Page 108 - AGC Journal 2018

AGC JOURNAL 2018

Educating Malaysia Six Months In

By Major Crispin Coates By Private Lowri Gallagher
Since 2017 Major Crispin Coates has been a Reservist with the Defence I arrived at 39 Engineer Regiment, Kinloss Barracks, on 11 March 2018. I was
Cultural Specialist Unit working with the Malaysian Armed Forces in Kuala very aprehensive on what life at a working unit would bring, also moving
Lumpur. up to the north of Scotland.

Mix of Cultures city. Predominantly running English programmes, it also
however, trains Thai, Arabic and Tagalog (the Philippines Junior Clerk
6,000 miles away from the United Kingdom appears an language). My arrival meant that advanced English
unlikely place to make the transition to the Reserves, but programmes were now available and in particular, my I was assinged to become a junior clerk at 60
after a rewarding regular army career, Kuala Lumpur, at remit was to introduce Malaysian personnel to the British Squadron which administrates the largest amount

the centre of South East Asia offers a fascinating mix of way of `doing things’. of personnel in the Regiment. I knew this would be
cultures. challenging but I was prepared to be chucked in the
Distinct Groups deep end.
Close Relationship
Malaysia is a conservative, majority Muslim country The Beginning
Historically the United Kingdom has a close relationship with three distinct racial groups; its Armed Forces are

with Malaysia, even today Malaysian military insignia, dominated by ethnic Malays who represent the Islamic During the first month I was learning new things
equipment and organisation resembles that of the British majority. This presents a fascinating chance to develop every day and settling in very well. I had familiarised
Army. The legacy of the Malayan Emergency, Britain’s my own understanding of modern Malaysia. With its myself with my new home and work family. Some
colonial period have left a country proud of its ties to the troops on active duty in the United Nations missions in tasks were challenging, but there was always
United Kingdom. This may appear an unlikely place for Congo and Lebanon, and facing a severe terrorist threat someone happy to help if I had any questions.
a Regional Cultural Specialist, but I soon discovered that in Malaysia’s Eastern Sabah state, its military personnel

the Malaysian Armed Forces have a wide range of skills in confront challenges very different from that in the UK. The Physical Activity
English ranging from complete beginners to those needing country is a fascinating fusion of Asian cultures with three
to train in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United religions, languages and ethnicities living side by side, it’s I was always apprehensive on how the Physical
States. traditionally a great place for a holiday; for me it’s a great Training sessions would be in comparison to
place to work. training. I settled quite well into the sessions, Lowri Gallagher

The British Way passing my fitness assessment the first week and (second from left)
getting to experience the obstacle course. during the flying day

Fortunately, my arrival in Kuala Lumpur coincided Crispin Coates with Malaysian Air Force Officers

with the Malaysian Army establishing a Culture and undertaking language and culture training as part of Exploring
Language Centre some 50 kilometres from the capital the entry into service of the Airbus A400M aircraft.
I was comfortable in my new job and had got to
know the majority of the regiment and my daily
routine and tasks. I had made new friends and
spent my weekends exploring around Kinloss
and the nearby areas, visiting the castle ruins and
villages. I spent pretty much every Sunday afternoon
on a different beach. I was camping with friends

exploring caves and coves and seeing what the

north of Scotland had to offer.
Manic May
May was the busiest month with the Royal Engineer
Games fast approaching. This year we were hosting
the games. Everyone in the regiment pulled together
and worked extra hard to ensure it was a successful
week.
Flying Experience
I volunteered to help out at Moray Flying Club on a
sunny Saturday afternoon. It was an event set up
by the club where children with learning difficulties

and their carers or parents had the opportunity to

fly and find out more about the club itself. It was a

well organised afternoon which both I and all the
children and families really enjoyed. I was lucky Lowri Gallagher (left)
enough to get the chance to go up in the air five on a detachment

times and even had a go at flying the aircraft myself. exercise

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