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New Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Khaled: Bee farming, oyster mushroom planting projects a boon for army families
GEORGE TOWN: A project under the Madani Economy initiative, implemented in military camps nationwide with an allocation of RM10 million, is proving successful in generating additional income for the families of military personnel. It also serves a dual purpose by supporting downstream industry development and food security efforts. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the readiness of the Malaysian Armed Forces does not solely depend on assets and troop training, but also took into account the wellbeing of their families, who are the backbone of the defence community's stability in the country. He cited for example how stingless bee farming and oyster mushroom cultivation projects by the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (2 RAMD) community at the Sungai Ara Camp were helping the families of army personnel productively spend their time — especially since some of the personnel are expected to be deployed on a mission to Lebanon next year. "When we talk about readiness, it is not just about assets, but also about the personnel and their families. We appreciate the contributions and sacrifices of the armed forces and understand that the wellbeing of their families is equally important. "We have been thinking about how to improve the wellbeing of these families. With strategic partners from the Ministry of Higher Education, we have identified certain knowledge areas that can be transferred through the Madani Economy initiative to families within the camps," he said during a working visit to the Sungai Ara Camp here today. Present were the Defence Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Army Chief General Tan Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, Western Field Commander Lieutenant General Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman and Second Division Commander Major General Datuk Fazal Abdul Rahman. Khaled said the programme, which incorporates smart agriculture elements and technical training, also provided entrepreneurial education to members of the Armed Forces Family Welfare Association (BAKAT) 2 RAMD. The stingless bee honey project is already being marketed, while the oyster mushroom produce is currently in discussions to be marketed through the Malaysian Armed Forces Trading Corporation (Pernama). "Even the spent mushroom blocks can be used as organic fertiliser, making this project not only sustainable but also highly scalable due to the encouraging response we have received. "For the mushroom project, for instance, 20 participants have joined through the Mushroom Activity Centre, and this number is expected to grow if demand increases. If we have the space and facilities, we are ready to expand participation. "This is just the beginning to spark interest and prove that the project can bring real benefits and returns to participants," he added. He said that the stingless bee project in the camp used systematic beekeeping via "log hives" and biotechnology-based rearing techniques developed in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Meanwhile, the oyster mushroom farming employed enclosed mushroom houses with controlled temperature and humidity, ensuring high-quality and consistent yields, supported by Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP). Earlier, Khaled also reviewed operational readiness, troop welfare, and evaluated the progress of community development initiatives in the military. He also met with around 300 residents of the Sungai Ara Camp and handed over RM500 in welfare aid to 15 chronic patients from among military personnel and their families stationed in the area.
Malay Mail
14-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Khaled Nordin: Madani Economy projects in army camps help boost family income, support food security
GEORGE TOWN, July 14 — The Madani Economy initiatives implemented in military camps nationwide have successfully generated additional income for the families of armed forces personnel while contributing to the development of downstream industries, including food security. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the projects, supported through a RM10 million allocation and carried out in collaboration with the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE), also reflect the government's efforts to enhance the economy and promote sustainability within the defence community. Citing the stingless bee honey and oyster mushroom entrepreneurship projects undertaken by the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (2 RAMD) community at Sungai Ara Camp in Bayan Lepas, he said these ventures also help occupy the time of family members, particularly as the camp's personnel are scheduled for a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, next year. 'When we talk about preparedness, we look not only at assets but also at our personnel and their families. We value the contributions and sacrifices of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and understand that the well-being of personnel includes the welfare of their families. 'With support from strategic partners at MOHE, we have identified valuable knowledge and skills that can be transferred to the families within military camps,' he told reporters after a working visit to Sungai Ara Camp today. Mohamed Khaled also expressed appreciation to the military families involved in the stingless bee honey and oyster mushroom projects at the camp, which incorporate elements of smart agriculture, technical training and entrepreneurship opportunities for members of the 2 RAMD BAKAT (the military families' welfare association), in line with the Kem Madani aspiration. The stingless bee honey project is a collaboration between 2 RAMD and Universiti Sains Malaysia, focusing on systematic farming using log hives and biotechnology-based methods. Meanwhile, the oyster mushroom cultivation project, carried out in partnership with Universiti Malaysia Perlis, utilises a closed-system mushroom house with temperature and humidity controls, enabling consistent and high-quality yields. Earlier, Mohamed Khaled reviewed the camp's operational readiness and personnel welfare while assessing the progress of community development initiatives. He also interacted with 300 Sungai Ara Camp residents and presented RM500 in welfare aid to 15 individuals with chronic illnesses, comprising military personnel and their family members stationed in the area. Also present were Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Army Chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, Army Western Field Commander Lt Gen Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman, and 2nd Infantry Division Commander Maj Gen Datuk Fazal Abdul Rahman. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
