21st Special Service Group


The 21st Special Service Group, also known as the 21st Special Forces Group, serves as the command for the Malaysian Army's special forces, the Gerak Khas. Since 1985, 21 SSG has also been considered the 21st combat brigade within the Malaysian Army, which is reflected in its designation. Operating independently under the Malaysian Army, the unit reports directly to the Chief of Army. The headquarters of the 21 SSG are located at Camp Sri Iskandar in Mersing, Johor.
On 10 May 2024, Major General Ahmad Shuhaimi Mat Wajab assumed command of the 21 SSG, succeeding Major General Mohd Adi Ridzwan.

History

The 21st Special Service Group, formerly known as Rejimen Pertama Gerak Khas Malaysia or the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment, was founded on 1 August 1970, at Camp Sungai Udang in Malacca. This unit directly succeeded the Malaysian Army's special operations task force, the Malaysian Special Service Unit, and served as the spiritual successor to Malaysia's first modern special forces unit, the Malayan Special Forces.

Background

Following the conclusion of the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation in 1966, the army command contemplated disbanding the MSSU. The MSSU, stationed at Camp Sebatang Karah in Negeri Sembilan, was a task force whose members were all commando-trained but belonged to their respective regiments or corps, including some sailors from the Royal Malaysian Navy.
In 1969, the 13 May incident prompted the MSSU's deployment to Kuala Lumpur to secure the weapons depot at Camp Mindef. The unit also worked alongside the Royal Malaysia Police's Special Branch, the country's domestic intelligence agency, to apprehend gang and triad leaders suspected of orchestrating the violence behind the scenes. Due to the MSSU's effectiveness in handling the crisis, military leadership decided against its disbandment.

Establishment of the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment

On 1 August 1970, the Malaysian Army established the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment to succeed the MSSU. Initially, MSSU personnel remained attached to their original regiments, corps, and branch while operating as a task force. To streamline the unit's structure, by 1973, MSSU personnel who wished to continue serving in special forces had to formally resign from their parent units and enlist in 1 MSSR as full-time members.
On 1 January 1976, in response to the expansion of Malaysia's special forces, the 2nd Malaysian Special Service Regiment was formed. Additionally, on 1 August 1976, the Special Warfare Training Centre was established to provide commando and special operations training for Gerak Khas. Given its seniority, 1 MSSR personnel were selected as instructors at SWTC. Around this time, the 1 MSSR headquarters company was also tasked with overseeing and commanding all special forces operations within the Malaysian Army.

Reorganisation and separation from 1 MSSR

On 4 April 1980, the Malaysian Army separated the command structure of special forces from 1 MSSR by establishing the Malaysian Special Service Command at Camp Imphal in Kuala Lumpur. The majority of leadership from the 1 MSSR headquarters company was transferred to the new command, while 1 MSSR and 2 MSSR continued to operate as combat units.
Subsequently, on 1 April 1981, the Malaysian Army renamed the Malaysian Special Service Command to the Malaysian Special Service Group. At the same time, 1 MSSR was redesignated as the 21st Para Commando Regiment, and 2 MSSR became the 22nd Para Commando Regiment.
Simultaneously, two new counter-revolutionary warfare and military intelligence units were formed: the 11th Special Service Regiment and the 12th Special Service Regiment, with the purpose of providing specialised support to the Para Commando regiments. In December 1981, numerous support units were established to provide additional combat support to the combat units under MSSG. However, in 1983, the 12 SSR was disbanded, and the 11 SSR was no longer exclusively assigned to the 21st Para Commando Regiment.

Renaming to the 21st Special Service Group

In 1985, MSSG was rebranded as the 21st Special Service Group as part of the Malaysian Army's efforts to standardise unit designations and formally recognise it as the 21st brigade within the army. This restructuring also led to the renaming of its combat units: the 21st Para Commando Regiment became the 21st Commando Regiment, and the 22nd Para Commando Regiment became the 22nd Commando Regiment.
Additionally, in 1986, the 21st Engineering Squadron of 21 SSG, now known as the 10th Squadron, Royal Army Engineer, was transferred to the Malaysian Army's 3rd Infantry Division. In 1995, the Special Warfare Training Centre was placed under the Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command.

Relocation to Camp Sri Iskandar

Camp Sri Iskandar, originally known as Camp Sri Mersing, was purpose-built as a special forces base in Johor. Locally, it is commonly referred to as Camp Iskandar or Kem Iskandar, without the Sri prefix. Located south of Mersing, the camp spans and features extensive infrastructure, including 200 buildings, of roads, three bridges, a harbour, helicopter landing pads, parade squares, and other facilities designed to support special operations and begin its construction in 2001. Construction of the base began in 2001.
The 22nd Commando Regiment was the first unit to relocate to the new base in 2004, moving from Camp Erskine in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor. Since then, 21 SSG has gradually transferred its headquarters from Camp Sungai Udang to Camp Sri Iskandar, with the relocation completed in 2009.
Originally named Camp Sri Mersing, the base was later renamed Camp Sri Iskandar in honour of the late Sultan Iskandar of Johor, a strong supporter of Gerak Khas and its former Colonel-in-Chief.

