Joint Forces Command, Malaysia

Establishment of JFHQ

Major General Dato' Allatif Mohd Noor, former Joint Forces Commander gives closing speech during CARAT Malaysia 2009 closing ceremony.

The history of the JFHQ began when the proposal for its establishment was approved on 20 April 2004. JFHQ was launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence on 6 September 2004 and is designed to meet the needs of the establishment of a Joint Force Headquarters. At that time, The Chief of Staff of Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters, Vice Admiral Dato’ Ramlan Bin Mohamed Ali, was also appointed as the JFHQ Commander from 6 September 2004 on and ad hocs basis. Chief of MAF Staff, Lieutenant-General Datuk Hj Shahron bin Hj Ibrahim RMAF then appointed the JFHQ Commander post effectively from 1 December 2006.^[2][3]

After the JFHQ organisation was officially established, Major General Dato' Allatif Bin Mohd Noor took over the command of the JFHQ. With a total strength of 312 officers and personnels, this command has been carrying out the tasks entrusted by the Jointness concept which is three services is designed to perform its functions more effectively in assisting the Chief of the Armed Forces in terms of governance and control operations at the highest levels of MAF.^[2]

JFHQ serves as the operational level of command responsible for planning and implementing all the joint operation, which is likely to be a potentially joint, the combined operation and such multinational security operations under the charter of the Organisation of the United Nations (UN). In addition, the headquarters is also responsible for implementing all the Joint Training/Exercise. Other than managing current operations, JFHQ is also responsible to give input on the preparation for future capability development. In fulfilling that need, one current challenge that has to be taken into account is budgetary constraint. For that, JFHQ is focused on the concept of “fit for the purpose” or enabling a capability that fulfil the true requirement as well as a balanced capability development that also takes into account the aspect of interoperability. This is to make sure that any capability developed in the future contribute to the effective execution of the operation and the limited budget can be spent in the most optimal manner.^[2]

Other than managing current operations, JFHQ is also responsible to give input on the preparation for future capability development. In fulfilling that need, one current challenge that has to be taken into account is budgetary constraint. For that, JFHQ is focused on the concept of “fit for the purpose” or enabling a capability that fulfills the true requirement as well as a balanced capability development that also takes into account the aspect of interoperability. This is to make sure that any capability developed in the future contribute to the effective execution of the operation and the limited budget can be spent in the most optimal manner.^[2]

Joint Forces Commander

Also known as Chief of Joint Forces, and Panglima Angkatan Bersama (PAB) in Malay Language, the PAB is in charge of the entire forces and directly report to the minister of defence and Chief of Defence Forces. The PAB is a three-star rank selected between all three branches of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).

Joint Forces Chief-of-Staff

Known as Ketua Staf Angkatan Bersama (KS MK AB) in Malay Language, the KS MK AB is a two-star rank selected between all three branches of MAF.

J1 – Human Resources Division

This division is tasked to manage the joint force personnel, the members' distribution and management in terms of individual aspects including discipline, morale, welfare, religion and legislation in a time of war or peace for the 'assigned forces' attached to the Joint Forces Command. The J1 Division is led by a senior officer with rank of Colonel for army and air forces or Captain for the navy.

The division is in charge of three departments:

• Human Resources Department
• Religious Service Department
• Legislation Department

J2 – Intelligence Division

This division is tasked to perform intelligence operations in time of peace and war, and to invent or create products used for intelligence activities in order to satisfy the Joint Force needs. This division is responsible to regularly report the daily intelligence to the Defence Operation Centre (Malay: Pusat Operasi Pertahanan — POP). Led by a senior officer with rank of Colonel or its navy equivalent, this division is also tasked to conduct talk about intelligence awareness and performing physical patrol in sensitive Joint Force premises to avoid any possible leakage.

The J2 Division is responsible to perform intelligence exchange between foreign intelligence agencies and also other Malaysian government agencies. J2 Division is a part of Sabah multiple government agencies joint intelligence – the Joint Intelligence Working Group (JIWG).

