Memoir Putera Lapis Mahang

Memoir Putera Lapis Mahang
YANG AWAL DAN YANG AKHIR

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

AF 082: CERITA SEJARAH DARI WEBSAIT RAFOC

WHAT IS RAFOC?

FORMATION, REVIVAL AND FUTURE

The need to form an organization which would maintain the ties and friendship amongst the retired officers of the Armed Forces from the three Services was recognised by a number of officers in the mid 1980s. It was not until 1986 that a group of retired officers led by former Chief of Defence Force YBhg. Jen Tan Sri Mohd Ghazali bin Dato’ Mohd Seth, decided to seriously work on the formation of such a club. Amongst those involved were former Chief of Air Force Allahyarham Lt Jen Dato’ Mohammad bin Taib, RMAF (Bersara), Kept Hj Jalaluddin bin Idris, RMN (Bersara) and Allahyarham Kol Mohd Zain bin Mohd Daud, (Bersara). RAFOC was officially registered with the office of the Registrar of Societies, Kuala Lumpur on 9th September 1987. 

During the early years of its formation, RAFOC was able to organize a number of social and sporting activities amongst the retired Armed Forces officers from the three Services as well as sporting activities between the retired Armed Forces officers and the serving Armed Forces officers. Due to lack of interest and purpose, RAFOC has been dormant for the last few years. In November 2009, a number of retired officers (outside RAFOC) organised a reunion dinner, which was aimed at arousing the esprit-d-corps and comradarie of the retired Armed Forces officers from the three Services. It was well attended by over 700 retired Armed Forces officers from the three Services and their wives. The dinner was graced with the royal presence of DYMM Tuanku Raja Perlis (as a retired Armed Forces officer) and DYMM Tuanku Raja Perempuan Perlis. The Minister of Defence and his Deputy as well as the Service Chiefs or their representatives also attended the dinner. A number of former Chiefs of the Defence Force, former Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, were also there. As a result of the dinner, it was felt by many that the retired Armed Forces officers should have a vehicle to organise such a reunion in the future. It was decided by the organisers of the reunion to revive RAFOC instead of registering a new club/association. In view of this, RAFOC, which was given notice for de-registration, was allowed to reactivate its activities and to hold its Annual General Meeting, to meet the requirement of the Registrar of Societies. 

On 26th June 2010, RAFOC held its Annual General Meeting with the attendance of 68 members, exceeding the 50 required as the quorum. With the success of the meeting and the gradual increase in its membership which now exceeds 200 members, RAFOC can now play its role, primarily as the vehicle to organise activities for its members as well as the retired Armed Forces officers' community. Hopefully with the majority of the retired Armed Forces officers joining as members, RAFOC can take its role to represent the retired Armed Forces officers' community in its entire entity. Only then, RAFOC can be heard. Only then, RAFOC will be relevant. Only then, RAFOC can serve its purpose. Until then, RAFOC can only function as a vehicle to organise activities for its members and the retired Armed Forces officers' community.

THE ROUTE OF HISTORIC DAY FOR MAF OFFICERS

SHORT SERVICE COMMISSIONED INTAKE

FMC SSC Intake 1

Federal Military College (FMC) SSC Intake 1 was celebrating their 50th anniversary of their commission on the 2nd December 2011. 

On 2nd December 1961, 18 Officer Cadets (including three for the Navy and three for the Air Force; less four not commissioned), all from the rank and file or military civilian staff, were commissioned as Second Lieutenants into the various corps/regiments after having successfully completed their three-month officer cadet training commencing in September 1961. The three Air Force Cadets were commissioned into the Army. Two of the 28 officer cadets rose to the rank of Brig Jen before retirement.


FMC SSC Intake 2

On 12 Dec 1962, 26 Officer Cadets of SSC 02, Federation Military College (later, Royal Military College), Sungai Besi were commissioned as 2nd Lt into the various corps or regiments of the Army, after successfully completed their six months' SSC officer cadet training. 

On 1 Jul 1962, the intake started with 33 officer cadets - all for the Army. 10 were former Other Ranks (2 from the Air Force), one from Regular Intake 05 and one from Regular Intake 06.

Lt Gen Sir Rodney Moore, the Chief of Armed Forces Staff (CAFS) then, took the salute during the commissioning parade, The Parade Commander was OC David Lam Wah Kum, who also received the "Best Cadet" award.

