The milestone of the Malay Regiment began on 31 May 1961 and 16 Zulhijjah 1380 of Islamic calendar which was the inception of the Malay Regiment. The event corresponded with the date of the declaration made by His Majesty Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Maulana Al-Sultan Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddin Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan Dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam as the 28th Sultan of Brunei. The first intake of 60 recruits were selected to train at Port Dickson, Malaya. These recruits completed their training on 4 November 1961 and this marked the new era of bravery and heroism in modern Bruneians. To commemorate this important date, the Royal Brunei Land Forces celebrate its anniversary every 4 November.
The basic foundation of Brunei Malay Regiment which included the Headquarters, A, B and C Companies was established on 16 June 1962. This organization comprised of all members from the first, second and third intakes at the time, which they were located at Segenting Camp, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malayan Federation while awaiting for the completion of a new camp at Berakas, Brunei. The Brunei Malay Regiment then left Segenting Camp on 2 May 1964 on a ship and started their services back at the Berakas Camp, Brunei.
Since their return, many Bruneians have flocked into this career and the organization of the Brunei Malay Regiment has continued to expand. The establishment of the Boat Section (Seksyen Perahu) with 18 members and Air Service using two Sikorsky (S55) helicopters in 1965 has increased the capability of the Brunei Malay Regiment. The Air Service was used to transport the army personnel and air medical service to local hinterlands. On 25th June 1966, a helicopter platoon was formed and equipped with two Westland Whirlwind helicopters. In accordance with this development, A, B and C Companies including the headquarters, the Boat Section (Seksyen Perahu) and Helicopter Platoon were combined as one Task Force unit.
In conjunction with the 4th Anniversary of the Brunei Malay Regiment on 31 May 1965, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien granted the 'Royal' title to the Brunei Malay Regiment and since then, the Brunei Malay Regiment changed its name to the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment.
At the end of 1972, the organization of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment was drafted again. The Task Force unit was divided into different small units, namely the First Battalion, a small navy at the time called the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment Flotilla and an Air Wing consisting of all rotor aircrafts, which exists until today. The First Battalion Royal Brunei Malay Regiment was the pioneer to the formation of the Royal Brunei Land Forces. The First Battalion at the time comprised of the Headquarters Company, A, B, C, D, E Companies and the Supporting Company under the command of Lieutenant Colonel J.F. Davis.
Royal Brunei Malay Regiment flourished with the establishment of the Second Battalion on 2nd January 1975, at a temporary base in Bolkiah Camp. It was founded by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Ratna Indera Lieutenant Colonel Pengiran Dato Setia Ibnu bin Pengiran Datu Penghulu Pengiran Haji Apong. The basic formation of the Second Battalion was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel A. E. Hibbert. The Second Battalion moved to Tutong Camp on 10 May 1976.
In accordance with the contemporary development, on 17 September 1991, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam sanctioned for a reorganization in the structure of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
As a result, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces is divided into 5 major units, the Royal Brunei Land Forces, the Royal Brunei Navy, the Royal Brunei Air Force, Support Services Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Training Institute Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
With the increase in the roles and responsibilities of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, a Project Team was set up in 1993 to study and research for the establishment of the Third Battalion, Royal Brunei Land Forces. The Project Team was led by Major Afflon bin Dato Paduka Haji Hamidon. His Majesty Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam consented the establishment of the Third Battalion, Royal Brunei Land Forces officially on 31 May 1994 in conjunction with the 33rd Anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
The official launching was officiated by Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Digadong Sahibul Mal Pengiran Muda Haji Jefri Bolkiah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, on behalf of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Nagara Brunei Darussalam bestowed the epistle of the establishment of the Third Battalion to Major Haji Mohd Sahlan bin Hidup, its first Commanding Officer.
In its early formation, the Third Battalion comprised of members from D Company First Battalion, F Company Second Battalion and some from the Command Company (Kompeni Memerintah) and the Admininstrative Company (Kompeni Pentadbiran) of the First and Second Battalion Royal Brunei Land Forces. Currently, the Third Battalion is located at Penanjong Garrison while awaiting for the completion of its permanent camp in Lumut, Belait District.
On 24 Mac 1995, the Air Defence Battery and Penanjong Workshop were excluded from the Support Battalion. Both were integrated into the Royal Brunei Air Force and Royal Brunei Service Force to make the command, control and operation more easy and efficient.