The division is in charge of these departments:

• Regional Intelligence Cell/International Intelligence Unit
• Domestic Intelligence Cell
• Counter-intelligence/Security Cell
• Psychological Warfare Cell

J3 – Joint Operation Division

One of the largest division in the JFHQ. This division is led by a two-star rank and assisted by a one-star rank. J3 is composed of four cells:

Joint Exercise Department

PASKAL flex-cuffed the suspect during the SEACAT 2010 demonstrations with US Coast Guard.

In charge of conducting any joint and combined exercise between Malaysian Armed Forces and foreign military forces. This cell is responsible for planning, coordinate and adjust all Exercise Planning Meetings (Malay: Mensyuarat Perancangan Eksesais) and act as a secretariat to the joint and combined exercise.

J4 – Logistic Support Division

This division is led by a one-star rank. J4 Division is composed of four departments:

Logistic Planning Department

In charge of providing logistic supports for joint/combined operation and exercise within the country or overseas between the MAF and foreign military forces.

Materials Support Department

In charge of providing and coordinate in terms of logistic support aspects of the joint/combined forces. This department also acts as a coordinator in supplying logistic demands to the 'assigned forces' that involved in joint/combined operations and exercise in terms of raise, train and maintain theirs personnel.

Transportation Department

In charge of planning and managing transportation and mobility sources for joint/combined operations and exercise that involves JFHQ either from the MAF, private or foreign source. This department also tasked as coordinator for all types of transportation either air, land or sea for joint, combined and multinational operations/exercises within the country or overseas.

Financial Department

In charge of obtaining the budget and processing all financial requirements involving the operations/exercise or any related activities such as an allowance for the MAF personnel on duty under the UN.

J5 – Planning/Coordination Division

In charge of drafting the policies involves joint military operations. J5 also tasked with formulating MAF defence contingency plans at operational stage that involves all three branches of MAF, Malaysian government agencies and foreign agencies. J5 Division is led by a two-star rank and composed of two departments:

• Department of Planning
• Department of Development

J6 – Joint Communication and Electronics Division

In charge of supplying the communications for all MAF operations. J6 also tasked to coordinate the needs of Electronics and Cyber Warfare. J7 Division is led by one-star rank.

J7 – Joint Exercise Division

Paratroopers from the 10th Parachute Brigade board the USS Tortuga (LSD 46) to participate in a joint amphibious landing during CARAT exercise.

In charge of handling and execute the large scale joint exercise between all three branches of MAF and large scale combined exercise between the MAF and military of friendly nations. Led by a one-star rank, some of the exercises handled by J7 is Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). J7 is composed of two cells:

• Joint Exercise Cell
• Combined Exercise Cell

J9 – Military Health Division

In charge of monitoring and coordinate health affairs for the Ops Pasir and other MAF overseas missions.

Op Pasir

On the local operation, JFHQ is responsible for the implementation Operations of Pandanan And Sipadan Island Resort or popularly known by Op PASIR. This operation is a joint operation involving the assets of the three services in the East Sabah area under the command of Joint Task Force 2 Commander.

Op PASIR area covers the whole east coast of Sabah from Kudat to Semporna which includes the Malaysian Exclusive Economic Zone waters and Sabah airspace bordering the South China Sea to the Sulu Sea and the Sulawesi Sea at the east. The main mission of Op PASIR is create a safe and secure environment in East Coast of Sabah to protect national sovereignty and create conditions conducive to economic activity.

Op Daratan

Op Daratan (lit. Inland Operation) is almost similar with Op Pasir. Both operations are conducted at East Coast Sabah, however, as its name suggests, Op Daratan is more towards inland. Additional two battalions are stationed at East Sabah under the Op Daratan, and together with the Op Pasir, total five battalions are stationed there. Three of the five battalions is special operations.^[12]

Overseas Operation

On the overseas operations, presence of the MAF increasingly felt by the world community. Involvement of military personnel in the mission of the UN has raised the image of the MAF in particular and the country in general through the ability, the dedication, commitment and high disciplaine of members MAF during their assignment.

Among the foreign missions being undertaken by the MAF such as:

1. United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
2. Operation of Interim National Support and Assistance to Afghanistan (Op INSAF)
3. International Monitoring Team – Mindanao