At present, three battalions are parachute trained and form part of the Malaysian Army Rapid Deployment Force.

During this period, British and Indian troops, including the Burma Rifles, were stationed in Malaya for internal security duties.

Five months later, a Bren Gun Carrier platoon was formed under Captain R. R. C. Carter and began training with the 2nd Loyal Regiment.

B Company of 1st Battalion, Malay Regiment, defending their position on the ridge came under heavy fire from Japanese troops supported by artillery and tanks and were forced to retreat to the rear.

They were reduced owing to mounting officer casualties: in a heroic and glorious last stand eclipsing the later achievements of 2nd Lieutenant Adnan Saidi.

The company's destruction triggered an immediate night withdrawal of both the 44th Indian and 1st Malaya Brigade to the general line running from Mount Echo (at the junction of Ayer Rajah and Depot Road) to Buona Vista.

On 14 February, the Japanese launched a further heavy attack at 0830 hours, supported by intense mortar and artillery fire, on the front held by the 1st Malaya infantry Brigade.

At 1600 hours, an attack supported by tanks eventually succeeded in penetrating the left flank where the defenders were forced back to a line from the junction of the Ayer Rajah and Depot Road through the Brick Works and along the canal to Bukit Chermin.

Owing to the failure of units on both its flanks to hold their ground, the 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade withdrew at 1430 hours.

Had the Japanese gained control of the hill and ridge that overlooked the north of the island, it would have given them direct passage to the Alexandra area where the British army had its main ammunition and supply depots, a military hospital and other key installations.

As a ruse, they sent a group of soldiers dressed in captured Indian Army uniforms who attempted to pass themselves off as Punjabi troops.

When the disguised soldiers reached the Malay Regiment's defence line, C Company's squad opened fire with their Lewis guns, killing some and badly wounding the rest — those who survived rolled and crawled downhill to save themselves.

Two hours later, the Japanese launched an all-out assault in great numbers despite being within point blank range of the Australian artillery.

Reports claimed that Saidi manned a Lewis gun others engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat using only bayonets.

On 28 February 1942, four captive Malay Regiment officers were executed by firing squad in Pasir Panjang for refusing to join the Japanese army when instructed to do so by a Malaysian collaborator, Major Mustapha Hussein of the F Kikan.

By mid 1946, the idea of a multi-racial Malay Regiment, raised after the war, had been dropped due to opposition from state rulers and governments.

The British plan to develop a strategic reserve of three brigades held in Britain would require the raising of more local regimental strength.

An outpost in Kalabakan in Tawau, established and manned by members of C Company of the 3rd Battalion under the command of Maj Zainal Abidin bin Haji Yaacob was ambushed by "volunteers" of the North Kalimantan Army while performing their Maghrib prayers.

As part of the United Nations UNOSOM II operation in Somalia, the 19th Bn Royal Malay Regiment (Mechanised) started deployment of its 870 members in Mogadishu from 18 June 1993.

23rd Bn Royal Malay and 3rd Armour formed MALBATT I as part of the United Nations Protection Force and started deployment in September 1993.

Within the circle of the crest are a kris and a scabbard with the Regimental motto "Ta'at Setia" written in Jawi, meaning "Loyal and True".

[8][9] Its primary role is more towards ceremonial functions, as the representative of the nation's defence element in becoming the guard of honour during a state visit.

The tradition started when an officer of KOSB was seconded to 5 Bn Royal Malay in 1953, having raised its drumline during the battalion's formation.

[10] The 6th battalion, Royal Malay Regiment was formed on 1 May 1952 and later deployed to Quetta Camp in Kluang, Johor on 3 November 1952.

It is currently based at Kubota Camp in Tawau, Sabah The 17th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (17 RAMD) was formed on 1 August 1970.

Adnan Saidi led the reinforced 42-strong No.7 Platoon of 'C' Company, 1st Battalion of the Malay Regiment at the Bukit Chandu (Opium Hill) position on 12–14 February 1942.

After the battle was lost, the wounded Adnan was taken prisoner by Japanese soldiers, who tied him to a cherry tree and bayoneted him to death.

[citation needed] Based on intelligence gathered indicating that a force of 40 to 50 communist guerrillas would converge on Gunung Pueh, "D" Company of 2nd Royal Malay Regiment led by Captain Hamid was tasked in a search and destroy mission.

Captain Hamid fired a round of M79 grenade launcher to mark the start of the attack and rushed into the communist guerrillas camp.