Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Udara
ڤاسوكن سيمڤنن سوكاريلا تنترا اودارا‎
Founded6 October 1993 (1993-10-06)
Country Malaysia
Branch Royal Malaysian Air Force
TypeMilitary reserve force
Part of
Garrison/HQSendayan Air Base, Negeri Sembilan
Nickname(s)Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara (Air Force Reserve), PSTU, Angkatan Simpanan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (RMAF Reserve), Air Force Reservist
Commanders
Director of Air Force ReserveColonel Mohd Shahfreen Baba RMAF

The Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RMAFVR; Malay: Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Udara, abbreviated as PSSTU; Jawi: ڤاسوكن سيمڤنن سوكاريلا تنترا اودارا‎) functions as the reserve component of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It was established on 6 October 1993 following a decision by the Board of Ministers, making it the youngest of Malaysia's military reserve forces.[note 1] The formation is administered by the Air Force Reserve Headquarters (Malay: Markas Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara) and forms one of the core elements of the Malaysian Armed Forces Reserve. The original Malay designation, Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (PSSTUDM), was officially shortened to its current form in 2024.[1]

The headquarters is located at Sendayan Air Base and is currently commanded by Colonel Mohd Shahfreen Baba RMAF, who holds the appointment of Director of Air Force Reserve (Malay: Pengarah Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara).[note 2] Prior to this, the commander's post was known as the Assistant Chief of Air Force Reserve (Malay: Asisten Panglima Markas Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara) and held the rank of brigadier general.[2]

History

Origins: Air Force ROTU

The Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RMAFVR) was established in response to the need for a dedicated air force reserve component to accommodate commissioned graduates of the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Unit (ROTU) programme. While other branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces already had established reserve elements, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) lacked such a structure. The first cohort of Air Force ROTU cadets commenced training in 1988, and upon completing their three-year programme, they had no formal avenue to continue serving as reservists within the air force.[1]

Formation of the Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve

The issue of an absent air force reserve component was eventually raised in Parliament, and on 6 October 1993, the Board of Ministers approved the formation of the RMAF's own reserve force. It was officially named the Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, abbreviated PSSTUDM). A new command was created for its administration, known as the Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters (Malay: Markas Pemerintahan Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara), with its first headquarters located at Kuala Lumpur Air Base.[1]

Following its establishment, the RMAFVR expanded throughout Malaysia, in tandem with the extension of the Air Force ROTU programme to additional universities and higher education institutions.[1]

Organisational restructuring and capability expansion

In 2012, the RMAFVR underwent a structural reorganisation and capability expansion. The force was categorised into four main components:[3]

  • Air Force ROTU (Malay: PALAPES Udara)
  • Air Force Reservist Training Unit (Malay: Pasukan Latihan Anggota Simpanan Tentera Udara)
  • Reservist Airmen (Malay: Perajurit Muda PSTU)
  • Air Force Specialist Reserve (Pasukan Simpanan Pakar Tentera Udara)

By 2020, ten universities in Malaysia had established Air Force ROTU units. The RMAFVR was administratively divided into six geographical detachments:[4]

  • Central Detachment
  • Eastern Detachment
  • Northern Detachment
  • Sabah Detachment
  • Sarawak Detachment
  • Southern Detachment

Downsizing and command realignment

However, a decline in recruitment for the Air Force Reserve, compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, led to a downsizing of both the Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters and the RMAFVR. In mid-2019, the Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters ceased to be led by the Assistant Chief of Air Force Reserve, with Brigadier General Muhammad Shafiq Jahudi RMAF being the last to hold the position.[5]

The leadership structure was revised, and the command was placed under the Director of Air Force Reserve, who concurrently served as Chief of Staff of the Air Force Reserve. The command's designation was also downgraded; the term "Command" was removed, and it became known simply as the Air Force Reserve Headquarters. It was placed under the oversight of the Assistant Chief of Staff (Administration) of the RMAF.[5]

