Malaysian Scouts Association, officially known as the Scouts Association of Malaysia[3] (Malay: Persatuan Pengakap Malaysia), is the largest informal youth and educational organisation in Malaysia, and member of World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).[4][5]
The centenary monument of Scout Movement in memory of Rev. Thomas Cecil Alexander at Sandakan, Sabah.
Scouting in Malaya (now Malaysia) was first introduced in Penang in 1908 as an experimental troop in YMCA before spreading throughout the entire peninsula.[6]
Scouting took roots in 1908 and welcomed Lord Baden-Powell and Lady Olave Baden-Powell during their historical visit in 1934 to Penang, Kuala Kangsar, Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur.[7]
After gaining independence on 31 August 1957, the Boy Scouts International Bureau formally issued membership on 1 September 1957 to the nation's Scouting body which took shape as Federation of Malaya Boy Scouts Association and officially established as Persekutuan Kanak-kanak Pengakap Malaysia or Boy Scouts Association of Malaysia and officially regulated by an act of Parliament through The Boy Scouts Association of Malaysia (Incorporation) Act No. 38, 1968.[8]
It took on its current name as Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia (PPM) or Scouts Association of Malaysia following an act of Parliament; Boy Scouts Association of Malaysia Act No. 143, 1974.[9]
The previous patron of the PPM is the Yang di-Pertuan AgongAbdullah (2019–2024) while the President of PPM is the Prime MinisterAnwar Ibrahim (since 2022). The current National Chief Scout (Malay: Ketua Pengakap Negara) is Major General (R) Prof. Dato' Dr. Haji Mohd Zin Bidin and National Chief Scout Commissioner (Malay: Ketua Pesuruhjaya Pengakap Negara) is Haji Nasaruddin Haji Shamsuddin.[10]
On 2 May 2023, Prime MinisterAnwar Ibrahim was proclaimed the President of the association and conferred the Golden Rice Spirit Star Award (Malay: Anugerah Bintang Semangat Padi Emas), the highest award of the association and exclusive award bestowed only on national and state leaders by Acting National Chief Scout and National Chief Scout Commissioner Mohd Zin Bidin. Mohd Zin also hoped the proclamation could take its image to greater heights, strengthen its role and attract more youths at the universities and schools to join it.[5]
Founding of Scouting in the states of Malaysia
The founding of Scouts movements in the states of Malaysia were, by date and founder
1925 - Negeri Sembilan, in 1923 by British Resident Edward Shaw Hose at a missionary school in Seremban and by R. Brunstone, then in 1925 by Bird and Roger Smith who started organising for the entire state.
Current National Chief Scout of Malaysia, Mohd Zin Bidin.
Malaysian Scouts Association is led by National Chief Scout (Malay: Ketua Pengakap Negara), who is the top executive responsible for high-level decisions and association's vision, and assisted by National Chief Scout Commissioner (Malay: Ketua Pesuruhjaya Pengakap Negara), who oversees day-to-day operations.
National Chiefs Scout
List of national chiefs scout since 1952 until today.[4]
Deputy National Chief Scout Commissioners (Activity):
Haji Ahmad Sabri Saad
Deputy National Chief Scout Commissioners (International):
Ts. Mohd Hilmi Abu Bakar
Chief Executive Officer:
Jamaluddin @ Jamal Jinal
Chief Operating Officer / Chief Secretary:
Aiznin Sairi Sulaiman
States
The PPM is organized into 15 territorial councils and two national at-large councils:
1. Perlis 2. Kedah 3. Pulau Pinang 4. Perak 5. Selangor 6. Kuala Lumpur 7. Negeri Sembilan 8. Melaka 9. Johor 10. Pahang 11. Terengganu 12. Kelantan 13. Sabah 14. Sarawak 15. Labuan 16. Kumpulan Latihan Malaysia 17. Kumpulan Latihan Kelanasiswa Malaysia
Sections
Scouting in Malaysia is primarily school-based and as such, the Scouting sections are organised as follow:
Primary School Level - Cub Scouts (Malay: Pengakap Kanak-Kanak): Between 9 and 12 years old or Standard 3 to Standard 6. Motto: "Do Your Best" (Malay: Buat Habis Baik), official colour: Blue.
Lower Secondary School Level - Junior Scouts (Malay: Pengakap Muda) between 13 and 15 years old or Form 1 to 3. Motto: "Be Prepared" (Malay: Sedia Selalu), official colour: Green.
