The Joint Forces Headquarters (
Abbr.: JFHQ, ms, Markas Angkatan Bersama — MAB,
Jawi: ''مركس اڠكتن برسام'') is a joint military command which specifically formed to command all tasks of the
Malaysian Armed Forces
The Malaysian Armed Forces (: MAF; ms, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia; Jawi: ), are the armed forces of Malaysia, consists of three branches; the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The number of MAF active per ...
joint operations. The Joint Operations are other operations performed by at least three services such as
Malaysian Army
The Malaysian Army ( ms, Tentera Darat Malaysia; Jawi: تنترا دارت مليسيا) is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ () as do t ...
,
Royal Malaysian Navy
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN, ms, Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia; TLDM; Jawi: ) is the naval arm of the Malaysian Armed Forces. RMN is the main agency responsible for the country's maritime surveillance and defense operations. RMN's area of o ...
and the
Royal Malaysian Air Force
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF, ms, Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia; TUDM; Jawi: ) was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (; ). However, its roots can be traced back to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force format ...
.
The JFHQ which currently led by
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
Dato’ Haji Yazid bin Haji Arshad as the Joint Force Commander () is responsible for planning and implementing all the joint and combined operations, joint exercises and Multi-National Operations, such as the
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizi ...
(UN) peacekeeping missions. The JFHQ as like any other joint forces adopts the assigned concept.
History
Establishment of JFHQ

The history of the JFHQ began when the proposal for its establishment was approved on 20 April 2004.
JFHQ was launched by
Najib Razak
Dato' Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak ( ms, محمد نجيب بن عبد الرزاق, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset, ; born 23 July 1953) is a Malaysian politician who served as the 6th prime minister of Malaysi ...
, the then-
Deputy Prime Minister
A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some countries, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president, ...
cum
Minister of Defence
A defence minister or minister of defence is a cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defense, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from country to country; in som ...
, 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 Mohamed Ali, was appointed as the JFHQ Commander from 6 September 2004 on an ad hoc basis.
The Chief of MAF Staff, Lieutenant General Datuk Hj Shahron Hj Ibrahim RMAF then appointed the JFHQ Commander post effectively from 1 December 2006.
After the JFHQ organisation was officially established, Major General Dato' Allatif Mohd Noor took over the command of the JFHQ. With a total strength of 312 officers and personnel, 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 Defence Forces in terms of governance and control operations at the highest levels of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
The 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
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizi ...
(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 a budgetary constraint. For that, JFHQ is focused on the concept of “fit for the purpose” or enabling a capability that fulfils 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.
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 a budgetary constraint. For that, JFHQ is focused on the concept of “fit for the purpose” or enabling a capability that fulfils 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.
Timeline
20 April 2004 – Its establishment was approved by the
Malaysian Armed Forces Council
The Malaysian Armed Forces Council is a Malaysian military body established under Article 137 of the Constitution of Malaysia and is the constitutional body responsible (under the general authority of the King as Supreme Commander) for the comma ...
during the council's 340th meeting.
6 September 2004 – The JFHQ was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Defence,
Najib Razak
Dato' Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak ( ms, محمد نجيب بن عبد الرزاق, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset, ; born 23 July 1953) is a Malaysian politician who served as the 6th prime minister of Malaysi ...
.
16 July 2007 – Officially established after has been approved by the
Public Service Department.
19 July 2012 – The JFHQ has been recognised by the UN.
25 June 2019 – The HQ for JFHQ was relocated from the Wisma Pertahanan,
Kuala Lumpur
, anthem = ''Maju dan Sejahtera''
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia
, pushpin_map_caption =
, coordinates =
, sub ...
to a newly built facility, the JFHQ Complex, located at
Sungai Panching Camp in
Kuantan
Kuantan ( Jawi: ) is a city and the state capital of Pahang, Malaysia. It is located near the mouth of the Kuantan River. Kuantan is the 18th largest city in Malaysia based on 2010 population, and the largest city in the East Coast of Penin ...
, Pahang.
Roles
The role of JFHQ as an Operational Level Command is responsible for planning and executing all the Joint Operation, which is likely to be a potentially joint operation, the combined operation, integrated operations and multinationals such as operations under the UN Charter.
Functions
# As an Operational Headquarters is responsible for command, control and manage Assigned Forces to undertake of the Joint/Combined operations.
# Plan and implement integration forces exercises for assigned forces for the purpose of Joint/Combined operating.
# Establish Situational Awareness for Joint/Combined operations.
# Formulate and update the doctrine and the Standing Operation Procedure (SOP) of Joint Warfare.
# Planning and implementation of all the Joint Bilateral and multilateral levels.
# Deployed and administered all military personnel who perform duties under the charter of the Association of the United Nations (UN).
Organizational structure
The JFHQ is led by Joint Forces Commander and supported by Joint Forces Chief-of-Staff. Under them, there is eight main divisions.
