In 2005, a historic milestone occurred in the Malaysian Army when the 8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment (8 RRD Para) integrated its first group of female soldiers into combat-related roles.
The Pioneer Female Paratroopers (2005–2008)
To test the effectiveness of women in airborne combat roles, the Malaysian Army allowed a select group of female soldiers to undergo the rigorous Airborne School and the Basic Rapid Deployment Course (Kursus Asas Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat – APAC) of the 10th Parachute Brigade.
Quantity: 10 women successfully passed the course.
Attachment: They were experimentally attached to the 8 RRD (Para) from December 30, 2005, to August 2, 2008.
Significance: These women were pioneers, as 8 RRD (Para) is a "specialized" unit within the 10th Parachute Brigade (the Rapid Deployment Force/PAC). At the time, they were the only women to serve in such a capacity within this traditionally male-dominated infantry environment.
Commemoration
Because of their groundbreaking contributions, the names of these 10 pioneer female paratroopers are reportedly commemorated on a memorial placard (memorial placard/plak peringatan) within the unit's premises at Wellington Camp, Terendak, Melaka.
Context of 8 RRD Para
The 8th Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment is unique because:
It was the first infantry unit in Malaysia to transition from a conventional role to an Airborne (Parachute) role.
It is known for its elite status, symbolized by the Maroon Beret and the Parachute Wings.
The regiment has a rich history of valor, including famous members like Warrant Officer I Kanang anak Langkau, the most decorated soldier in Malaysian history.
In 2005, the Malaysian Army embarked on a trial to integrate women into its elite airborne infantry unit. This pioneer group consisted of 10 women who were experimentally attached to the 8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment (8 RRD Para) between December 30, 2005, and August 2, 2008.
The Pioneer Names
The names of these ten women are preserved on a memorial placard at Wellington Camp, Terendak, Melaka, to recognize their historic role:
- Ranger Hazlinah Saiful
- Ranger Quenty Ajie
- Ranger Pria Grey
- Ranger Agilendeswiraraj Moganaraja
- Ranger Norbaizura Md Nordi
- Ranger Noreen A. Kadir
- Ranger Nurul Sakinnah Ahmad
- Ranger Rosmidah Suman
- Ranger Siti Hajar Yaakub (Tragically killed in the line of duty)
- Ranger Suraya Ali
Note of Remembrance: One of these pioneers, Ranger Siti Hajar Yaakub, passed away on December 2, 2007. She died due to drowning during a parachute rehearsal for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition.
Training at the Airborne School
To earn their place in 8 RRD Para, these women had to complete the same grueling requirements as their male counterparts:
Basic Parachute Course: Conducted at the Special Warfare Training Centre (PULPAK) in Melaka, this course involves intensive ground training, tower jumps, and finally, five live aircraft jumps (including a night jump and a jump with full combat gear).
The "Blood Wing" (Sayap Berdarah): Upon graduation, they were awarded the parachute wings. In 10 Para Brigade culture, this is known as the "Blood Wing" to symbolize the sacrifice and physical toll required to earn it.
PAC Orientation Course: They also had to pass the Basic Rapid Deployment Course (Kursus Asas Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat – APAC) and the Pegasus (Maroon Beret) selection. This includes the "Waja" (Iron Spirit) phase, involving 12km speed marches, swamp navigation, and "war exercises" designed to test mental and physical limits.
Experimental Role: Their attachment to 8 RRD Para was part of a study to determine if women could be permanently integrated into front-line airborne infantry roles. While the specific experiment ended in 2008, it paved the way for women to serve in various supporting and specialized roles within the 10th Parachute Brigade today.
The 8th Battalion, Royal Ranger Regiment (Para), or 8 RRD Para, is one of the most distinguished units in the Malaysian Army. Its history is a blend of Iban warrior traditions and modern elite airborne capabilities.
1. History of 8 RRD Para: From Jungle to Sky
The battalion’s roots are deeply tied to the history of Sarawak and the Iban trackers who served during the Malayan Emergency.
- Formation (1973): The unit was officially established on March 1, 1973, initially as a training center specifically for Sarawakian recruits. It was later converted into a full infantry battalion.
- The Ranger Identity: Unlike other Malaysian units, a private in this regiment is officially addressed as a "Ranger." They are the only unit authorized to wear the Black Hackle (feather) on their berets.
- Combat Valor: The battalion became legendary during the insurgency era. Its most famous member, Warrant Officer I Kanang anak Langkau, is the only person to receive Malaysia’s two highest gallantry awards: the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) and the Pingat Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB).
- Becoming "Para" (1987–1994): On January 1, 1987, 8 RRD was selected to become Malaysia’s first experimental airborne infantry unit. This led to the formation of the 10th Parachute Brigade (the Rapid Deployment Force) in 1994, where 8 RRD Para remains a core combat element.
2. Current Roles of Women in the 10th Parachute Brigade
Today, the 10th Parachute Brigade is the only elite unit in the Malaysian Armed Forces that maintains an open path for women to earn the Maroon Beret.
While the 2005 "pioneer group" you mentioned was an experimental combat attachment, the current role of women is more integrated across the Brigade’s specialized support functions:
| Role Category | Details |
| Medical & Nursing | Female officers and medics from the Royal Medical Corps attached to 10 Para must pass the same airborne requirements to deploy with the brigade. |
| Logistics & Admin | Women serve in the 10th Field Workshop and support companies, ensuring the brigade's rapid deployment readiness. |
| Intelligence & Comms | Roles within the 10th Squadron Royal Signals and intelligence cells include female personnel who are jump-qualified. |
| Humanitarian Missions | Female paratroopers are frequently deployed in international UN peacekeeping (like MALBATT in Lebanon) and disaster relief missions. |
Key Requirements for Women Today
To serve in any capacity within the 10th Parachute Brigade, women must still pass:
Basic Parachute Course: Five jumps from a C-130 or A400M aircraft.
APAC (Basic Rapid Deployment Course): A grueling selection that includes "The Swamp" phase and long-distance speed marches with heavy loads.
Legacy Fact: The Dewan Siti Hajar (Siti Hajar Hall) at the 10 Para Brigade headquarters is named in honor of Ranger Siti Hajar Yaakub, one of the 2005 pioneers who died during a parachute display rehearsal.
Ranger Siti Hajar binti Yaakub is remembered as a hero within the 10th Parachute Brigade. She was a pioneer who broke barriers for women in the Malaysian elite forces.
As mentioned previously, she tragically passed away on December 2, 2007, at the age of 24, during a parachute training exercise for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition. Her parachute became entangled with another jumper, leading to a fatal fall into the sea.
In her honor, the Dewan Siti Hajar (Siti Hajar Hall) at the 10 Para Brigade headquarters was named after her to ensure her legacy and the "Waja" (Iron Spirit) of female paratroopers is never forgotten.
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