Malaysian army expertise in

jungle warfare, survival sought

by many countries | New Straits
Times

By Ifwan Tun Tuah

SEREMBAN: Soldiers from around the world, including the

United States, come to Malaysia to train for jungle warfare
simply because our troops are among the best in the world at
this.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mohd Jailani Ismail should know. He is

the chief planner for the latest edition of Exercise Keris Strike,
a joint exercise held between the Malaysian army and the US
Army Pacific Command (USARPAC).

“For our troops, entering the jungle is like going camping, but
foreign troops are not used to it. They are usually too
preoccupied thinking about possible attacks from wild or
poisonous animals... they are even afraid of leeches.”

Jailani said the Malaysian armed forces, especially the army,

was so well known for their experience and expertise in jungle
warfare, especially when it comes to tropical rainforests, that
many defence forces from around the world sought to train or
exchange views with the nation’s security forces.

“Everyone knows that US troops are experts in conventional

warfare and operations in various environments, including
desserts. But they lack expertise and experience in operating
in dense jungles. For Malaysian troops, that is our bread and
butter.

“The forests in America are also different... they aren’t very

dense, allowing for fields of vision of about 100m, whereas
here the maximum is 20m. And, at night it is almost nil

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because of the thick canopy above our heads.

“Apart from that, their forests also do not have as many wild
and poisonous animals as tropical jungles,” he said when met
after the closing ceremony for the exercise at the parade
ground of the 15th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, in
Senawang recently.

Jailandi said, apart from sharing tactical lessons on jungle

warfare with USARPAC, Malaysian soldiers also provided tips
on how to avoid or defence against wild and poisonous
animals.

“We taught them things that you won’t find in books or field
manuals. Things like how to spray insect repellant on their
fatigues so that not only insects but leeches do not attack
them, and how to use sulphur and salt to protect themselves
against other kinds of insects.

“In fact, they can even use the gunpowder from their bullets to
ward off certain insects and poisonous animals as well,” he
said.

Meanwhile, 3rd Division commander Major-General Datuk

Hasagaya Abdullah said Malaysia’s expertise in jungle warfare
and counter-insurgency was always a point of reference for
other nations.

He said, besides Asean and the US, other countries such as

the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia,
frequently held exercises with the Malaysian armed forces.

“Our expertise is in jungle warfare and counter-insurgency.

We are also experts in survival tactics and combat tracking.

“The US has many times before called upon us to train their

troops in survival tactics and combat tracking. In fact, many
other countries learn from us in several series of joint
exercises and training sessions, both here and overseas,” he
said.

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Lieutenant-Colonel Mohd Jailani Ismail. (NSTP/IQMAL
HAQIM ROSMAN)