COLOURS OF THE ROYAL BRUNEI LAND FORCES
On 31 May 1966, the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment was bestowed with the colours of Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien a year after it was given the "Royal" title in the Royal Colours Presentation Ceremony at Berakas Camp. The colour was green, with a background showing the symbol of a moon and a star at the bottom right, while at the above left is the personal emblem of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien.
In conjunction with the 10th Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment on 31st May 1971, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam bestowed another colour known as the Royal Colours in the at Padang Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan.
The Royal Colours is yellow embossed with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah's personal emblem at the bottom right whilst the symbol of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment is placed at the above left. With the bestowing of the Royal Colours, His Majesty's colours was converted to the Units' Colours.
On 27 May 1978, in accordance with its 17th anniversary, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, granted to bestow the First and Second Battalion with two colours, namely the Royal Colours and the Units' Colours. The ceremony took place at Padang Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan. The only difference between the two colours is the additional Roman letter 'I' and 'II', symbolizing the First and Second Battalions Royal Brunei Malay Regiment.
The bestowing of the Royal and Team Flags on the 27th May 1978
On 31st May 1988, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, granted in a formal speech to change the personal emblem of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien with the personal emblem of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty then bestowed the Units' Colours to the First and Second Battalions at a ceremony held at the Taman Sultan Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien.
Once again, history was made with the bestowing of the new Royal Colour and Unit Flag on 12th July 1994 to the First, Second and Third Battalions of the Royal Brunei Armed Land Forces. Another ceremony was again held at Royal Brunei Armed Forces Training Centre Parade Square, Penanjong Garrison.
The presentation of colours ceremony was officiated by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. At the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel A. Jumat bin Haji Zakaria, Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, led the pledge to make the colours as a symbol and essence of heroic spirit and to sacrifice to maintain the security and defend the sovereignty of Brunei Darussalam in accordance with the concept of Malay Islamic Monarchy.
THE ROYAL COLOURS
FORMER COMMANDERS OF ROYAL BRUNEI LAND FORCE
FIRST COMMANDER OF ROYAL BRUNEI LAND FORCES
17 September 1991 – 10 August 1994
Yang Dimuliakan
Pehin Datu Harimaupadang Brigedier Jeneral Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Husin bin Ahmad,
DSLJ, PaNB, PHBS, PJK, IHDS, psc
SECOND COMMANDER OF ROYAL BRUNEI LAND FORCES
11 August 1994 – 28 October 1999
Yang Dimuliakan
Pehin Datu Padukaraja Brigedier Jeneral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Shari bin Ahmad,
PSPNB, DSLJ, SNB, SMB, PJK, PIKB, psc
THIRD COMMANDER OF ROYAL BRUNEI LAND FORCES
29 October 1999 – 31 January 2001
Yang Dimuliakan
Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Pahlawan Brigedier Jeneral Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Mohd Jaafar bin Haji Abdul Aziz,
DSLJ, SMB, jssc, psc
FOURTH COMMANDER OF ROYAL BRUNEI LAND FORCES
1 February 2001 – 14 March 2003
Yang Dimuliakan
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Brigedier Jeneral Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof,
SMB, Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera), rcds, psc
FIFTH COMMANDER OF ROYAL BRUNEI LAND FORCES
15 March 2003 - 1 July 2005
Yang Dimuliakan
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Kolonel Dato Paduka Haji Abdu’r Rahmani bin Dato Paduka Haji Basir,
DPMB, SMB, psc
SIXTH COMMANDER OF ROYAL BRUNEI LAND FORCES
1 July 2005 - 12 December 2008
Kolonel Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Rosli bin Pengiran Haji Chuchu,
DPMB, PNB, ndc, psc
SEVENTH COMMANDER OF ROYAL BRUNEI LAND FORCES
12 December 2008 - 13 November 2009
Brigedier Jeneral Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin,
SMB, PJK,Bsc (Hons), Fellow of ACDSS, MA,psc
EIGHTH COMMANDER OF ROYAL BRUNEI LAND FORCES
13 November 2009 - 01 December 2014
Yang Mulia
Brigedier Jeneral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Yussof bin Haji Abd Rahman,
PSPNB, SMB, PGAT (Malaysia), PJK, aowc, psc