Upper Secondary School Level - Senior Scouts (Malay: Pengakap Remaja) between 15 and 17+1⁄2 years old or Form 4 to 5. Motto: "Look Wide" (Malay: Pandang Luas), official colour: Yellow.
Pre-University Level - Rovers (Malay: Pengakap Kelana) between 17+1⁄2 and 26 years old or Form 6. Motto: "Service" (Malay: Berkhidmat), official colour: Red.
Higher Educational Institutions and Universities - Rovers - Malaysian University Rover Training Group (Malay: Kumpulan Latihan Kelanasiswa Malaysia) or KLKM. Between 17+1⁄2 and 26 years old. Motto: "Service" (Malay: Berkhidmat), official colour: Red.
Teachers' Training Colleges & Institutions - Rovers & Adult Leaders - Malaysian Training Group (Malay: Kumpulan Latihan Malaysia) or KLM Between 20 and 26 years old. Rover Motto: "Service" (Malay: Berkhidmat), official colour: Red. Teachers at training colleges undergo and complete woodbadge adult leadership training and streamed according to their assigned service to a primary or secondary school.
Uniform
A Malaysian Girl Scout at the parade during the celebrations of Hari Merdeka 2013.
A Junior Scout's uniform consists of a short-sleeve (girls wear long sleeves) grey shirt, with two pockets with buttons on the left and right breast, the official neckerchief, the forage cap, navy-blue pants, the official bronze belt, navy-blue socks and black canvas shoes with laces. A miniature Malaysian flag is stitched on the right breast pocket and the Tenderfoot badge (analogous to the same-named first rank in the Boy Scouts of America) stitched on the left one. The neckerchief, with red, white and blue stripes, is worn about the collar, fastened with the official woggle. The forage cap has a badge with the Malaysian Scout emblem on one side.
On the left sleeve are one's patrol's name and merit badges. On the right sleeve is one's state, district, and troop number. The advancement badge is sewn below the troop number when a Junior Scout earns it. Depending on a Junior Scout's rank and/or badges, he/she may be allowed to wear a lanyard.
A Senior Scout's uniform is the same as the Junior Scout's except for the position of badges. The King's Scout badge is worn on the left sleeve, five centimetres below the patrol badge. On the left sleeve is one's patrol's name, and one's advancement badges. The Senior Scout's have up to five advancement badges. Once taken, the Senior Scout will go on to become a King's Scout. The King's Scout badge is worn five centimeters below the patrol badge in place of all five Senior Badges.
The only differences between a Leader's (Rovers/Scoutmasters) uniform and that of Junior Scouts are the insignia sewn on and the epaulets worn. The Chief Scout and Assistant Scoutmasters don blue epaulets with various symbols, while Rovers wear red epaulets. Each Rover Crew is allowed to create its own crew emblem, which is then stitched on the right arm beneath the Crew Letter. The advancement badges for Rovers are worn on the left breast, below the Rover badge, while the miniature King's Scout Badge is worn on the left sleeve.
Regardless of which unit one is a member of, one must pass the Tenderfoot (Malay: Keahlian) test before being eligible for any other badges. This test examines one on one's qualifications to become a Scout, testing one on the Scout uniform, Scout emblems, Scout oath, Scout laws, Scout salute and sign, the history of Scouting, and basic knot-tying, such as tying a reef knot.
For Cub Scouts (Malay: Pengakap Kanak-Kanak), one may receive the Bronze Dagger (Malay: Keris Gangsa) badge, Silver Dagger (Malay: Keris Perak) badge and Gold Dagger (Malay: Keris Emas) badge. The dagger (Malay: Keris) is a Malay dagger used as an official weapon by the royalty. One must attain all preceding badges before qualifying for the next one. Besides that, one may also receive various merit badges throughout the course of receiving the three dagger (Malay: Keris) badges. Someone who has achieved the Gold Dagger (Malay: Keris Emas) badge with certain merit badges is entitled to wear the Cub Scout Cord (Malay: Rambu Pengakap Kanak-Kanak), which is blue in colour.
For Junior Scout (Malay: Pengakap Muda), one may receive the Third Class (Malay: Usaha) badge, Second Class (Malay: Maju) badge and First Class (Malay: Jaya) badge. One must attain all preceding badges before qualifying for the next one. Same as the previous stage, one can also receive a total of eight merit badges; two for hobbies, three for knowledge, and another three for service. Someone who achieves the First Class badge with the eight other merit badges is entitled to wear the Junior Scout Cord (Malay: Rambu Pengakap Muda), which is green in colour.