Joint Force Commander
Also known as the Chief of Joint Forces, and ''Panglima Angkatan Bersama'' (PAB) in the 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
An officer of three-star rank is a senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO code of OF-8. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members. Typically, three-star officers hold the ...
selected between all three branches of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
Joint Force Chief-of-Staff
Known as ''Ketua Staf Angkatan Bersama'' (KS MK AB) in the Malay Language, the KS MK AB is a
two-star rank
An officer of two-star rank is a senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO code of OF-7. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members. Typically, two-star officers hold the 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 is led by a senior officer with the rank of
Colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...
for the army and air forces or
Captain
Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
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
Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for abstraction, logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It can be described as the a ...
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 (). Led by a senior officer with the rank of
Colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...
or its
navy equivalent, this division is also tasked to conduct talks about intelligence awareness and performing physical patrol in sensitive Joint Force premises to avoid any possible leakage.
The J2 is responsible to perform intelligence exchange between foreign intelligence agencies and also other Malaysian government agencies. The J2 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
Counterintelligence is an activity aimed at protecting an agency's intelligence program from an opposition's intelligence service. It includes gathering information and conducting activities to prevent espionage, sabotage, assassinations or o ...
/Security Cell
*
Psychological Warfare
Psychological warfare (PSYWAR), or the basic aspects of modern psychological operations (PsyOp), have been known by many other names or terms, including Military Information Support Operations ( MISO), Psy Ops, political warfare, "Hearts and ...
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
An officer of one-star rank is a senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO code of OF-6. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members. Typically, one-star officers hold the rank ...
. The J3 is composed of four cells:
Cell A – Domestic Operations
In charge of monitoring all Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) domestic, joint, combined and integrated operations. This cell also monitors all standalone operations conducted by any branches of MAF.
Cell B – Global Operations
In charge of making the assessment for MAF involvements in
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizi ...
(UN) Peacekeeping Operations in terms of
UN Military Observer, UN Battalion, UN HQ Staff and UN Technical Staff.
This cell offering to any MAF personnel to be a Military Observer Officer, or as a Liaison Officer in the
United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations
The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) (French: ''Département des opérations de maintien de la paix'') is a department of the United Nations charged with the planning, preparation, management and direction of UN peacekeeping operations. Pr ...
(UNDPKO) in
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
, or any operations by the UN.
Joint Exercise Department

In charge of conducting any joint and combined exercise between the Malaysian Armed Forces and foreign military forces. This cell is responsible for planning, coordinate and adjust all Exercise Planning Meetings () and act as a secretariat to the joint and combined exercise.
Cell D – Special Forces Operations
In charge of planning, coordinate, execute and monitor all
special operations
Special operations (S.O.) are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment". Special operations may include ...
involving two or more branches of the MAF. Cell D also in charge of uniting and coordinating all MAF needs in special operations.
J4 – Logistic Support Division
This division is led by a one-star rank. The J4 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 their 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. The J5 also tasked with formulating MAF defence contingency plans at the operational stage that involves all three branches of MAF, Malaysian government agencies and foreign agencies. The J5 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. The J6 also tasked to coordinate the needs of
Electronics
The field of electronics is a branch of physics and electrical engineering that deals with the emission, behaviour and effects of electrons using electronic devices. Electronics uses active devices to control electron flow by amplification ...
and
Cyber Warfare
Cyberwarfare is the use of cyber attacks against an enemy state, causing comparable harm to actual warfare and/or disrupting vital computer systems. Some intended outcomes could be espionage, sabotage, propaganda, manipulation or economic wa ...
. The J6 is led by a one-star rank.
J7 – Joint Exercise Division

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, the 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.
Field Training Exercises
Some of the exercises handled and executed by the JFHQ's J7 including:
Aman Youyi
The ''Exercise Aman Youyi'' is a bilateral military exercise between the MAF and the Chinese
People Liberation Army. It is held annually since 2014. In Aman Youyi 2018, the Royal Thai Armed Forces take part in the exercise.
Bersama Shield
The ''Exercise Bersama Shield'' is a multilateral military exercise between the five countries of
Five Power Defence Arrangements, which are Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and United Kingdom. It is held annually in Malaysia and Singapore.
Bersama Warrior
The ''Exercise Bersama Warrior'' is an annual joint bilateral exercise between the countries of Malaysia and the United States designed to develop and improve their collective capacity to plan and conduct joint and combined operations. It is focused on Non–Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO), Personnel Recovery (PR), Counter-Terrorism (CT), Maritime Security and Humanitarian Support Operation.
CARAT Malaysia
The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, known as ''Exercise CARAT'', is a series of annual bilateral military exercises conducted by the United States Pacific Fleet with several member nations of
ASEAN
ASEAN ( , ), officially the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a Political union, political and economic union of 10 member Sovereign state, states in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental coo ...
in Southeast Asia. The MAF has been part of Exercise CARAT since 1995.
The CARAT hosted by Malaysia is known as ''CARAT Malaysia'' and it is focused on strengthening the capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and MAF maritime assets and also the partnership between the RMN, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines.
