About PPM
Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia (The Scouts Association of Malaysia) is an organization for Malaysian boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 17. Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia is part of the global Scouting movement and national member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). It is the only uniformed body in Malaysia to have been established and officially regulated by an act of parliament through the Scouts Association Of Malaysia (Incorporation) Act 1968.
History
Scouting was first introduced in Singapore in 1908, but was officially founded on July 2, 1910, when young Scoutmaster Frank Cooper Sands arrived in Singapore from Nottingham and established two Boy Scout troops in Singapore for the children of the British colonists. From there, the movement spread to other parts of the Straits Settlements and what were to become the states of Malaysia. Sands spent the next 40 years helping to create Scouting in the region, and is often called the “Father of Malayan Scouting”.
Sections
- Pengakap kanak-kanak (Cub Scout) between 10 to 12 years. Motto: “DO YOUR BEST”. Official color: Yellow.
- Pengakap Muda (Junior Scout) between 13 to 15.5 years. Motto: “BE PREPARED”. Official color: Green.
- Pengakap Remaja (Senior Scout) between 15.5 to 17.5 years. Motto: “LOOK WIDE”. Official color: Red.
- Pengakap Kelana (Rover Scout) adults who still practise scouting. Motto: “SERVICE”.
- Kumpulan Latihan Kelanasiswa Malaysia, KLKM (Malaysian University Rover Training Group) and Kumpulan Latihan Malaysia, KLM (Malaysian Training Group) are rover scout groups from higher educational institutions and colleges.
Scouts Oath
The Scout Promise is:
Bahawa dengan sesungguhnya saya berjanji dan bersetia, yang saya dengan seberapa daya upaya, saya akan:
- taat kepada Tuhan, Raja dan Negara
- menolong orang pada setiap masa
- menurut undang-undang Pengakap
(translated from Malay):
On my honour I promise that I will do my best,
- to do my duty to God, King and Country
- to help others at all times
- to obey the Scout laws
Scouts Law
The Scout Laws are (translated from Malay):
- A Scout is to be trusted and have self dignity.
- A Scout loyal towards the King and other Rajas, towards the Scout Masters, parents, employer and the people under him.
- A Scout is to make himself useful and helpful at all times.
- A Scout is a friend to all of any States, rank or any other religion.
- A Scout is good and kind and will always do good.
- A Scout is good and kind to animals.
- A Scout always follows his parents’, leaders’ orders without any questions.
- A Scout is always patient and smile during difficulties.
- A Scout is thrifty.
- A Scout is clean and pure of thoughts, words and actions.
Scout Sign and Salute
To do the Scout sign, the middle three fingers of the right hand are raised and the thumb covering the little finger, with the upper arm held horizontally and the forearm vertically. The three raised fingers represent the three fundamental parts of the Scout Promise, and the thumb over the little finger represents the strong protecting the weak. The Scout sign is used whenever pledging the Scout Promise.
To do the Scout salute, do the Scout sign and then the middle finger is moved until it touches the right eyebrow.
Uniform
A Junior Scout’s uniform consists of a short-sleeve (girls wear long sleeves) grey shirt, with two pockets with buttons on the left and right breast, the official neckerchief, the forage cap, navy-blue pants, the official bronze belt, navy-blue socks and black canvas shoes with laces. A miniature Malaysian flag is stitched on the right breast pocket and the Tenderfoot badge stitched on the left one. The neckerchief, with red, white and blue stripes, is worn about the collar, fastened with the official woggle. The forage cap has a badge with the Malaysian Scout emblem on one side.
On the left sleeve are one’s patrol’s name and merit badges. On the right sleeve is one’s state, district, and troop number. The advancement badge is sewn below the troop number when a Junior Scout earns it. Depending on a Junior Scout’s rank and/or badges, he/she may be allowed to wear a lanyard.
A Senior Scout’s uniform is the same as the Junior Scout’s except for the position of badges. The King’s Scout badge is worn on the left sleeve, five centimetres below the patrol badge. On the left sleeve is one’s patrol’s name, and one’s advancement badges. The Senior Scout’s have up to five advancement badges. Once taken, the Senior Scout will go on to become a King’s Scout. The King’s Scout badge is worn five centimeters below the patrol badge in place of all five Senior Badges.
A Leader’s (Rovers/Scoutmasters) uniform is the same as the Junior Scouts with the exception of the badges sewn and the epaulets worn. Rovers wear red epaulets while Assistant Scoutmasters through the Chief Scout wear blue epaulets bearing different symbols. A Rover Crew may make its own Crew emblem and the one can sew it on the right sleeve below the Crew Letter. The advancement badges for Rovers are worn on the left breast, below the Rover badge, while the miniature King’s Scout Badge is worn on the right sleeve.
National Headquarters
The national headquarters, also known as Rumah BP (BP House), is located on Jalan Hang Jebat in Kuala Lumpur. It is a 4 storey building, with the offices at the 1st floor, with hostels on the 3rd and 4th floor. It is open 5 days a week. There is a Scout Shop situated on the ground floor of the building. The Scout HQ serves as a national centre for administration for Scout matters. It has a paid staff of 5. Woodbadge and leadership courses are also held there.
Sources: MSGP