As a result of this restructuring, the RMAFVR was reduced to only two categories:[5]

  • Air Force ROTU
  • Air Force Specialist Reserve

Relocation to Sendayan Air Base

In line with the phased closure of Kuala Lumpur Air Base, all RMAF units stationed there began relocating to Sendayan Air Base from January 2018. This relocation included the Air Force Reserve Headquarters and the RMAFVR, which were officially moved in November 2019.[6]

At Sendayan, the Air Force Reserve Headquarters and the RMAFVR was allocated approximately 40 acres (16 ha) for its garrison. The facilities include administrative and training blocks, a jungle survival training camp, a volleyball court, an obstacle and endurance course, and proximity to a shared parade ground used by other RMAF formations.[7]

Official renaming and future reforms

In 2024, the official Malay name of the RMAFVR was shortened from Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (PSSTUDM) to Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Udara (PSSTU), directly translated into English as Air Force Volunteer Reserve. This name change aligns with a planned reformation of the Air Force Reserve structure, scheduled to begin in 2025.[8]

Organisation and structure

Current structure

Following a downsizing exercise in 2019, the current structure of the Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RMAFVR) is as follows:[4]

Air Force Specialist Reserve

The Air Force Specialist Reserve is a unit within the RMAFVR that recruits individuals with professional expertise in niche technical and engineering disciplines relevant to the aerospace sector. Fields of specialisation include aerospace engineering, telecommunications engineering, mechanical engineering, and satellite engineering.[9]

Established in 2020, the unit is part of an initiative by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) to fulfil the strategic goals outlined in the 2020 Defence White Paper, which emphasised enhancing technical capabilities and integrating reservists into operational roles.[10]

The main role of this unit is to provide technical support to the RMAF and to contribute to the modernisation of its capabilities through the application of current technologies, innovative ideas, and inventions introduced at international technology forums.[9]

The unit is currently led by Colonel Dr. Nafizah Goriman Khan , one of the first Malaysian woman to enter the field of telecommunication engineering, which was traditionally dominated by men. She is a leading satellite specialist at the Malaysian Space Agency and a researcher at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.[9]

Air Force ROTU

Trainees enrolled in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Unit (ROTU) are automatically considered members of the RMAFVR, even while still undergoing training. As such, ROTU cadets wear the RMAFVR uniform and beret, which includes the "PSSTU" label on the left breast pocket, denoting their status as part of the volunteer reserve.[11]

Future plans

The Defence White Paper, published in 2020, outlined the future direction of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), including its reserve components. Under this framework, reservists are no longer viewed solely as a strategic force to be mobilised during emergencies or external conflicts. Instead, they are being positioned as an operationally ready and flexible component of the armed forces, capable of deployment alongside regular units during both peacetime and wartime missions.[10]

Several key proposals have been introduced for the reservist force, including:[12]

In line with this strategic direction, the Malaysian Armed Forces Reserve was established to centralise the reserve components across the three branches of the MAF. Although progress was initially slow due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has since launched several initiatives to strengthen its reserve elements.[10]

Development of reserve special forces capability

Beginning in September 2019, two reservists from the Air Force Reserve Headquarters were selected to join the RMAF Special Forces Adaptation Programme. The two pioneers, Second Lieutenant Salehin and Second Lieutenant Fauzi , were attached to the RMAF Regiment at Jugra Air Base. While continuing their respective duties and trades within the RMAF, they underwent physical conditioning in preparation for the Special Forces Selection.[12]

Within a few years, they are expected to successfully pass the Special Forces Selection; otherwise, they will be reassigned to their original units. This programme aligns with the objectives set out in the 2020 Defence White Paper, and more reservists are expected to be selected for the programme in the future.[10]