For Senior Scout (Malay: Pengakap Remaja), one earns Independence (Malay: Jaya Diri) badge, Skills (Malay: Kemahiran) badge, Activities (Malay: Kegiatan) badge, Expedition (Malay: Ekspedisi) badge and Service (Malay: Perkhidmatan) badge. These badges are known as the Five Highest Badges (Malay: Lima Lencana Tertinggi), and a pre-requisite before being assessed as a King's Scout (Malay: Pengakap Raja).
The qualified candidate will hand in his/her application form to the district commissioner together with his/her logbooks and certs (of all badges received). He/she will be evaluated and assessed during Pre-King's Scout Assessment Camp (Malay: Kem Ujian Pra-Penarafan Pengakap Raja), which has these components: Responsibility (Malay: Tanggungjawab), Expedition (Malay: Pengembaraan), Community Service (Malay: Perkhidmatan Masyarakat), Activity (Malay: Kegiatan), and Independence (Malay: Berdikari). Once a candidate completes and passes the Pre-King's Scout Assessment Camp (Malay: Kem Ujian Pra-Penarafan Pengakap Raja), he/she is recognised and allowed to wear a royal yellow Senior Scout's Cord (Malay: Rambu Pengakap Remaja), and therefore has all the requirements ready for King's Scout certification.
King's Scout badge
The candidate then progresses to attend the King's Scout Assessment Camp (Malay: Kem Penarafan Pengakap Raja), a three-day two-nights organised by his/her respective State King's Scout Assessment Council (Malay: Lembaga Penaraf Pengakap Raja Negeri). Such an assessment follows the national scheme and involves camping, campcraft, pioneering, first aid, estimation, knots and lashing, map reading, foot and stave drills, backwoods' man cooking, songs, personal and group interviews, handicraft making and more.
Upon passing all the required tests, the candidate is accorded and allowed to wear a royal yellow coloured Bushman's Thong,[13] which is self-made.
After all documentation has been completely vetted at headquarters, the candidate will have earned the yellow, blue and green King's Scout Badge (Malay: Lencana Pengakap Raja) which is worn on their left sleeve. They will also be invited to the Royal Palace of their respective state and bestowed the prestigious King's Scout Certificate (Malay: Sijil Pengakap Raja), by the Royal Ruler of that state, representing His Majesty the King of Malaysia, the Patron of the PPM. The certificate is unique as it bears 10 signatures, lead foremost by the current King of Malaysia and the 9 State Rulers. There are, thus far, no other certificates in such a similar manner. If in a non-Royal state, His Majesty's signature is present first and foremost.
Junior Scouts who receive the King's Scout Certificate and Badge while in their age level are required to pass the Pre-King's Scout Assessment Camp (Malay: Kem Ujian Pra-Penarafan Pengakap Raja), the King's Scout Assessment Camp (Malay: Kem Penarafan Pengakap Raja) and all other requirements, if so needed should all the requirements be accomplished.
Troop organization
A troop is divided into several patrols, each with its own patrol leader and assistant patrol leader. A committee called the Patrol Leaders' Council plans all the troop's activities, with guidance from the troop's Scoutmaster(s). The Patrol Leaders' Council consists of all the patrol leaders and their assistants. From the Patrol Leaders' Council, Patrol Leaders are elected to become the Troop Leader, Assistant Troop Leader, Troop Secretary, Troop Treasurer and Troop Quartermaster. This committee is called the Court of Honour (COH) and is the most exclusive committee in a troop. The posts mentioned are the least a troop can have. Besides the above-mentioned posts, other posts such as Discipline Officer, Den warden, Librarian, IT Director, Historian and much more can be added if the need should arise.
A patrol itself, besides its patrol leader and assistant patrol leader, has a secretary for taking down the details of a patrol meeting, has a treasurer for recording the financial matters and has a quartermaster for taking care of the patrol's equipment. During camp, the quartermaster becomes the equipment quartermaster, and a food quartermaster is appointed. The secretary becomes assistant patrol leader if the patrol leader or assistant patrol leader does not show up for a meeting.