03-07-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
New book celebrates 90 years of the valiant Royal Malay Regiment
Men of the 1st Experimental Company Malay Regiment, with Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel G.M Bruce on March 3 1937. (Creative Commons pic) KUALA LUMPUR : It started with a simple question in the 1930s. The British colonial government, concerned about the security of their territory in Malaya, wondered: 'Were the Malays capable of forming an effective modern fighting force?' An experiment was proposed. In 1933, a group of 25 Malay recruits were assigned to train with British officers in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan as part of the 1st Experimental Company. They would later form the Malay Regiment. This valiant group of dedicated men surpassed all the expectations of their superiors, and rose to become the country's most iconic Malaysian military unit. Known today as the Royal Malay Regiment, this intrepid fighting force has served the country in many of its most turbulent periods, including the first Malayan Emergency (1948-1960); the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation (1962-1966); the 2nd Malaysian Insurgency (1968-1989); and the Sarawak Communist Insurgency (1962-1990). This year marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Malay Regiment, and a new book has been published to mark this milestone. 'The Malay Experiment: The Colonial Origins and Homegrown Heroism of the Malay Regiment' is a comprehensive account of the origins of this military unit, and details the bravery, loyalty and sacrifices of its men. Author Stuart Lloyd at a book signing. (Stuart Lloyd pic) Author Stuart Lloyd said his latest work is not a 'war book' but one about human stories. 'All my books are about the human spirit. About the people, good or bad, at the heart of the stories. I don't like talking so much about statistics, or numbers of troops in a battle. I prefer writing whether this person was crapping his pants as the enemies descended,' Lloyd told FMT Lifestyle with a laugh. Lloyd, a sixth-generation Southern African, was born in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) before emigrating to South Africa, then Australia. He has lived in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Thailand for nearly 25 years. The author has conducted special-interest military history tours through Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and has written 21 non-fiction books which have topped best-seller charts in three countries. 'The Malay Experiment', Lloyd's fifth military history book, is a slim, 94-page book that will intrigue and captivate both military enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Published by CatMatDog Storytelling, it features a foreword by Brigadier General Mohamed Arshad Raji (Retired), a distinguished member of the Regiment. The cover of 'The Malay Experiment: The Colonial Origins and Homegrown Heroism of the Malay Regiment'. (CatMatDog Storytelling pic) The book's pages are populated with colourful personalities. The Malay Regiment's commanding officer, Captain George McIllree Stanton Bruce, almost feels like a character from a Hollywood blockbuster: a rugged World War hero with a jagged scar on his face. Bruce, however, proves adept at winning over his recruits: not only does he speak Malay, he also designs the regiment's iconic insignia, uniform and 'Taat dan setia' (faithful and true) motto. 'There could have been a clash of cultures. But ultimately, the story resolves itself through cultural sensitivity, which I think led to the eventual success of the regiment,' said Lloyd. 'Their uniform was localised, integrating part of the sarong, and colours significant to the Malays. These really showed the recruits this was something they could call their own, that their unit was not just a British transplant.' One of the most relatable parts of the book are details of Bruce's successful methods of attracting early recruits: 'Good soldiers need good food,' he (Bruce) reflected. 'I think more recruits were obtained by the words 'Makan ada baik' (our food is good) than by 'Ta'at setia''. Other fascinating characters making appearances are Raja Lope, the adopted son of a Sultan who rises from private to brigadier, and Lt Adnan Saidi, who valiantly sacrificed his life fighting Japanese invaders at the battle of Pasir Panjang. The crest of the Malay Regiment. ( pic) The book's engaging narrative takes readers from the fall of Singapore to the climactic battle of Bukit Chandu and the glorious parades of Merdeka. It's clear that the story of the Malay Regiment is not over yet: it will be interesting to see how it continues to serve the nation into the future. Lloyd said the story of the Malay Regiment developed in parallel with the story of Malaysia, with both the country and military unit growing in strength and confidence over the years. 'I think the Malay Regiment is a success story Malaysians can all take pride in. I will make the point that they outperformed many British and Australian regiments in Singapore at the time,' the author concluded. 'It's a moving account of how a culture, previously untested in warfare, managed to stand up and show the world what they could do.' 'The Malay Experiment' is available at selected bookstores nationwide. Also visit Stuart Lloyd's website.