Integration of reservists into base security operations

As of 2025, the Air Force Headquarters has proposed the expansion of the Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RMAFVR) to include detachments at all Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) air bases. Under this proposal, each air base would be assigned an RMAFVR detachment, trained as part of the RMAF Ground Defence Force (RMAF HANDAU). These reservists would be tasked with base security duties and would operate alongside regular RMAF HANDAU personnel in patrol and defensive operations.[8]

This initiative is part of the RMAF's broader effort to realise the objectives outlined in the 2020 Defence White Paper, in which the Malaysian government redefined the role of reservists as an operationally ready and flexible component of the armed forces, capable of deployment alongside regular units during both peacetime and wartime operations.[10]

Notable members

The following individuals are among the notable figures who have served, or are currently serving, in the Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RMAFVR):

  • Nafizah Goriman Khan – Colonel Dr. Nafizah Goriman Khan is a leading satellite specialist in Malaysia and one of the first Malaysian women to enter the field of telecommunications engineering. With nearly 30 years of experience, she was personally recruited by Sultan Abdullah of Pahang, who also holds the honorary title of Air Commodore-in-Chief of the RMAF, to join the Air Force Reserve. In 2020, she was promoted to the rank of colonel and appointed director of the Air Force Specialist Reserve. She currently serves as a researcher at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus and has previously worked at SIRIM and the Malaysian Space Agency.[13]
  • Nicol David – Major Datuk Nicol David is a former professional squash player and former world number one in women's squash. She joined the RMAF Volunteer Reserve in mid-2012 to promote youth involvement in military service. In September 2012, she was promoted to the rank of major in recognition of her contributions and status as a national sports icon.[14]
  • Tengku Abdul Samad Shah – Brigadier General Tengku Abdul Samad Shah is a member of the Selangor royal family and the brother of the current Sultan of Selangor.[note 4] He enlisted in the RMAF Volunteer Reserve in 1993 and played a key role in the establishment of the RMAF reserve component. In 2015, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in recognition of his service and contributions to the RMAF and the Air Force Reserve.[15]
  • Tengku Musahiddin Shah – Colonel Tengku Musahiddin Shah , son of Tengku Abdul Samad Shah, is also a member of the Selangor royal family. He joined the RMAF Volunteer Reserve in 2021 and was appointed a board member of the Supporting Committee for the RMAFVR (Malay: Jawatankuasa Pendukung Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia). In 2022, he was commissioned as a military officer by the King of Malaysia and granted the rank of colonel.[16]
  • Tengku Zafrul Aziz - Captain Tengku Zafrul is a banker-turned-politician and the current Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry. He is a descendant of the Langkat and Deli royal families from Sumatra, Indonesia. Prior to his political career, he held senior roles in the financial sector, including serving as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maybank Investment Bank and Group CEO of CIMB Group. He was appointed a senator in the Dewan Negara in 2020 and served as Minister of Finance from 2021. An avid marathon runner, he has been actively involved in sports events. In 2021, he was appointed a board member of the Supporting Committee for the RMAFVR and was subsequently commissioned as a military officer by the King of Malaysia, receiving the rank of captain.[17]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The second youngest, if the coast guard is considered a military organisation. In some countries, such as the United States, the coast guard is classified as part of the armed forces. The Malaysia Coast Guard Volunteer Force, established in 2017, is the youngest militarised volunteer force in Malaysia.
  2. ^ The Director of the Air Force Reserve also serves as its Chief of Staff. The individual holding this position currently holds the highest executive rank within the Air Force Reserve, until such time as the organisation is expanded back to its previous size.
  3. ^ Reservist and non-administration staff attached to the headquarters
