GENERAL (B) TUN IBRAHIM ISMAIL
Indeed, it cannot be denied that the Royal Johor Military Force (JMF) is an military institution that not only nurtures and educates its members with high military discipline but, furthermore, plays a role in instilling a spirit of heroism in the Malay children of Johor. Additionally, it contributes to fostering a sense of struggle with great courage. One of the members of JMF who has demonstrated outstanding courage is General (B) Tan Sri Dato’ Ibrahim Bin Ismail, former Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Born in Johor Bahru in October 1922, Ibrahim Ismail received his early education at the English College. He joined the JMF in 1941 as a Cadet Officer and later was sent to the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun together with Hussein Onn and Ungku Ahmad Abdul Rahman.
Their training was cut short due to the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Second Lieutenant Ibrahim Ismail was placed in the 10th and 25th Hyderabad Regiment.
After serving with the regiment for some time, he was then transferred to the Force 136 Ceylon Command. Through Force 136, he actively participated in the submarine movement between Ceylon and Malaya, opposing the Japanese in 1944. In the same year, he was flown to Terengganu to lead a small group of forces to establish a local resistance unit. In this operation, he was captured, but the spirit of an officer is not easily subdued by the enemy. With perseverance and courage, he successfully escaped and joined the Malay Guerrilla Forces (Wataniah) in Pahang as the Group Liaison Officer. Pahang, known as the land of Malay warriors, with a legacy from fighters like Dato’ Bahaman Orang Kaya Semantan, Mat Kilau, and many others who bravely opposed the colonizers, provided strong inspiration for General Tan Sri Dato’ Ibrahim Ismail in formulating various strategies to face the enemy. The roles played by the Malay Guerrilla Forces in Pahang and Force 136 demonstrate outstanding courage that should be emulated by the present generation.
In June 1946, during a grand celebration to mark the victory of the Allied Forces known as the 'Victory Parade,' General Tan Sri Dato’ Ibrahim Ismail was chosen to participate in the Victory March in London, where he served as the Assistant Government Officer. The recognition shown by the relevant parties clearly proves that his services and bravery during the war exemplify the spirit of struggle and courage inherent in the Malay youth, reflecting the character and heroic qualities inherited from previous Malay heroes. After leaving the Indian Army with the rank of Major, he later served with the Johor State Volunteer Forces.
His life's career was marked by his involvement in UMNO politics, where he also led the Perikatan Youth UMNO in 1948 as the Deputy Chief of Perikatan Youth UMNO Malaya, a significant position tasked with organizing the strength of UMNO youth at that time. His experiences during the struggle in World War II had a positive impact on the stability and development of UMNO in general, and Perikatan Youth in particular.
His spirit towards the military always burned bright, and he later became involved in the Malay Regiment on March 11, 1951, continuing to climb the ladder of success until he assumed the highest position as the Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
After dedicating his life for so long to religion, nation, and country with a deep sense of gratitude, General Tan Sri Dato’ Ibrahim Ismail retired and bid farewell to his illustrious services in October 1977.
References:
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- National Archives of Malaysia, Johor Branch, EXHIBITION BOOK ON THE OCCASION OF THE CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF THE ROYAL JOHOR MILITARY FORCE 1886 – 1986 AT THE JUBLI INTAN HALL, JOHOR BAHRU, ON THE 19th & 22nd OF AUGUST 1986.
- JMF.