Malaysian Scout Jamborees
The Malaysian Scout Jamboree is the national jamboree and held since 1966. Each state takes turns to host this event.[dubious–discuss] The list of Jamborees are:
2006 – Negeri Sembilan: 11th Malaysian Scouts Jamboree (December 12–19, Ulu Bendul Recreational Park, Kuala Pilah) | Camp Chief: Hamdan Bin Hj. Mohd Nor, Negeri Sembilan State Chief Scout Commissioner
2016 – Federal Territory - Kuala Lumpur: 13th Malaysian Scouts Jamboree (November 25 - December 1, Metropolitan Batu Park, Kuala Lumpur) | Camp Chief: Dato' Dr. Elli Bin Haji Mohd Tahir, Federal Territory - Kuala Lumpur State Chief Scout Commissioner
2024 – Selangor: 14th Malaysian Scouts Jamboree (December 21 - 27, Taman Tasik Milenium, Kuala Kubu Bharu)
B-P House
B-P House at Kuala Lumpur
The headquarters for Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia or Scouts Association of Malaysia is Rumah B-P or B-P House. It is located in Kuala Lumpur at 4 Jalan Hang Jebat (formerly Davidson Road), 50150 Kuala Lumpur.
The foundation was laid on May 16, 1954 by Pengakap Agong Persekutuan Tanah Melayu or Federated Malay States Chief Scout Commissioner General Sir Gerald Walter Robert Templer KG, GCB, GCMG, KBE, DSO, who was then the British High Commissioner of Malaya prior to his departure on May 31, 1954. B-P House was constructed at a cost of RM150,000 and took three years to complete. It was formally officiated by His Excellency Sir Donald Macgillivray KCMG, MBE, Pengakap Agung Persekutuan Tanah Melayu or Federated Malay States Chief Scout Commissioner on January 5, 1957 to commemorate the 100th birth year of Lord Baden-Powell (February 22, 1857) and also 50th anniversary of world Scouting (1907 - 1957).
The 4-storey building has recently undergone a major renovation with a large hall on the left wing, a museum on the right wing, a Scout shop with its own separate entrance on the ground floor, the National Chief Scout, National Chief Scout Commissioner and administration offices on the 1st floor, hostels on the 3rd and 4th floor.
It is about 12 minutes by car to World Scout Bureau - Global Support Centre Kuala Lumpur, within walking distance to the iconic Petaling Street, Pasar Seni or Central Market and PUTRA-LRT station.
The Scout headquarters serves as a national centre for administration for Scout matters. It currently has a paid staff of 9. Meetings and leadership courses are held there.
Gilwell Scouts Nature Park Sandakan
PPMCS State Chief Commissioner Datuk Awang Zaini receiving the WOSM SCENES Charter at B-P House, Kuala Lumpur on 25 July 2020
Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia proposed the idea of Gilwell Scouts Nature Park Sandakan (Gilwell SNP Sandakan) applying to be part of World Organization of the Scout Movement's Scout Centre of Excellence for Nature, Environment and Sustainability or SCENES[14] on April 10, 2019. This proposal was endorsed on August 4, 2019. The 12 acre Gilwell SNP Sandakan is owned and operated by Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia Cawangan Sabah (PPMCS), one of 17 members in the federation of Scouting in Malaysia. The application and all pertaining information was authored and submitted in March 2020 to World Scout Bureau Global Support Centre Kuala Lumpur. The World Scout Bureau approved Gilwell SNP Sandakan for official accreditation as a SCENES centre on May 12, 2020 after approvals from PPM, Asia-Pacific Region and WOSM. This is a historic milestone with Gilwell SNP Sandakan[15] as the first SCENES in Malaysia and the third in Asia Pacific, after Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Gilwell Park is The Scout Association's principal camp site and activity centre in the United Kingdom. It is a 109-acre (44 ha) site, located in East London in the Sewardstonebury area of Waltham Abbey within Epping Forest near the border with Chingford. It is used by Scout and Guide groups. Adult Scout leader training undertaken at Gilwell Park since 1919 is known as Wood Badge training. Scout leaders from many countries have trained at Gilwell Park and Wood Badge training was followed by some other Scout organisations, and, therefore, Gilwell Park has taken on importance to other Scout organisations.
Raja Perempuan BesarTengku Budriah binti Almarhum Tengku Ismail was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis and the third Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia as the wife of Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail.
The Scout and Guide Movement in Malaysia consists of
The Singapore Scout Association ("SSA") was founded in 1910, two years after the Scout Movement was launched by Robert Baden-Powell in Great Britain. This makes it the oldest established youth movement in Singapore.
