SIBU: The bilateral Haringgaroo Exercise between the Malaysian Army (TDM) and the Australian Army (TDA) serves as a platform that fosters knowledge-sharing and strengthens future mission collaboration, while enhancing cultural understanding between the two armed forces.
According to the First Infantry Division, the 74th iteration of the exercise, conducted under the Malaysian Australian Joint Defence Programme (MAJDP), marks an important continuation of the countries’ long-standing military cooperation.
Previously launched as the Scorpion Exercise in 1977, the exercise was later renamed Haringgaroo — symbolising the partnership between the ‘Tiger’ and ‘Kangaroo’.
Originally conceived to demonstrate military strength to the Communist bloc in the 1970s, the exercise took place for the first time in Sarawak this year.
It involved the Third Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment (3RRD) of TDM and the Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) of TDA, running from Oct 17 to 31.
During this period, the 3RRD shared its experience and expertise in counter-insurgency warfare (CIW) with RCB, particularly in jungle operations.
The CIW-focused exercise tested the readiness of both forces while highlighting their commitment to joint training and bilateral cooperation. The exercise unfolded in two stages – a Cross Training Exercise (CTX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX), concluding with a simulated assault on an enemy camp.
On Sunday (Oct 27), TDM’s Ninth Infantry Brigade commander Brig Gen Ahmad Norzaini Badrun and TDA’s Seventh Brigade commander Brig Giles J.S. Cornelia officiated the closing ceremony at Camp Oya.
Also present at the ceremony were the Ninth Brigade Headquarters Chief of Staff Lt Col Muhammad Samzie Gusang, 3RRD Commanding Officer Lt Col Majani Japon, and RCB-TDA’s 2nd/30th Training Group Commanding Officer Lt Col Richard Trembath.
In light of this, TDM is committed to organising such bilateral exercises, aligning with the Fifth Thrust of the 30th Army Commander’s Superior Command to bolster military cooperation with Australia.