The Star
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov arrives in Malaysia for two-day official visit
SEPANG: Kyrgyz Republic President Sadyr Zhaparov has arrived in Malaysia for a two-day official visit. The special aircraft carrying Zhaparov and his delegation landed at the Bunga Raya Complex of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 6.45pm on Tuesday (June 24), where they were welcomed by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. Zhaparov then inspected a guard of honour consisting of 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (Ceremonial). According to Wisma Putra, the visit marks the President's maiden visit to Malaysia since assuming office in January 2021. It was held to reciprocate the official visit made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to the Kyrgyz Republic in May 2024. On Wednesday (June 25), Zhaparov will be accorded an official welcome at Perdana Putra, followed by a bilateral meeting with Anwar. Both leaders are expected to deliberate on strengthening bilateral cooperation, including trade and investment, renewable energy and green energy, halal industry, agricommodity, tourism, education as well as capacity-building assistance through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). They will then witness the exchange of several memoranda of understanding (MOU) in the field of tourism, digital transformation and cybersecurity, higher education, health, trade promotion, economic cooperation as well as scientific and research cooperation, and the exchange of notes in the fields of youth and training for diplomats, as well as Letter of Intent on legal cooperation. Anwar will also host an official luncheon at the Seri Perdana Complex in honour of the visiting president and his delegation. Zhaparov is also slated to undertake a brief tour of the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur. In 2024, the Kyrgyz Republic was Malaysia's fourth-largest trading partner among the Central Asian countries, with total bilateral trade of RM40mil (US$8.74mil). Malaysia's primary exports to the Kyrgyz Republic include electrical and electronic products, palm oil, palm oil-based agricultural products and machinery, equipment and parts, while key imports from the Kyrgyz Republic consist of chemicals and chemical products, electrical and electronic products and processed foods. – Bernama The President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov, arrived in Malaysia today for a two-day official visit. The special aircraft carrying President Zhaparov and his delegation landed at the Bunga Raya Complex, KLIA, at 6:45 p.m., where they were welcomed by Works Minister… — BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) June 24, 2025
New Straits Times
22-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
A soldier's story: He lost his leg fighting a war few Malaysians remember
THE line of the trees had turned red, and Second Lieutenant Zulkifli Datuk Haji Tahir didn't like it one bit. Then just 26 and serving in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (9 RMR), Zulkifli uttered a curse under his breath, eyes sweeping the thick jungle. Among soldiers stationed in Gubir, there was an old superstition: when the leaves turned crimson, something bad was coming. Some dismissed it as a tale meant to spook new recruits. But those who spent enough time in this accursed place knew better. In the 1980s, Gubir was one of the most volatile flashpoints along Malaysia's northern border. It was a dense, dangerous strip of the Ulu Muda forest in Sik, Kedah, where Malayan Communist Party insurgents could roam and strike with deadly precision. The army had a forward base in the area, but it was a perilous frontier, laced with booby traps, ambushes and landmines. According to many accounts, whenever the leaves changed colour, tragedy would soon follow. Some never made it out. Others returned maimed or scarred. Explosions erupted without warning. And the jungle, vast and indifferent, kept its silence. Few today remember that Malaysia endured three distinct conflicts: the Emergency, which began in 1948 under British colonial rule; the Indonesian Confrontation from 1963 to 1966 and the Second Communist Insurgency, which lasted from 1968 to 1989. Zulkifli's story, along with those of other veterans, is preserved in Memoirs: Malaya and Borneo At War, a memoir by the Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (Macva). In 1986, during one of his most dangerous deployments, Zulkifli and his unit were sent into a jungle already marked by tragedy. In the 1970s, a Royal Malaysian Air Force Nuri helicopter was shot down there by communist insurgents, killing everyone onboard. Intelligence warned the area was riddled with booby traps. The enemy, known as the "Black Jackets", were brutal and highly familiar with the terrain. Their name