Royal Military College (Malaysia)

Royal Military College (Malay: Maktab Tentera DiRaja; abbreviated RMC) is an all-boys military school established to train young Malaysians for service in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). It is sometimes dubbed "the Malaya's Sandhurst". On 9 December 1966, in a ceremony held at the college, HM Ismail Nasiruddin of Terengganu, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, conferred the "Royal" (Malay: DiRaja) title to the FMC. Hence since 1966, the former Federation Military College came to be known as the Royal Military College.
A current student of RMC is known as a Present Putera, while a graduate of the institution is known as an Old Putera or "OP" in short. The term Putera, literally meaning prince in Malay, is attributed to the RMC's royal status. As of 3 July 2015 (in conjunction with its anniversary), RMC has received authorisation to become an IB World School and implement the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Pro (IBDP).
The RMC campus covers an area of 1,200 acres (4.9 km) near the town of Sungai Besi (about 10 miles (16 km) from Kuala Lumpur) with a view of the Mines Resort City and the 1998 Commonwealth Games Bukit Jalil Stadium. RMC shares its grounds with the National Defence University of Malaysia.
The Charter of the Royal Military College states that the Royal Military College was established with the objective of preparing young Malaysians to become Officers in the Malaysian Armed Forces, hold office in the higher divisions of public service and become leaders in the professional, commercial and industrial life of the country.
The motto of the college is "Serve to Lead" or Berkhidmat Memimpin.
Prior to 1952, there had been what was called the "Training Depot of the Malay Regiment" in Port Dickson. Here courses were held in signals, tactics and military administration. The Depot also provide educational facilities to bring selected members of the Regiment up to the necessary academic standard for acceptance at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, for higher military training, with a view to qualifying for commissioned rank.
On 3 July 1952, Mr. M.E.B. David, the Secretary of Defence, in the Federal Legislative Council Meeting, announced the decision to expand the Malay Regiment Training Depot. The expansion was to result in the formation of The Malay Regiment Training Center, that was to constitute two additional sections: The Pre-Officer Cadet Training Unit (Pre-OCTU) and an inter-racial Boys Company.
The Boys Company was to be part of the Malayan Army, serving the Malay Regiment and the Federation Regiment. The function of the Boys Company was to provide education to sons of serving officers and other ranks in the Malay Regiment, leading to the School Certificate level, coupled with the rudiments of military training.
The first intake of 74 Boys into the Boys Company were recruited in August 1952, from a total of 100 applicants. The ages of the Boys ranged between 14 and 15 years. Their educational qualification, according to a 1952 newspaper bulletin, was to be the equivalent of Standard 4 (English-medium). In addition to these academic requirements those who were shortlisted had to undergo various aptitude tests too.
The task of looking after the academic aspects in the Boys Wing was entrusted to a Director of Studies (DOS) – a civilian Senior Education Officer. He was responsible to the Commandant for carrying out the scholastic policy drawn by the Board of Governors of the college and thus adviser to the Commandant on general educational policies. The DOS had two Senior-Assistants each responsible for the teaching of a group of subjects – called the Head of Science and Mathematics (HOS) and Head of Arts (HOA).
For the purpose of military training, and the co-ordination of domestics military administration required within the Boys Wing, an Officer-in-Charge (O.C.) (later to be known as Chief Instructor - CI) was posted. He was responsible to the Director of Studies (DOS) and thus ultimately to the Commandant.
In September 1954, the Commemoration Foundation Day was celebrated marking the 2nd anniversary of the Boys Company. Present to witness the Commemoration Day Parade were the High Commissioner, Sir Donald MacGillivray, His Highness, the Sultan of Selangor, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, the Federation's Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and a large number of dignitaries.
By September 1957, the Boys Company of the Malay Regiment had become officially part of independent Malaya and had already graduated a number of young boys preparing for service in the Army, the private sector and public service.
In 1958, reports of a proposed $20 million cantonment, covering an area of 1,200 acres (4.9 km), to be located near Sungai Besi (about 10 miles (16 km) from Kuala Lumpur) began appearing in local press. The entire project, expected to be completed by 1963, was financed by the British Government under the United Kingdom Grants-in-aid Funds. An area of 200 acres (0.81 km) was allocated for the new Federal Military College, made on the basis of the Boys Company, Royal Malay Regiment.
The site reserved for the college consisted of scenic surroundings. The new home of the FMC was situated on a hill overlooking a disused mining pool. The college buildings were to be modelled on the lines of some of the best military academies overseas such as West Point in the United States and Royal Military College of Canada. They were to consist of an assembly hall, dormitories, classrooms, a gymnasium, laboratories, some 140 married-quarters for all ranks and civilians employees and a sports complex area with playing grounds and facilities for student athletes.