  4. ^ In Malay nobility, the prefix Tengku, along with its variations such as Tunku and Tengkuh, can be translated as "Royal Prince". As a formal title, it is equivalent to "Prince" in English. For example, Tengku Abdul Samad Shah may be referred to as Prince Abdul Samad Shah in English-speaking contexts.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Armed Forces Reserve Division (2014-04-17). "Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia" [Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve]. Bahagian Pasukan Simpanan ATM (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2024-06-06. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  2. ^ Malaysian Armed Forces (2025-01-04). "Perbarisan Serah Terima Tugas Pengarah Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara" [Change of command parade for the Director of Air Force Reserve]. Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  3. ^ Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters (2012-12-06). "PSSTUDM Distrukturkan" [RMAFVR Restructured]. Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara (in Malay). Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  4. ^ a b Air Force Reserve Headquarters (2020-11-23). "Taklimat Detasmen PSSTUDM" [RMAFVR Detachment Briefing]. Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara (in Malay). Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  5. ^ a b c Royal Malaysian Air Force (2019-05-29). "Kunjungan Persaraan Asisten Panglima Markas Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara" [Retirement Visit of the Assistant Chief of Air Force Reserve]. Royal Malaysian Air Force (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  6. ^ Air Force Reserve Headquarters (2019-11-28). "Ambil Alih Kompleks Baru" [Take Over New Complex]. Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara (in Malay). Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  7. ^ Malaysian Armed Forces (2022). Laporan Tahunan ATM 2021 [2021 MAF Annual Report] (in Malay). Kuala Lumpur: National Library of Malaysia. p. 208. ISSN 2462-2427.
  8. ^ a b Royal Malaysian Air Force (2025-02-21). "Bengkel Kertas Kerja Ke Arah Usaha Merialisasikan Pewujudan Unit Detasmen Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela TUDM (PSSTU)" [Workshop on efforts to realise the establishment of an RMAF Volunteer Reserve (RMAFVR) Detachment Unit]. tudmrasmi (in Malay). Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  9. ^ a b c "Female engineer conquers male-dominated field". The Malaysian Reserve. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  10. ^ a b c d e Ministry of Defence. "Kertas Putih Pertahanan" [Defence White Paper] (PDF). mod.gov.my (in Malay). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-05-30. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  11. ^ Air Force Reserve Headquarters (2025-02-27). "Lawatan Pengarah Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara (MPSTU) Ke Latihan Kem Tahunan Palapes Udara UiTM Dan UIAM" [Visit of the Director of Air Force Reserve (MPSTU) to the UiTM and UIAM Air Force ROTU's Annual Camp Training]. airforce.mil.my (in Malay). Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  12. ^ a b Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara (2019-09-09). "Program Penyesuaian Pasukan Khas TUDM" [RMAF Special Forces Adaptation Program]. Pasukan Simpanan Tentera Udara (in Malay). Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  13. ^ University of Nottingham Malaysia (2020-06-03). "UNM Researcher First Academic from a Private University Conferred Prestigious Title by Royal Malaysian Air Force". University of Nottingham - Malaysia Campus. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  14. ^ Astro AWANI (2012-09-19). Nicol David Dianugerah Mejar Kehormat [Nicol David Conferred Honorary Major] (in Malay). Retrieved 2025-07-25 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ Royal Malaysian Air Force (2015-12-15). "Tahniah diucapkan kpd YAM Tengku Panglima Besar Selangor di atas kenaikan pangkat Brigedier Jeneral Kehormat PSSTUDM" [Congratulations to HH Tengku Panglima Besar of Selangor on the promotion to Honorary Brigadier General RMAFVR]. tudm_rasmi (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  16. ^ Royal Malaysian Air Force (2022-01-13). "Pemakaian Pangkat Tauliah Kehormat Jawatankuasa Pendukung Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (PSSTUDM)" [Conferment of Honorary Rank for the Royal Malaysian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RMAFVR) Supporting Committee]. tudmrasmi (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  17. ^ Royal Malaysian Air Force (2021-04-06). "Pemakaian Pangkat Tauliah Kehormat Jawatankuasa Pendukung Angkatan Sukarela Persekutuan" [Conferment of Honorary Rank for the Federation Volunteer Forces Supporting Committee]. airforce.mil.my (in Malay). Retrieved 2025-07-25.
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