Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (Malaysia)

The Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (Malay: Sarjan Mejar Rejimen Tentera Darat; abbreviated SMR TD; Jawi: سرجن ميجر ريجيمن تنترا دارت‎) is the highest appointment attainable within the other ranks of the Malaysian Army. The office holder serves as the principal adviser to the Chief of Army on matters concerning other ranks and acts as their representative within Army Headquarters. The Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army is based at Wisma Kementah, popularly known as Wisma Pertahanan, the administrative centre of the Malaysian Armed Forces.^[1][2]

The appointment is held by a Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1; Malay: Pegawai Waran 1, abbreviated PW1). Together with the Chief of Army and the Deputy Chief of Army, the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army also undertakes ceremonial duties, representing the army at state and military events.^[3]

The current holder is Warrant Officer Class 1 Mohamad Fauzi A. Rahman, who assumed the appointment on 5 April 2024, succeeding Warrant Officer Class 1 Shahamrie Abdullah, who was promoted to become the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Malaysian Armed Forces.^[4]

Malaysia, as a Commonwealth country, inherited many military traditions from the British Armed Forces. In the British Army and the Royal Marines, the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major is reserved for senior enlisted with the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1. The Royal Air Force follows the same tradition, as it was originally part of the British Army before becoming a separate service in 1918.^[5]

In Malaysia, prior to 1982, individual corps and regiments of the Malaysian Army each appointed their own regimental sergeant major. These positions were largely honorary, with responsibilities focused primarily on ceremonial duties such as maintaining discipline within their corps or regiment and overseeing parades. On 1 January 1982, inspired by the model of the United States Army's Sergeant Major of the Army, the appointment of the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army was formally established. This centralised the corps and regimental sergeant majors under a single authority, making the office the representative of all other ranks in the army and the principal adviser to the Chief of Army on matters concerning them.^[6]

The first Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army was Warrant Officer Class 1 Ahmad Mohd Alim.^[2]

As of August 2025, ten individuals have been appointed as Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army since the establishment of the position in 1982. The list is as follows:^[2][4]