An experiment was proposed. In 1933, a group of 25 Malay recruits were assigned to train with British officers in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan as part of the 1st Experimental Company. They would later form the Malay Regiment.

This valiant group of dedicated men surpassed all the expectations of their superiors, and rose to become the country’s most iconic Malaysian military unit.

Known today as the Royal Malay Regiment, this intrepid fighting force has served the country in many of its most turbulent periods, including the first Malayan Emergency (1948-1960); the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation (1962-1966); the 2nd Malaysian Insurgency (1968-1989); and the Sarawak Communist Insurgency (1962-1990).

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Malay Regiment, and a new book has been published to mark this milestone.

“The Malay Experiment: The Colonial Origins and Homegrown Heroism of the Malay Regiment” is a comprehensive account of the origins of this military unit, and details the bravery, loyalty and sacrifices of its men.

Author Stuart Lloyd said his latest work is not a “war book” but one about human stories.

“All my books are about the human spirit. About the people, good or bad, at the heart of the stories. I don’t like talking so much about statistics, or numbers of troops in a battle. I prefer writing whether this person was crapping his pants as the enemies descended,” Lloyd told FMT Lifestyle with a laugh.

Lloyd, a sixth-generation Southern African, was born in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) before emigrating to South Africa, then Australia. He has lived in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Thailand for nearly 25 years.

The author has conducted special-interest military history tours through Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and has written 21 non-fiction books which have topped best-seller charts in three countries.

“The Malay Experiment”, Lloyd’s fifth military history book, is a slim, 94-page book that will intrigue and captivate both military enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

Published by CatMatDog Storytelling, it features a foreword by Brigadier General Mohamed Arshad Raji (Retired), a distinguished member of the Regiment.

The book’s pages are populated with colourful personalities. The Malay Regiment’s commanding officer, Captain George McIllree Stanton Bruce, almost feels like a character from a Hollywood blockbuster: a rugged World War hero with a jagged scar on his face.

Bruce, however, proves adept at winning over his recruits: not only does he speak Malay, he also designs the regiment’s iconic insignia, uniform and “Taat dan setia” (faithful and true) motto.

“There could have been a clash of cultures. But ultimately, the story resolves itself through cultural sensitivity, which I think led to the eventual success of the regiment,” said Lloyd.

“Their uniform was localised, integrating part of the sarong, and colours significant to the Malays. These really showed the recruits this was something they could call their own, that their unit was not just a British transplant.”

One of the most relatable parts of the book are details of Bruce’s successful methods of attracting early recruits: “Good soldiers need good food,” he (Bruce) reflected. “I think more recruits were obtained by the words ‘Makan ada baik’ (our food is good) than by ‘Ta’at setia’”.

Other fascinating characters making appearances are Raja Lope, the adopted son of a Sultan who rises from private to brigadier, and Lt Adnan Saidi, who valiantly sacrificed his life fighting Japanese invaders at the battle of Pasir Panjang.

The book’s engaging narrative takes readers from the fall of Singapore to the climactic battle of Bukit Chandu and the glorious parades of Merdeka.

It’s clear that the story of the Malay Regiment is not over yet: it will be interesting to see how it continues to serve the nation into the future.

Lloyd said the story of the Malay Regiment developed in parallel with the story of Malaysia, with both the country and military unit growing in strength and confidence over the years.

“I think the Malay Regiment is a success story Malaysians can all take pride in. I will make the point that they outperformed many British and Australian regiments in Singapore at the time,” the author concluded.

“It’s a moving account of how a culture, previously untested in warfare, managed to stand up and show the world what they could do.”

‘The Malay Experiment’ is available at selected bookstores nationwide. Also visit Stuart Lloyd’s website.