alone struck fear into young recruits. Zulkifli knew this mission wouldn't be easy. The red leaves were just the beginning. "No one's ever truly prepared for death," he says quietly, thinking back on those days. "As soldiers, our duty was simple — to do and die. For king and country, no questions asked." His mission was to lead a small section of 10 men. Their task was to scout and clear any booby traps before the rest of the battalion moved in. "It was extremely dangerous," he remembers, adding: "If anything went wrong, no one was coming to help." A series of explosions rang out across the area. The first casualty the battalion suffered came less than 20 minutes after arriving at the landing zone. A corporal from the Unit Combat Intelligence Section had the soles of his feet blown off. Each explosion forced the team to pause and listen. Tension filled the air. Eventually, the radio crackled to life with a clear order: all movement must stop. By then, Zulkifli and his team had climbed hills and crossed rivers to reach their position. They were deep in hostile territory, with the Thai border just 300 to 400 metres ahead. As night fell, but Zulkifli and his men couldn't sleep. They were too close to the border and the risk of enemy harassment made rest impossible. At first light, Zulkifli set out to scout the route ahead, taking two of his men with him — Corporal Ismail and Sapper Arif. They moved cautiously. When Zulkifli saw silhouettes, he signalled his men and rushed forward to investigate. A deafening explosion then tore through the air. SEEING THE LIGHT The 65-year-old man in front of me absentmindedly touches his right leg, his eyes drifting to a past nearly four decades ago. His hair, like his beard, is streaked with salt and pepper. Today, he's Colonel Zulkifli, but the memory he's about to share marks the moment that changed the course of his life — a deafening explosion that tore through everything in an instant. "Do you know what it's like to be caught in a booby trap explosion?" he murmurs, voice barely audible. Just then, the blender roars to life behind the cafe counter, and the sudden noise makes me flinch. In that blinding flash, Zulkifli saw something he couldn't explain — fleeting images of his parents and wife. He saw her serving tea to his mother. Later, when he asked them about it, they told him that's exactly what they'd been doing at that moment. That moment was surreal. There was no fear, no pain — only the quiet realisation that life, in all its beauty and terror, keeps moving. The wheel turns, even as death draws near. He thought he was dreaming. But as his senses returned and the sharp smell of carbide filled the air, he heard someone moaning in pain. It was Sapper Arif. Zulkifli, his own body still smoking from the blast, crawled to where Arif lay and quickly bandaged the bleeding on his face. The rest of his men arrived moments later, drawn by the sound of the explosion. They had only one morphine shot, and thinking Arif was the most seriously injured, Zulkifli instructed them to administer it to him. "I tried to get to my feet, but every time I stood up, I fell back to the ground," he recalls. Then he heard his platoon sergeant named Busra saying: "Sir, please stay put. Be patient… trust us," as he tried to take away Zulkifli's rifle. Zulkifli was confused and upset. Why would a senior non-commissioned officer be giving orders to an officer and trying to disarm him? "You know, back then — especially during the Vietnam War — the moment a soldier got hit by a booby trap, without realising it, he would pull the trigger," he says, his voice steady as he recalls the moment. Sergeant Busra, thinking ahead, had gently relieved Zulkifli of his weapon. He wasn't being disrespectful. He was just being careful. "Sir, you're hit," Busra said firmly. Zulkifli looked down at his arms and left leg. They seemed fine, apart from bits of shrapnel and a few superficial cuts. Then Busra said: "Look to your left, sir. Whose boot is that?" Zulkifli turned his head and saw it — his own boot, several metres away, unmistakable with its familiar lacing and knots. "That's mine," he said quietly. "Now look at your foot, sir. Look at your foot!" Zulkifli pauses in the telling, then looks at me. Without waiting for a response, he begins rolling up his right pant leg. "Mind if I show you this?" he asks. He's wearing a prosthetic leg, which he promptly removes, revealing a stump just below his right knee. There's no trace of bitterness on his face; instead, he smiles widely. "Okay… imagine this is what was left of my leg," he says blithely. The young Zulkifli had looked on in horror. The lower part of his right leg was gone, blown apart by the blast. Twisted bluish veins dangled like loose wires from the remains. It was a sight he'd carry with him for the rest of his life. HE AIN'T HEAVY The elderly man closes his