Cobra Gold
The ''Exercise Cobra Gold'' is the largest military exercise in the
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific (APAC) is the part of the world near the western Pacific Ocean. The Asia-Pacific region varies in area depending on context, but it generally includes East Asia, Russian Far East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and Pacific Isla ...
region, hosted by the
Royal Thai Armed Forces
The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) ( th, กองทัพไทย; ) are the armed forces of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The nominal head of the Thai Armed Forces (จอมทัพไทย; ) is the King of Thailand. The armed forces are ...
and the
United States Indo-Pacific Command
United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) is a unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for the Indo-Pacific region.
Formerly known as United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) since its inception in 1947, t ...
. It is held annually in Thailand and involves seven nations including Malaysia.
Joint Combined Exercise Thailand Malaysia
The Joint Combined Exercise Thailand Malaysia, known as ''JCEX THAMAL'', is a bilateral military exercise between the countries of Malaysia and Thailand. It is focused on operations during a natural disaster and involves
disaster relief
Emergency management or disaster management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency management, despite its name, does not actuall ...
NGOs and teams such as the
SMART
Smart or SMART may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Smart'' (Hey! Say! JUMP album), 2014
* Smart (Hotels.com), former mascot of Hotels.com
* ''Smart'' (Sleeper album), 1995 debut album by Sleeper
* '' SMart'', a children's television se ...
. It is held in northern Malaysia.
Malindo Darsasa
The ''Latihan Gabungan Bersama Darat Samudera Angkasa'' Malaysia-Indonesia (), known with its acronym ''Latgabma Malindo Darsasa'', is a bilateral military exercise between the countries of Malaysia and Indonesia. It is focused on the corporation between the two nation's military if a disaster (war or natural) happened. It is held once every three years.
Tiger Strike
The ''Exercise Tiger Strike'' is a bilateral military exercise between the countries of Malaysia and the United States and focused on amphibious operations. It is used to familiarise the 7th and 22nd Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment in amphibious landing, and improve communication and coordination during amphibious operations. It is to prepare the battalions with
marine infantry
Marines, or naval infantry, are typically a military force trained to operate in littoral zones in support of naval operations. Historically, tasks undertaken by marines have included helping maintain discipline and order aboard the ship (refle ...
roles and also be attached to the
U.S. Marine Corps if needed to. The battalions are assisted by the Royal Malaysian Air Force and special operations element from the RMN PASKAL.
Operations
Operation Pasir
On the local operation, JFHQ is responsible for the implementation Operations of Pandanan And Sipadan Island Resort or popularly known by Operation 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.
Operation PASIR area covers the whole east coast of Sabah from
Kudat
Kudat ( ms, Pekan Kudat) is the capital of the Kudat District in the Kudat Division of Sabah, Malaysia. Its population was estimated to be around 29,025 in 2010. It is located on the Kudat Peninsula, about north of Kota Kinabalu, the state ...
to
Semporna which includes the Malaysian Exclusive Economic Zone waters and Sabah airspace bordering the South China Sea to the
Sulu Sea
The Sulu Sea ( fil, Dagat Sulu; Tausug: ''Dagat sin Sūg''; Chavacano: ''Mar de Sulu''; Cebuano: ''Dagat sa Sulu''; Hiligaynon: ''Dagat sang Sulu''; Karay-a: ''Dagat kang Sulu''; Cuyonon: ''Dagat i'ang Sulu''; ms, Laut Sulu) is a body ...
and the Sulawesi Sea at the east. The main mission of Operation PASIR is to create a safe and secure environment in the East Coast of Sabah to protect national sovereignty and create conditions conducive to economic activity.
Operation Daratan
Operation Daratan () is almost similar with Operation Pasir. Both operations are conducted at East Coast Sabah, however, as its name suggests, Operation Daratan is more towards the inland. Additional two battalions are stationed at East Sabah under the Operation Daratan, and together with the Operation Pasir, a total of five battalions are stationed there. Three of the five battalions is special operations battalions.
Overseas Operations
On the overseas operations, the 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 discipline of MAF members during their assignment.
Among the foreign missions being undertaken by the MAF such as:
# United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
# Operation of Interim National Support and Assistance to Afghanistan (Op INSAF)
# International Monitoring Team – Mindanao
List of Joint Force Commanders
Temporary Commanders
Commanders
See also
*
Ministry of Defence Malaysia
The Ministry of Defence ( ms, Kementerian Pertahanan), abbreviated MINDEF, KEMENTAH, is a ministry of the Government of Malaysia that is responsible for defence, national security, army, navy, hydrography, air force, armed forces, intelligence s ...
*
CANSOFCOM
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM; french: links=no, Commandement des Forces d'opérations spéciales du Canada; COMFOSCAN) is a command of the Canadian Armed Forces. It is responsible for all special forces operations that ar ...
*
INSFOC
*
United States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM) is the unified combatant command charged with overseeing the various special operations component commands of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force of the United States A ...
(USSOCOM)
References
External links
{{Military of Malaysia
Military of Malaysia
Military units and formations established in 2004
Ministry of Defence (Malaysia)
Joint service commands (military formations)