Structures

As a nation that is part of the Commonwealth, the Malaysian military adheres to the traditions of the British Armed Forces. In the case of the 21st Special Service Group, they have adopted the structure of the British Special Air Service, employing the term 'sabre squadron' instead of 'company', unlike other units within the Malaysian Army.

1970–2017

1970–1980
  • 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment
  • 2nd Malaysian Special Service Regiment
  • Special Warfare Training Centre
1980–1981
  • Malaysian Special Service Command
  • *1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment
  • *2nd Malaysian Special Service Regiment
  • *Special Warfare Training Centre
1981–1983
1983–1985
  • Malaysian Special Service Group
  • *Garrison Command
  • *11th Special Service Regiment
  • *21st Para Commando Regiment
  • *22nd Para Commando Regiment
  • *21st Signals Squadron, Malaysian Signals Regiment
  • *21st Composite Company, Malaysian Service Corps
  • *21st Ordnance Company, Malaysian Ordnance Corps
  • *21st Military Police Company, Malaysian Military Police Corps
  • *21st Workshop Company, Malaysian Corps of Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
  • *Armed Forces Payroll Affairs Company, Malaysian General Service Corps
  • *Special Warfare Training Centre
1985–2017
Unit's name Unit's name AbbreviationBeret backingHeadquartersSpecialty and purpose
Garrison HeadquartersMarkas GarisonMK GARISSONCamp Sri IskandarThe MK GARISSON is a company-sized unit that provides administrative support to assist the 21 SSG in its administration.
11th Special Service Regiment11 Rejimen Gerak Khas11 SSRCamp Sungai UdangThe 11th Special Service Regiment stands as a top-tier special forces unit within the Malaysian Army and is one of the three combat units under the 21 SSG.
Referred to as the 11 Unit Lawan Keganasan, or the 11th Counter Terrorism Unit in English, its duties encompass counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, close protection, and special reconnaissance.
21st Commando RegimentRejimen 21 Komando21 CDOCamp Sungai UdangThe 21st Commando Regiment is one of the three combat units within the 21 SSG.
Specialising in traditional special forces roles, the 21 CDO distinguishes itself by emphasising airborne operations, in contrast to the 22nd Commando Regiment. Its capabilities encompass unconventional warfare, direct action, counter-insurgency and special reconnaissance.
22nd Commando RegimentRejimen 22 Komando22 CDOCamp Sri IskandarThe 22nd Commando Regiment is among the three combat units within the 21 SSG. After undergoing a restructuring in 2009, the 22 CDO now places a greater emphasis on amphibious operations compared to its previous specialisation in mountain warfare.
Like the 21 CDO, its responsibilities encompass unconventional warfare, direct action, counter-insurgency, and special reconnaissance. Additionally, it has taken on a new role of anti-piracy.
21st Logistic Group21 Kumpulan Logistik21 KUMP LOGCamp Sri IskandarThe 21 KUMP LOG is a specialised unit that supports combat operations for the 21 SSG by providing services like military logistics.
Formed in 2017, it is one of the newest units alongside the 21 MEDIC. Merging service support companies from the 21 SSG created the 21 KUMP LOG, resulting in three squadrons:
  • 21st Materials Squadron, Royal Ordnance
  • Logistics Service Squadron, Royal Logistics
  • 21st Workshop Squadron REME
21st Signal Squadron, Royal Signals21 Skuadron Semboyan Gerak Khas21 SSDCamp Sri IskandarThe 21 SSD is a special operations combat support unit tasked with providing communication support to all units under the command of the 21 SSG.
21st Medic Squadron, Royal Medicals21 Skuadron Medik Gerak Khas21 MEDICCamp Sri IskandarThe 21 MEDIC is a special operations support unit assigned to provide medical support to all units under the command of the 21 SSG. Alongside the 21st Logistics Group, established in 2017, these are the newest units of the 21 SSG. Its duties include supplying special operations combat medics and delivering medical care to all special forces members and their families at army camps occupied by the 21 SSG.
21st Company, Royal Military Police21 Kompeni Polis Tentera Diraja21 KPTDCamp Sri IskandarThe 21 KPTD is a military police unit responsible for law enforcement within the 21 SSG and Camp Sri Iskandar.
21 SSG Intelligence Cell, Royal IntelligenceSel Risik 21 GGKCamp Sri IskandarThis unit manages military intelligence operations, overseeing the careful dissemination of information within the 21 SSG to avoid leaks.