On 20 June 1961, the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Putra of Perlis, as Supreme Commander of the Malayan Armed Forces, officially opened the new complex. In acknowledgement of the immense debt of which the FMC owed the High Commissioner Field Marshal Tun Sir Gerald Templer, the Assembly Hall was named Tun Templer Hall (Dewan Tun Templer).
On 9 December 1966, in a ceremony held at the college, HM Ismail Nasiruddin of Terengganu, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, conferred the "Royal" title to the FMC. This was a great honour for the college for no other educational institution in the history of this nation has the "Royal" title bestowed upon it. Hence since 1966, the former Federation Military College came to be known as the Royal Military College of Malaysia.
On 3 June 1981, the Royal Military College was granted King's and Regimental's Colours from His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Haji Ahmad Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar, in a historic Presentation of Colours ceremony at the Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. This historic ceremony was also witnessed by Her Majesty the Raja Permaisuri Agong, the Deputy Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.
On 20 June 2000, the Old Putra Association (OPA) opened its own building at Subang Jaya, opened by Minister of Transport, Ling Liong Sik.
The college anthem is entitled Berkhidmat Memimpin (Serve to Lead) which refers to the college motto. The college song is sung during all assemblies.
The college has won numerous awards and accolades at all levels of competition and at various sports, most significantly in rugby and hockey. The college also fields a formidable English Debate team that has won the prestigious Prime Minister's Trophy a record number of times, only to be equalled by its arch-rival on the debating stage, the Tunku Kurshiah College. The college also organises an annual multi-game carnival with its other arch-rival, the Malay College Kuala Kangsar. Both colleges take turns to host the competition.
The Sportsman's Prayer is inscribed on a bronze plaque, on a white rock that sits by the rugby field in the college compound.
The Sportsman's Prayer is traditionally recited before a sporting competition by the members of a team. The prayer is as follows:
Within the college, each Putera belongs to one of eight Companies. They are:
The eight companies compete with each other for four trophies:
The winners of the Piala Ali are awarded the Director of Studies' (DOS) collar dots and the Puteras of that company shall be entitled to wear them throughout the following year, making them the DOS Company. Concurrently, Puteras from all companies who managed to score a CGPA of 3.50 and 3.00 and above are awarded individual Gold and Silver pins respectively.
Puteras who had shown active co-curricular participation are entitled the Half Colours title, whereas Puteras who are active in multiple co-curricular activities are entitled the Full Colours title. The highest individual co-curricular honour is the College Blues title, whish is presented to any Putera who had proven distinct excellence only in continental and international level co-curriculum. The last recipients of the College Blues was from 2020. Making it the rarest and most sought after award in the college's history. Each title is awarded along with a pin badge to be worn on the recipients No. 3 Uniform and College Green Blazer. In addition, recipients of the College Blues also receive a unique Blue Blazer, tailored specifically for them as a symbol of distinct excellence.
The overall winner is presented the Commandant's Trophy, which is awarded to the winning company at the Annual Passing-out Parade, usually inspected by the defence minister of Malaysia. The victorious company will hold the title of Commandant Company, and all the Puteras of that company shall be entitled to wear a royal yellow lanyard cord on their right shoulder during the Passing-out Parade and for the rest of the academic year.
All Companies have four senior rankholders and five junior rankholders.
Every Company is led by one Senior Under Officer (SUO) and assisted by three Junior Under Officers (JUOs), who are fourth year Puteras appointed by the college administration. The terms SUO and JUO are a throwback to the traditions of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, where such titles are still in use today for senior rankholders. Fourth year Puteras who are not rankholders are entitled to be referred to as Senior Puteras (SP).
The SUO is responsible for all aspects of the Puteras under his command, and is the highest ranking Putera in the company. The three JUOs, covering the General, Administration and Quartering billets of the company, are equal in terms of rank and assist the SUO in the running of the company on a day-to-day basis. All Under Officers are entitled to a private bunk each, and SUO's are also entitled to have their meals at the High Table in the Mess Hall. SUO's also carry swagger stick and don Sam Browne belt during official parade (except Passing Out Parade).
SUO's lead their company at all parades and are the main liaisons between the military administration and the Puteras under his care. SUOs and JUOs are also subject to the authority of the company's commissioned officers and instructors, and play a role in the selection of junior rankholders.
Rank is denoted by slip-on shoulder epaulettes and is worn on all uniforms except the Mosque Order (traditional Malay dress) and the Planters' Order (formal blazer and College tie dress). Prior to 1997, these slip-on epaulettes were only worn by the senior and junior rankholders, and its use was accompanied by a metallic shoulder title, bearing the name Maktab Tentera Diraja underneath the rank insignia on the epaulette.
