Malaysian Army eases age, height and BMI requirements to boost new recruit numbers

“PORT DICKSON, May 18 — The Malaysian Army (TDM) has introduced improvements to its recruitment requirements for young soldiers to provide wider opportunities for the public to join military service. Army chief General Datuk Azhan Md Othman said the improvements include raising the entry age limit from 25 to 30, as well as allowing applicants who wear glasses to apply. He said the minimum height requirement for male candidates has also been lowered to 1.57 metres from 1.62 metres previously, while the Body Mass Index (BMI) limit has been raised to 28 from 26.9. “These improvements have already been implemented. The move is aimed at expanding opportunities for Malaysians with the potential and qualifications to join the army. “Each candidate will undergo a rigorous assessment and training process to ensure that only those who truly meet TDM standards are absorbed into the service,” he said when speaking to reporters at the Passing-Out Parade for Young Male Recruits Series 205/25 here today. The main focus is not only on the number of personnel, but also on quality, expertise and the balance of the manpower structure to ensure that every Corps and Regiment is at an optimal level of readiness. Azhan said the approach reflects the organisation’s commitment to becoming a more inclusive, progressive and sustainable force without compromising professionalism and combat readiness. He expressed confidence that the improvements could increase new applications to the army by between 10 and 20 per cent, noting that more than 10,000 applications are received each year, but after initial screening, including health checks, only about 3,000 candidates meet the required criteria. In a related development, the army is also committed to strengthening women’s participation in the service in line with organisational needs and future capability development. Several suitable areas have been identified to expand women’s involvement, particularly in specialised roles to support operational effectiveness and organisational readiness. “The recruitment of female young soldiers will be open for the July intake, with an estimated 350 recruits. This will be carried out in a planned manner to meet the army’s current and future needs,” he said. Meanwhile, the army fully supports the implementation of a holistic action plan through the establishment of an Anti-Bullying Task Force by the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) to address the culture of bullying. Azhan said the army has also set up a monitoring team, as most bullying and abuse incidents were found to occur outside working hours, in addition to raising awareness among personnel about bullying and alternative ways to resolve issues without resorting to such behaviour. “In the long term, we have also established a special committee that will monitor the issue both holistically and at a micro level to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement in addressing this issue (bullying among military personnel). “All three branches of the MAF are also conducting studies on cases since 2022 to identify patterns of incidents and subsequently formulate more effective mitigation plans,” he said. He added that, to date, more than 10 officers and personnel have faced disciplinary action, including dismissal from service, for various offences. Meanwhile, Azhan said a military officer involved in a fatal accident in the capital last month is currently undergoing the process of termination of his Short Service Commission, while a corporal involved in an assault case that led to the death of a private in Bentong, Pahang, was also dismissed from service on May 13. — Bernama

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