All have since left the Service. Of the 26 who were commissioned, seven have since passed away. One made it to Lt Jen, two to Brig Jen, seven to Kol, eight to Lt Kol, six to Mej and two to Kapt. 14 left before their compulsory retirement age on their own request.

During our last Annual Dinner held on 3 Nov 2012 at the Dewan Perdana Felda, Kuala Lumpur, with the attendance of YB. Menteri Pertahanan Malaysia, members of SSC Intake 02 together with members of Regular Intake 05 who came to the dinner were recognized and honoured in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of their commission.

SSC Intake 18

Members of the RMC SSC Intake 18 (8 Jun 1970-16 Apr 1971) held their Hari Raya 1434 Reunion in Kelab Tasik Perdana, Putrajaya on Saturday, 7 Sep 2013 from 1500 to 1800 hours with Brig Jen Dato' Abd Hamid bin Mohd Zain, (Bersara), as Chairman of the Organizing Committee. SSC Intake 18 has the biggest number of officer cadets (182 Army and 42 Air Force). One in the Army became a Jeneral as Chief of Army (1 Feb 2007 - 20 May 2010) and one in the Air Force became a Jeneral as Chief of Air Force (31 Oct 2006 - 31 Aug 2009) and later Chief of Defence Force (1 Sep 2009 - 14 Jun 2011). 10 in the Army retired as Brig Jen and above and 5 in the Air Force retired as Brig Jen and above


REGULAR INTAKE
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FMC Regular Intake 4

FMC Regular Intake 4 will be celebrating their 50th anniversary of their commission comes 9th December 2011. On 9th December 1961, 37 Officer Cadets, including 4 from Singapore (less 2 sent to OCS Portsea, 4 Air Force Cadets and 3 who had to leave early) were commissioned as Second Lieutenants into the various corps/regiments after having successfully completed their two-year officer cadet training commencing in January 1960. This intake was the first Regular Intake to be commissioned in the Federation Military College at its Sungai Besi campus. Three in the Malaysia Army became Lt Jen; one in the Air Force rose to the rank of Lt Jen and became the Chief of Air Force; whilst one from Singapore rose to the rank of Lt Jen and became the Chief of Defence Force, Singapore. On 22 Dec 1961, four other officer cadets were also commissioned at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom after having successfully completed their two-year officer cadet training commencing in January 1960. One rose to the rank of Jeneral and became the 20th Chief of Defence Force, Malaysia.
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FMC Regular Intake 5

On this date 50 years ago, 8 Dec 1962, 32 Officer Cadets of Regular Intake 05, Federation Military College (later, Royal Military College), Sungai Besi (including three from Brunei and three from Singapore) were commissioned as 2nd Lt, after successfully completed their two year officer cadet training.



On 2 Jan 1961, the intake started with 53 officer cadets (when they reported for training at the Federation Military College, then in Port Dickson, which moved to Sungai Besi in April 1961) - 45 for the Army (including three from Brunei and three from Singapore), six for the Navy and two for the Air Force. 10 Army Officer Cadets had to leave during the first year and two were sent to continue their training in OCS Portsea, Australia. The six Navy Cadets continued their naval training at the BRNC, Dartmouth, United Kingdom in Sep 1961 and were commissioned in Sep 1963. The two Air Force Cadets were commissioned in December 1961 and continued their flying training at the Flying Training School, RNZAF Wigram, Christchurch, New Zealand for a period of 18 months.



On 2 Jan 1961, the intake started with 53 officer cadets (when they reported for training at the Federation Military College, then in Port Dickson, which moved to Sungai Besi in April 1961) - 45 for the Army (including three from Brunei and three from Singapore), six for the Navy and two for the Air Force. 10 Army Officer Cadets had to leave during the first year and two were sent to continue their training in OCS Portsea, Australia. The six Navy Cadets continued their naval training at the BRNC, Dartmouth, United Kingdom in Sep 1961 and were commissioned in Sep 1963. The two Air Force Cadets were commissioned in December 1961 and continued their flying training at the Flying Training School, RNZAF Wigram, Christchurch, New Zealand for a period of 18 months



DYMM Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Hassan Jamalullail, the 3rd Yang DiPertuan Agong, took the royal salute during the commissioning (Sovereign) parade, which also saw the Officer Cadets of Regular Intake 06 and the 300 or so "Budak Boys" from the eight companies of the Boys' Wing of the College on parade. The Parade Commander was Cadet JUO H'ng Hung Meng, who received the "Sword of Honour" award, whilst Cadet JUO Raja Abd Rashid bin Raja Badiozaman received the "First in the Order of Merit" award.


