The Royal Johor Military Force (Abbr.: JMF; ; “Johor State’s Loyal Deputy Army”) (Jawi: ) is an independent military force of the state of Johor and the private royal guard of Sultan of Johor in Malaysia. The JMF is Malaysia's oldest active military unit still in operation and the only military in the Federation that is maintained by a state. The force comes under the control of the Sultan. Its headquarters are located at Sultan Ibrahim Camp, Johor Bahru.
The retention of the army was one of the stipulations in 1946 which Johor made when it participated in the Federation of Malaya. The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of Malaysia states that the Malaysian federal government is solely responsible for foreign policy and military forces in the country. The JMF will be involved under the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) during any kind of emergency and armed conflict as an infantry unit.
History
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. Johor was the first and only Malay state (the Federated Malay States and the Unfederated Malay States) to have its modern military force. At the time there was no other Malay state with its own army. 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 enforce 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. One year after its establishment, the Sultan upgraded the forces into a military force and changed its name into Angkatan Timbalan Setia Negeri (ATSN; 'Loyal State Deputy Forces'). The Malays members were trained as infantry soldiers while the Sikhs as artillery gunners. An English army officer, Captain Newland was appointed as the Officer commanding (OC) of the unit. 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 1895, Sultan Ibrahim was appointed as JMF Colonel Commandant and the Force was further strengthened by the formation of the Johor Volunteer Forces (JVF). In the early 1900s, the name was changed to its current title — Askar Timbalan Setia Negeri (ATSN; 'Loyal State Deputy Troops'). The current English name, the Johor Military Forces (JMF), was introduced in 1905 after three of its main unit (Infantry, Artillery and the Istana Guard) were merged into one. The JMF personnel was increased to 576 in 1915: 394 infantry soldiers, 98 artillery soldiers and 84 other personnel. Sultan Ibrahim then appointed Lieutenant Colonel Tompkins and Sergeant Major Claymore to provide training and instruction. Sultan Ibrahim was the first ruler to bestow new Royal Military colours to the JMF during a Presentation of Colours ceremony when the force celebrated its 30th anniversary on 11 May 1916. 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 who was once involved in the drafting of Malaya's constitution in 1957. The plan to disband JMF did not materialise and the JMF has continued 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.
JMF is believed to be the oldest military unit in Malaysia with significant historical roles, especially in the suppression of the 1915 Singapore Mutiny and in both World Wars. 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.J.M. RobertsR.W.E. Harper, page 179 "Singapore Mutiny", 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 main roles are to protect Sultan of Johor, his royal family and properties. The JMF troops will be tasked with guard duty at four royal palaces in Johor Bahru. Beside the palaces, they are also tasked to guarding the JMF's camps, military posts, marching band's building, royal dock and royal yachts. They also tasked to become the Guard of honour during official ceremonies and foreign delegations visit to Johor.
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. Notes: Honorary only. Now only reserved for the Sultan Rank for the Commanding officer of JMF. Was reserved for the Sultan only, until 2017 Rank for the Deputy Commanding officer of JMF. Was reserved for the Crown prince only, until 2017 Rank for the Second-in-command of JMF. Most senior non-royal appointments In charge of company or leader of smaller specialised team such as marching band and special force In charge of Istana Guards platoons
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.
The present-day JMF's rank of major general is an honorary rank reserved only for the Sultan from 1947 until 2017, while the rank of brigadier general is reserved only for the Crown Prince. In March 2017, the Crown Prince or Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail was promoted to major general for his achievement in modernising the JMF.
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.
Commanding officer of JMF The Commanding officer (CO) of JMF is the most senior post in the JMF. This post is reserved for the Sultan of Johor's Royal Family to lead the JMF in administration and combat. Historically, this post belongs to the Sultan of Johor. 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 February 2024.
Uniform
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. Today, they are known for using:
Topi Timbalan
A black service cap with yellow trims and without a visor is used by the JMF troops during ceremonial duties. Usually matches together with the white JMF's service dress uniform (No 1 Uniform). It was a part of the JMF since the early 20th century for the other ranks troops while the officers used the normal version (see the image above of Sultan Ibrahim during the King's Birthday Parade in Singapore). It later become the unique identity of JMF and is nowadays used even by the Sultan as a part of His Majesty's attires.
Green Beret