the insignia of the Malaysian Special Service Unit, featuring a striking depiction of a roaring tiger's head with a commando dagger at the centre. The background is a fusion of jungle green and Caribbean blue, where jungle green signifies commando specialities and serves as a representation of the colour of Islam, while Caribbean blue pays homage to the founder, 40 Commando Royal Marines.[12]
Stable belt
Members of the 21 SSG don the number 3 uniform (work dress) paired with a green and light blue stable belt.
Commanders
Since the establishment of the Malaysian Special Service Unit in 1965, 22 individuals have served as the Commander of Gerak Khas, also known as the Panglima Gerak Khas (lit.'Commander of Special Forces') in Malay. Out of these 22 individuals, 17 have held the position of the Commander of the 21st Special Service Group (Malay: Panglima 21 Gerup Gerak Khas), which was created after 1981.[13]
Commander of the 21st Special Service Group
The position begins after the Malaysian Special Service Command was renamed to the Malaysian Special Service Group on 1 April 1981.[14]
While in service, he met a tragic end in a helicopter crash on 8 December 1989. At the time, he held the rank of Brigadier General and served as the Commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade
4
Mohd RamliBrigadier General Dato’ Mohd Ramli Ismail
^This unit is also known in Bahasa Indonesian spelling as "Grup Gerak Khas", where "group" translates to "Grup" in Indonesian. The official Malay spelling is "Gerup".
^The Malaysian Special Service Unit (MSSU) was a temporary special operations task force, not a permanent unit within the Malaysian Armed Forces. Established in 1965 at Majidee Camp, Johor, the MSSU was later replaced by a permanent unit, the 1st Special Service Regiment, founded in 1970 at Sungai Udang Camp, Malacca.
^Several older modern special forces units, such as the Malayan Scouts, were established in the region now known as Malaysia. However, the British created these units in Malaysia, while post-independence Malaya formed the Malayan Special Forces.
^The 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment also serves as the Malaysian Army's special operations command at the time.
^The British Army Jungle Warfare Training School was located in Johor at the time.
^Non-commando qualified Royal Marines wear a dark blue beret, whereas non-commando qualified British Army soldiers wear their original unit headdress.
^Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army Special Forces who are not Special Forces-qualified wear a maroon beret. This is because the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) is also designated as an airborne unit.
^ abcAhmad Ridzuan Wan Chik (2011). Rejimen Gerak Khas: Pasukan Khusus Tentera Darat Malaysia (in Malay). Kuala Lumpur: Utusan Publications. ISBN978-9-67612-522-4.
^Ainur Aisyah Yahaya (2017-07-21). "Enam Dekad KOD Bersama TD". Berita Tentera Darat Malaysia (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
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