eyes for a moment. From his stance to his dry humour and unflinching recollection, he's army through and through. The kind of man who has lived a hard life and survived more challenges than most can imagine. "Forty years," he says dryly. "And 10 days. That's how long I served." There's a brief pause before he adds: "I'm colour blind. Being in the service teaches you that." He's not referring to eyesight, but to the way a soldier learns to see beyond race, religion or background. Years in uniform had stripped away the differences, leaving only trust, loyalty and the bond of shared survival. "You never understand comradeship," he says, "until you've had brothers like Ahmad, Ah Weng or Pillai covering your back. All of us moved as one". The camaraderie among "brothers" runs deep. That's how it is in the army — you trust the man beside you to have your back when things get tough. That same bond kept him going. With only one stretcher available and insisting it be used for Arif, Zulkifli's comrade-in-arms Second Lieutenant Azmi Abdul Aziz had to carry him on his back. Azmi carried him through two kilometres of danger. The helicopter couldn't land anywhere nearby, so they had to walk 45 minutes through booby-trapped terrain. Zulkifli's smile fades, and his eyes brim with tears as he remembers the long journey back. "My men were in tears that day," he says softly, voice thick with emotion. "You carry me, and I'll sing," he'd told Azmi. When Azmi asked why, Zulkifli simply pointed to his men. " Tengok anak-anak buah aku… menangis kerana aku (Look at my boys… they're crying because of me!)" he said. To lift their spirits, even as pain coursed through his body, he sang loudly. Perched on Azmi's back, Zulkifli filled the jungle air with P. Ramlee tunes, the battalion song and whatever else he could remember — anything to bring a smile, anything to keep them moving. At the landing point, the medivac helicopter arrived 20 minutes later. Both men were evacuated to Penang General Hospital. Arif, it turned out, had only minor injuries. "It was such an irony," he says with a laugh. "I was the one missing a leg, but Arif got the stretcher and the only morphine shot we had!" ONE STEP FORWARD The indefatigable father-of-six speaks candidly about his amputation and the life he had to navigate in its aftermath. There were bouts of depression, moments when the weight of it all felt too much. But one verse from the Quran anchored him: "Indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease (Surah Ash-Sharh, 94: 5–6)." Those words stayed with him, offering clarity in the midst of pain. Says Zulkifli: "It made me realise that if I hadn't been injured, we would have walked straight into a communist camp just 70 metres ahead. We would have been outnumbered. Maybe none of us would've made it." Losing his leg was hard. But Zulkifli eventually returned on his own to the jungle in Kolam Air Panas, Ulu Legong, Baling, in the later part of the year to overcome his trauma. He deliberately walked a path that was possibly filled with booby traps to rebuild his confidence. Despite the risk and danger, he managed to cover 30 to 40 metres on his prosthetic leg. He explains: "I just needed to get my confidence back. And that walk did that." Life didn't stop for Zulkifli — it simply moved forward in a new direction. Although Azmi, who carried him to safety, had left the army as a lieutenant, Zulkifli continued to stay in uniform, driven by discipline. Later, he joined Malaysia's Paralympic shooting team, competing in pistol events with the same focus that defined his service. In 1995, at the age of 30, he completed a Master's degree in Business Administration — driven by his desire to keep learning and serving more effectively in his evolving role. But there are some things he'll never forget. Zulkifli still remembers the red leaves in Gubir, the silence before the explosion and the belief that when the trees turned colour, something bad was coming. That superstition proved true — but it didn't end his story. Instead, the jungle that nearly took his life became the very place he reclaimed it. Colonel Zulkifli remains a reminder of the men who walked into danger, and those who returned — changed, but never defeated. There are no regrets whatsoever. He had to do what he had to do, for king and country. "If we don't defend our own country, who will?" he asks quietly. He pauses, then adds: "There's a quote — 'You won't realise how important your country is until you lose it'. I've never forgotten that. You only understand what you're defending when it's almost taken from you." For Zulkifli, that understanding was forged in the heart of the jungle, through fear, loss and the quiet resilience that carried him forward. His story is a reminder that even in the darkest parts of the forest, duty, loyalty and love for country can still light the way. 562 pages