All have since left the Service. Of the 29 who were commissioned into the Malaysian Army (including two from OCS Portsea), 10 have since passed away (two whilst in Service). Two made it to Lt Jen, one to Mej Jen, two to Brig Jen, four to Kol, 11 to Lt Kol, seven to Mej and two to Kapt. 19 left before their compulsory retirement age on their own request. Of the six who were later commissioned into the Navy, one has since passed away. Two made it to Laksdya (one became the Chief of Navy), one to Laksda, one to Laksma and two to Kdr. Of the two officers who were commissioned into the Air Force, one passed away (whilst in Service). One made it to Brig Jen and one as Flt Lt. Of the three Brunei Officer Cadets who were commissioned into the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment then, all made it to Mej Jen (two as Chief of Defence Force Brunei). Of the three Singapore Officer Cadets who were commissioned, (into the Malaysian Army, and later into the Singapore Army), one made it to Col and two to Lt Col. One has since passed away. During our last Annual Dinner held on 3 Nov 2012 at the Dewan Perdana Felda, Kuala Lumpur, with the attendance of YB. Menteri Pertahanan Malaysia, members of Regular Intake 05 who came to the dinner were recognized and honoured in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of their commission.

Regular Intake 8

In January 1964, 58 officer cadets reported to the Cadet Wing of the then Federation Military College (FMC) in Sungai Besi to undergo their two-year cadet training. The 8th regular intake group, who called themselves budak boys, consisted of army, naval and air force cadets. After being commissioned and posted to the various corps and regiments, they went their separate ways and hardly saw each other. But after 50 years, about 50 budak boys were reunited during the Golden Jubilee Reunion dinner at Kuala Lumpur and Country Club (KLGCC), here, recently. 

The function room of the club was filled with nostalgia as the retired military officers shared their fond memories. Some turned up at the reunion with a walking stick and in wheelchair, accompanied by their spouses and children.


 
 


They reminisced how they had to put up with tough training sessions, how they used to be ragged by their seniors, how they nicknamed their friends and the moment they marched together in a parade. Ragging was part of our routine in FMC. For us, being ragged actually changes a boy into a man. Our seniors did that because they wanted to train us to be stronger and guide us to the right path," said Mej-Gen (rtd) Datuk Abdul Aziz Mansur. "Aziz, 70, who is also part of the entertainment committee for the reunion dinner, said ragging was a small matter as the cadets had to face far more challenging exercises. "I remember how our seniors ordered us to do extra parades, weekly mess cleaning, knee jerks and ketuk ketampi, just to name a few. When we talk about ragging, it depends on how you take it. Ragging can shape you into a better person, as long as it is not abusive," he said. Aziz, who served with Royal Malay Regiment, said no words could describe how happy he was to be able to meet his fellow alumni and instructors. "We usually have small 'reunions' during our children's wedding receptions. This is the first time that we have such a big gathering. I am glad that many could make it to the dinner and that some didn't mind staying until midnight." 

About 130 guests attended the dinner including former cadets from 7th and 9th intake and widows of the fallen armies. The guests-of-honour were former instructors and army chiefs Gen (rtd) Tan Sri Abd Rahman Abdul Hamid and Gen (rtd) Tan Sri Borhan Ahmad. The secretary of the organising committee Brig-Gen (rtd) Datuk Mohd Hashim Abu, 69, said it took nine months for the committee members to plan for the dinner. "Organising a reunion after 50 years is not easy but we are fortunate that we still keep in touch with our friends and trainers. We chose January for our dinner because this was the month we first met in 1964. "Like any other cadets, the ragging drama was one of the most memorable experiences. For me, one of the toughest training modules was battle craft. Nevertheless, our seniors still took care of us," said Hashim, who was commissioned into Royal Engineer Regiment. 


Chairman of the organising committee for the dinner Lt-Gen (rtd) Datuk Abdul Aziz Hassan said the gathering was the perfect platform for the FMC 8th intake group to share their memories of the college. "This is a great occasion as some of us have never seen each other after being commissioned. Some even travelled from United Kingdom, Australia, Brunei and Singapore just to attend this reunion. "When I was young, I was a keen sportsman. I was active in athletics, sepak takraw, football and swimming. I remember our seniors and instructors gave us funny nicknames based on our appearances and characters, like senget, luntur, bulldog, ikan sonsang, flattop and many more," he said, laughing.














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