Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment

The Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment (Malay: Pancaragam Pusat Rejimen Melayu Diraja, PPRAMD) is the official central band of the Malaysian Army's Royal Malay Regiment that is dedicated to providing ceremonial honours and music to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. It is the Army's seniormost band. It is considered the equivalent to the 5 regimental bands of the Foot Guards.

Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment
Pancaragam Pusat Rejimen Melayu Diraja
A drummer of the band during the Hari Merdeka celebrations in Sabah.
Country Malaysia
Branch Malaysian Army
TypeMilitary band
Part ofRoyal Malay Regiment
Garrison/HQKuala Lumpur
AnniversariesNovember 23
Commanders
Notable
commanders
  • Captain Edgar Lenthall[1]
  • Major Muhammad Nor Azizan Yaha
Insignia
AcronymPPRAMD

Characteristics

As a Commonwealth member, Malaysia sports military bands that are very similar to the British as well as other commonwealth countries. This is especially true in the case of the Band of the Royal Malay Regiment, which fields their percussion section (specifically snare drums) at the front similar to the Royal Marines. It is also of the few commonwealth military bands that use sousaphones when on parade, with others including New Zealand, Singapore and Fiji.

Obligations
The combined band on Horse Guards Parade.

Among their obligations are the following:

  • Maintain a musical presence at military parades
  • Honoring foreign heads of state on their state visits to Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
  • Support the everyday ceremonial activities of the Regiment
  • Support the all ceremonial activities of the state
  • Performing drill at military tattoos domestically and internationally

In 2008, the PPRAMD was invited to perform in the United Kingdom, performing at Royal Tattoo at Windsor Castle, at the Household Division Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade, and the mounting of the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace.[2] Domestically, the PPRAMD was responsible for according state visits for foreign leaders, such as King Salman, President Emmanuel Macron[3], and President Barack Obama[4]. During all of the arrival honors for the mentioned leaders, Menjunjung Duli was played by the PPRAMD during the inspection of the guard of honour. In supporting all events of national importance, the PPRAMD is always seen at high level occasions, such as the Installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Opening of Parliament.

Organization

Pipes and Drums

The Pipes and Drums of the Central Band is made up of personnel who belong to the Malacca-based 5th Battalion, RMR and is platoon-sized. It was founded in 1953 when an officer of the King's Own Scottish Borderers (an affiliated British Regiment) was seconded to form a pipe platoon. The officer, who was in fact Scottish himself, introduced the ethnically Malay members of the regiment to bagpipe training. At present, the pipes and drums of the current Royal Regiment of Scotland and the RMR have maintained their historical alliance alongside the larger regiment. The platoon has done many events, being invited to the Edinburgh Festival many times, with the last time being in January 1990, on the occasion of the KOSB’s 300th regimental anniversary.[5]

References
  1. "History of the Royal Cavalry Corps, 1952-1980". Sally Printing Services. 17 March 1982 – via Google Books.
  2. "Sepanjang kompeni berkenaan berada di sana, mereka turut dijemput mengadakan persembahan sempena 1st. Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo 2008, Household Division Beating Retreat 2008, Royal Anglian Regiment Beating Retreat 2008 dan menyaksikan raptai penuh perbarisan hari ulang Tahun Ratu Elizabeth II". utusan.com.
  3. March 2017, Published 1 year ago on 28. "French president accorded state welcome - Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com.
  4. https://www.nst.com.my/node/215482/amp
  5. http://army.mod.gov.my/buletin_td/news_item.asp?NewsID=225
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