Johor bahru: All parties involved in planning the development of the Regimen Gerak Khas (RGK) have been reminded not to alter decisions that have received the consent of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for the benefit of certain parties. The Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, emphasized that every plan and development concerning the RGK must have the King's consent, given his role as the Colonel Commandant of the RGK, and should be executed with utmost trust and responsibility for national security and sovereignty.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tunku Ismail stated that plans consented to by the King should not be altered merely due to the interests of certain parties aiming to exploit well-planned strategies. He cited the saying, 'harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi' (trusting the protector only for them to turn and destroy or steal what they guard), during his speech at the parade marking the 61st anniversary of the RGK.

The Regent criticized the management of the Ministry of Defence and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), indicating knowledge of who controls the KSU (secretary-general) of the Ministry of Defence, and expressed intentions to address the issues deemed as 'cancer' within the MAF.

Tunku Ismail highlighted the responsibility of the top leadership of the Ministry of Defence, MAF, and the Malaysian Army to ensure that the RGK's requirements in equipment, weaponry, mobility, technology, support systems, and operational assets are at the highest level. He stressed that these needs have grown in importance due to the increasingly complex and unpredictable security landscape influenced by geopolitical changes in the Indo-Pacific, developments in the South China Sea, and competition among major powers.

The Regent urged for serious attention to be given to RGK's needs to ensure they align with current and future operational demands. He called on the government to ensure that all development and procurement processes are based on capability, quality, operational effectiveness, and best value for the RGK.

Furthermore, Tunku Ismail pointed out that every RGK development and procurement plan under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) must be prioritized, considering the latest technology, cost-effectiveness, operational suitability, and long-term requirements. He also emphasized the importance of managing personnel welfare and career planning transparently and based on merit, without allowing room for vested interests or favouritism.

The Regent reminded all RGK personnel to uphold high levels of skills, physical and mental resilience, integrity, and loyalty to the King and country, in line with the Commando Soldier's Oath. He stressed that RGK officers and personnel must always maintain readiness as the unit serves as the 'tip of the spear' in addressing national security threats.