JMF Elite Forces
Johor Military Elite Forces | |
---|---|
Active | 7 July 2008 - present |
Country | Malaysia |
Branch | Royal Johor Military Force |
Type | Special Operations |
Role | Counter-Terrorism and Close protection |
Size | 5000 soldiers |
Garrison/HQ | Istana Besar, Johor Bahru |
Motto(s) |
Pantas, Berani, Setia! (English: Fast, Brave and Loyalty) |
Commanders | |
Current commander | DYAM Tunku Ismail Idris |
Sultan of Johor | Sultan Ibrahim Ismail |
The Johor Military Elite Forces is a special forces unit placed under the responsibility of the Royal Johor Military Force with the mandate of providing security and protection to the Royal Family of Johor, counter-terrorism and special reconnaissance in any incidents involving the state of Johor.
History
The establishment of JMF commando unit is on 7 July 2008, by the idea from DYAM Tunku Ismail Idris, Prince of the Sultan Ibrahim Ismail of Johor who at that time he is the JMF 2nd Staff Operations Officer and Training. He felt the need for a specific doctrine in JMF organisations to establish a special forces capable of performing certain tasks in an efficient and agiles. The establishment is also able to provide the best personal security protection to the Johor Royal family in any event at some time.
To realise the objective, his own with 20 senior officers and members who passed the JMF have been trained in the selection of counter-terrorism courses Grup Gerak Khas special forces in three months at Fort Iskandar, Mersing, Johor. The courses was conducted with technical assistance and expertise provided by the Yankee Alpha Squadron include the basic knowledge and specific skills appropriate to their duties as a special close protections to the Sultan of Johor Royal family.
Organisation
The JMF Elite Forces establishment has several objectives that have been targeted and among them is identifying the best member of the JMF to participate in special teams and making them competent to perform specific tasks and develop self-esteem and level of JMF military discipline either at duty or outside duty. The establishment it’s also seeks to make a friendly community of other Malaysian special forces to share an experiences and knowledge that will indirectly enhance existing professionalism. DYAM Tunku Ismail, Prince of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor has a vision to realise the establishment of the Elite Forces is based JMF goals he outlined. One of them is making this team as a team that is able to perform the duties and responsibilities of the agile and effective, and the establishment of this as a springboard for the modernisation of the existing JMF service.
Duties
JMF Elite Forces are mandated to provide close protection duties for the following people:-
- Sultan of Johor, former and current
- Sultanah of Johor, former and current
- Prince of Johor and Princess of Johor
- Other Royal families of Johor
- Minister of Johor
- Foreign VIPs such as heads of states, ambassadors, etc.
Training
DYAM Tunku Ismail Idris of Johor with two senior officers and 18 other ranks members have undergone basic training and expertise of the Grup Gerak Khas for three months include: -
- Special infiltration and reconnaissance course
- Sniper course
- Close Quarters Combat - CQC
- Combat diving
- Counter-terrorism
- Counter-sniper tactics
- Marksmanship
- Sabotage
- Combat Search and Rescue
- Fighting In Built-Up Areas - FIBUA
- Hostage Rescue
- Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain - MOUT
- Close protection
- Special demolitions
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal - EOD
DYAM Tunku Ismail himself was a trained as an expert sniper rifle with excellent handling.
Weapons and equipment
Weapons
- Austria: Glock 17
- Switzerland: SIG Sauer P226
- United States: Remington 870
- Switzerland: Brügger & Thomet MP9
- Germany: Heckler & Koch MP5
- United States: Colt M16A4
- Switzerland: SIG SG 553 SOW
- United Kingdom: Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
Equipment
- SPECTRA helmet
- Blackhawk Tactical Vest Type IV
- Nomex Battle Dress Uniform
- Magnum Stealth II tactical boots
The duties and responsibilities
The JMF Elite Forces Commando has a different scope of duties to JMF current unit. Their duties is basically associated with a number of things and includes: -
- Keeping the security and protection of the Johor royal family, especially the Sultan of Johor, His Sultanah Johor, DYAM Prince of Johor and the Johor royal family who received the title.
- To act as an escort VIPs to dignitaries and VIP guests, especially among the Royal Johor.
- Implementation of privacy and confidentiality of operations that are necessary from time to time.
- Being tactical deploy units that can respond at any time.
- To act as a unit furtherance to the JMF.
- Being an observer in the work of special intelligence and reconnaissance.
- Combating terrorist who commits violence in the area of responsibility and hostage rescue movement can be made if necessary.
Controversies
Hostility During Kelantan vs Johor Match
The media (including social media) wasted no time in sensationalising the hostility between the two clubs. As most had anticipated, there was a big fuss when the two teams (and fans) clashed for the first time this season in Kota Bharu a couple of weeks ago which ended in a 1-1 draw. There were alleged incidents of bottle-throwing between the fans during the match and, adding to that, a war of words has also erupted between the Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) and Johor Football Association (PBNJ).
It started with the accusation by Darul Takzim's management accused KAFA of slacking in the security control department during the game. This, it claimed, resulted in several incidents where objects were thrown at the visiting fans by Kelantan supporters. In response, KAFA alleged Darul Takzim of going overboard with their security by bringing along armed commandos from the Johor Military Forces (JMF) with the team for the match.
Tunku Ismail denied the accusation by saying that the commandos on duty were Malaysian commandos from the 21st Gerak Khas Regiment based in Mersing.
"They are not from the JMF and they don't have to be there. If at all any JMF personnel was at the stadium, he was there as a football fan and not in uniform," said Tunku Ismail.
The Crown Prince of Johor also said the commandos from Mersing were there because it is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the commandos to be ready in case the Sultan of Johor wanted to be at the stadium to watch the match.
"They (the commandos) have nothing to do with the Johor FA. The Kelantan FA are simply diverting the attention to cover up their shortcomings in handling the high profile match.
"Our fans were hit by bottles and stones thrown at them by the Kelantan fans. A woman and child were hit by a bottle and a piece of wood. The Kelantan fans even confiscated banners from Johor fans and tore it.
"For security reasons, Johor fans were told to gather at the center of the stadium field. They were only able to leave through the back gates of the stadium under darkness after the lights at the stadium were switched off.
"It is with deep regret to know that the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan was a victim when one of the bottles thrown by a Kelantan fan hit him… that is Kelantan fans for you," added the PBNJ president.
Johor FA have also filed an official complaint with the FA of Malaysia (FAM) on the "rough treatment" Johor fans received during the high profile match.
Tunku Ismail said the complaint letter was sent to the FAM a day after the match.[1]
References
- ↑ Syed, Zahar "Politics, Football And The Growing Rivalry Between Kelantan And Johor", Kuala Lumpur, 26 January 2013. Retrieved on 4 February 2013