Malaysian Scouts Association, officially known as the Scouts Association of Malaysia (), is the largest informal youth and educational organisation in Malaysia, and member of World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).
History
Scouting in Malaya (now Malaysia) was first introduced in Penang in 1908 as an experimental troop in YMCA before spreading throughout the entire peninsula.
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.
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.Laws of Malaysia Act 409
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.UNDANG-UNDANG MALAYSIA Akta 143
The previous patron of the PPM is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah (2019–2024) while the President of PPM is the Prime Minister Anwar 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.The Scout Association of Malaysia
In 1974, Datuk Syed Hashim bin Abdullah was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting. Other recipients include Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin bin Mohd Yassin in 1983.
On 2 May 2023, Prime Minister Anwar 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.
Founding of Scouting in the states of Malaysia The founding of Scouts movements in the states of Malaysia were, by date and founder 1908 - Penang, YMCA experimental Troop 1909 - Selangor, 1st Selangor (now 1st Kuala Lumpur) in Victoria Institution by B.E. Shaw 1912 - Pahang, by G.M. Laidlow in Pekan, restored in 1927 by H.P. Hertslet 1913 - Sabah, by Reverend Thomas Cecil Alexander in Sandakan Scout Association of Malaysia Sabah Branch 1913 - Sarawak, by Reverend Thomas Cecil Alexander in Kuching (active only from 1930 onwards).John S. Wilson (1959), Scouting Round the World. First edition, Blandford Press. p. 287 March 27, 1915 - Penang, by Harold Ambrose Robinson Cheeseman in Penang Free School 1921 - Perak, by Mr. A. B. Samuels at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Methodist, Ipoh (A.C.S Ipoh). 1922 - Kedah, by E.C. Hicks, E.A.G. Stuart, R.P.S. Walker and C.W. Bloomfield at Sultan Abdul Hamid College 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. 1926 - Malacca, by R. Brunstone 1927 - Terengganu, by A.J. Gracle 1927 - Kelantan, by Y.M. Tengku Ahmad Temenggong 1928 - Johor, by Harold Ambrose Robinson Cheeseman in the English College Johore Bahru (now Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar). 1931 - Perlis, by Bird and Roger Smith
Scout leaders
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 Chief Scouts List of national chiefs scout since 1952 until today. #Name of National Chief ScoutsIn officeYears in position1.Gerald Templer1952–19542 years2.Donald MacGillivray1954–19573 years3.Suleiman Abdul Rahman1957–19614 years4.Abdul Rahman Talib1961–19632 years5.Sardon Jubir1963–197310 years6.Mohamed Yaacob1973–19785 years7.Sulaiman Daud1984–200521 years8.Shafie Salleh2005–201914 years9.Mohd Zin Bidin2023–present years
National Chief Commissioners List of national chief commissioners since 1910 until today. #Name of National Chief CommissionersIn officeYears in position1.Frank Cooper Sands1910–194838 years2.E. M. F. Payne1948–19579 years3.Mohamad Yusof Ahmad1957–19603 years4.Zainal Abidin Ali1960–19633 years5.Syed Esa Alwee1963–19685 years6.Syed Hashim Abdullah1969–198718 years7.Wan Puteh Wan Mohd Saman1987–19892 years8.Yang Rashdi Maasom1989–200011 years9.Hamidin Abdullah2000–20033 years10.Kamaruddin Kachar2003–20085 years11.Kaharudin Momin2008–20113 years12.Mohamad Shahrum Osman2012–20164 years13.Mohd Zin Bidin2016–20248 years14.Nasaruddin Shamsuddin2024–20252 years15.Mohammed Mukhyuddin Sarwani2025–present (acting) year
Leadership structure Royal Patron: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar National President: Dato' Seri Haji Anwar Ibrahim National Chief Scout: Major General (R) Prof. Datuk Wira Dr. Haji Mohd Zin Bidin National Chief Commissioner: Haji Nasaruddin Haji Shamsuddin Deputy National Chief Commissioner: Dr. Mohammed Mukhyuddin Sarwani Deputy National Chief Commissioner: Haji Ahmad Sabri Saad Deputy National Chief Commissioner: Ts. Mohd Hilmi Abu Bakar Manager: Mohamad Firdauz Hamzah Chief Executive Secretary: Mohd Haffiz Hamdan Shukor
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 years old or Form 4 to 5. Motto: "Look Wide" (Malay: Pandang Luas), official colour: Yellow. Pre-University Level - Rovers (Malay: Pengakap Kelana) between 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 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 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 has red, white and blue stripes and is worn around 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, while the miniature King's Scout Badge is worn on the left sleeve.
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 wear blue epaulets with various symbols, while Rovers wear red epaulets. Each Rover Crew is allowed to create its own crew emblem, which is displayed on the right arm underneath the Crew Letter. The advancement badges for Rovers are worn on the left chest, below the Rover badge.
Colours of epaulette and shoulder patch: + EpauletteColour Wearer Red Rover Scouts (Kelana) Grey Staff Purple Trainers Blue Commissioners Green Lay officers Maroon Elected officials Yellow Royal family
+ BeretColour Wearer Indigo Sea Scout Navy blue Air Scout
Badge progression scheme
The Scout emblem incorporates elements of the coat of arms of Malaysia.
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.