Scouts South Africa is the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) recognised Scout association in South Africa. Scouting began in the United Kingdom in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell and rapidly spread to South Africa, with the first Scout troops appearing in 1908. South Africa has contributed many traditions and symbols to World Scouting.
The Scout Association of Hong Kong is the largest scouting organisation in Hong Kong. Scout training was first introduced in Hong Kong by Rev Spink of St Andrew's Church, Kowloon in 1909 and 1910 by the Protestant based Boys' Brigade, Chums Scout Patrols and British Boy Scouts. The Catholic St. Joseph's College, formed its Boy Scout Troop in 1913, and registered with the Boy Scouts Association of the United Kingdom in 1914. The Boy Scouts Association formed its Hong Kong Local Association in July 1915 which became its Hong Kong Branch. After changes to the name of the United Kingdom organisation in 1967, the branch name was changed to The Scout Association Hong Kong Branch. In 1977, The Scout Association of Hong Kong was constituted as an autonomous association and successor to The Scout Association's Hong Kong Branch and became the 111th member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) in 1977.
The Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association is the national Scouting and oldest non-governmental organisation in the country, established in 1933. It became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) in 1981. The association celebrate its founding on 1 July each year.
A Scout leader or Scouter generally refers to the trained adult leader of a Scout unit. The terms used vary from country to country, over time, and with the type of unit.
The Victoria Institution is the oldest secondary school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is a memorial school, so-called because it was partly funded by public subscription intended for the erection of a permanent memorial to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. The establishment of the school was further supported by financial contributions from the Sultan and government of Selangor, prominent Kuala Lumpur residents, and the general public.
This article lists important figures and events in Malaysian public affairs during the year 1991, together with births and deaths of notable Malaysians.
The Pathfinder & Rover Explorer Scouts' Association (P-RESA) is an independent Traditional Scouting Association in the United Kingdom, with International branches. The Association's training programme runs along the lines of Baden-Powell's original Scouting for Boys, upholding the traditions and practices set out by B-P, using the 1938 Boy Scouts' Association Policy Organisation & Rules (POR) as its basis.
Reverend Thomas Cecil Alexander was an Anglican priest and missionary in British Malaya, the founder of the Scouting movement in what is now the Malaysian state of Sabah.
The Baden-Powell Award, also known as the B-P Award or Baden-Powell Scout Award (BPSA), is the highest award achievable to Rover (adult) Scouts.
Elyas bin Omar was the third Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, as well as the longest serving Mayor in the History of Kuala Lumpur. He served for a period of 12 years. Elyas was the president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and during his tenure, Malaysia won the Thomas Cup in 1992. In football, Elyas was president of Kuala Lumpur FA when it won the Malaysia Cup three times in a row from 1987 to 1989. On 17 November 1992, he was succeeded by Mazlan Ahmad as Mayor of Kuala Lumpur.
Abdul Rahman bin Hashim was a Malaysian police officer who served as the third Inspector-General of Police from February 1973 until his assassination. He served as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police from January 1972 to February 1973.
King's Scout, also known as King's Scout Award, is the highest award of the Scouts Association of Malaysia (PPM). The King's Scout Certificate is signed by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia and all the sultans in Malaysia.
Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Bakri bin Mohd Zinin is a former Malaysian police officer who served as Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), from May 2013 to his retirement in September 2014. He was the first Sabahan to become DIG.
Gilwell Scouts Nature Park Sandakan is located in Sandakan, Sabah on the isle of Borneo in Sabah, which is the second largest state in the federation of Malaysia and shares the island of Borneo with Sarawak, Brunei and Indonesia Kalimantan.
Mohd Zin bin Bidin is a Malaysian scout, military officer and medical doctor who has served as 7th National Chief Scout of Malaysia since December 2023. A King's Scout since his youth, he also served as Acting National Chief Scout of Malaysia from 11 September 2019 until 15 December 2023 and 13th National Chief Scout Commissioner of Malaysia from 17 January 2016 until January 2024.
Othman bin Bidin was a Bruneian teacher, renowned for being the first local to serve as principal of the Brunei Malay Teachers' College (MPMB), first principal of the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers College (MPUSB), and member of the Legislative Council in the 1970s. He was a strong advocate for enhancing the role of teachers and played a crucial role in championing their rights and welfare. Alongside other key figures, Othman made significant contributions to the development of Brunei's educational system, particularly through his commitment to improving teaching standards and promoting the value of education in the country.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