In 1997, this rank insignia structure was amended to bring it in line with the Officer Cadet rank insignia in use at the Army College (KTD, Kolej Tentera Darat) and the then-newly established Malaysian Armed Forces Academy (ATMA, Akademi Angkatan Tentera Malaysia). The main difference between an Officer Cadet rank insignia and the Putera rank insignia is the color of the insignia; the bars, knots and chevrons on an Officer Cadet rank are white in color, while the same on a Putera rank is royal yellow in color.
An SUO's rank insignia consists of four horizontal bars (one bar for each year of study at the college) with an Austrian knot and chevron pointing upwards underneath the knot, on a dark green epaulette.
A JUO's rank insignia is identical to the SUO's, except that there is no chevron underneath the Austrian knot.
The letters MTD (acronym of the college's Malay name, Maktab Tentera Diraja) are also emblazoned in royal yellow at the bottom edge of the epaulette for both ranks.
Junior rankholders on the other hand are understudies for the senior rankholder posts and are invested with similar authority with senior rankholders. Nevertheless, all actions of junior rankholders are subject to review by the senior rankholders and the college administration.
Putera Sergeants (P/SGT) are normally appointed from the third year Puteras in the first quarter of the academic year, and they are further promoted to Acting Senior Under Officer (A/SUO) and Acting Junior Under Officer (A/JUO) ranks by the third quarter of the academic year to allow for the gradual takeover of the company from the graduating seniors.
A P/SGT's rank insignia consists of three horizontal bars and three chevrons pointing downwards. An A/SUO's rank insignia consists of three horizontal bars and a bright red Austrian knot and chevron pointing upwards underneath the knot. An A/JUO's rank insignia is identical to the A/SUO's, except that there is no chevron underneath the Austrian knot. The letters MTD (acronym of the college's Malay name, Maktab Tentera Diraja) are in royal yellow at the bottom edge of the epaulette for all three ranks.
P/SGTs, A/SUOs and A/JUOs are not entitled to any privileges accorded to the senior rankholders.
As of 2009, new epaulettes were introduced for the Puteras following the changes in first year intakes from Form 2 to Form 4. The first year Puteras (or New boys) initially wears a pair of epaulettes having only one yellow horizontal bar above the MTD acronym. Later on, some of the Puteras who are promoted to A.P/SGT wears a pair of epaulettes consisting one red horizontal bar above the MTD acronym and three red chevrons pointing downwards. The A.P/SGT are the Puteras that will take up the senior ranks of the Company in the following year.
The Puteras who are promoted to SUOs and JUOs will be given the honour of becoming the bearers of the ceremonial sword during their final year's graduation Passing Out Parade, in contrast to those promoted to P/SGTs who bears the standard march rifles along with other graduating Puteras.
As of 2014, two new ranks were formed; Putera Commander (P/CO) and Putera Regimental Sergeant Major (P/RSM). After the selection of rank holders at the beginning of each year, they will be given a 3-month probationary period. In the month of April, one SUO will be promoted to P/CO and one P/SGT will be promoted to P/RSM. These ranks remained until the year 2017 and was eventually phased out.
As of 2020, one SP will be promoted to the rank of President of the Mess Committee (PMC). The newly promoted PMC will bear and wear the JUO rank and epaulette, but with the letters "PMC" stitched underneath the Austrian knot. The PMC has right of veto over the Putera's Mess, and any changes or events must have his approval. Every conduct of the Puteras within the Mess is overseen and supervised by the PMC. Therefore, entitling him the highest seat among the other SUOs at the High Table in the Mess Hall. The inaugural holder of this rank was JUO Haziq Fikri bin Zulkifli (initially SP) from Echo company, class of 2020.
During every Passing Out Parade in which the final year Puteras graduate, the whole battalion will sing the Auld Lang Syne as the seniors phase out of the Parade Square. The song is synonymous worldwide with farewells and regarded as the closing anthem of the calendar year.
Normally, after their Passing Out Parade, OPs will be awarded their class ring (or also known as OP ring) as a sign that they have graduated from the college and to commemorate their time in the college. The tradition was influenced by the similar tradition practised by Royal Military Academy Sandhurst which was introduced by British administrators during the college's early days. The rings are distributed along with the Putera's basic military training completion certificate.
Furthermore, OPs wear their college's green tie every Wednesday. This makes it easier for OPs to recognize each other, regardless of generations, race and religion. The green tie is widely regarded as "earned, not bought". Thus, also making it a status symbol for the wearer.
After graduation, OPs from every intake are invited to participate in the OP-PP Games that are held annually and hosted at the past and present RMC grounds. The event is contested by two teams consisting of Old Puteras, against Present Puteras. The games often feature a variety of team sports such as rugby, football and basketball. This event helps bring the alumnus closer together and strengthen the networking within the OPA.
The alumni association of the RMC is known as the Old Putera Association or OPA.
Some alumni include: