{{Short description|Nepalese military unit in Brunei}} {{EngvarB|date=May 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}} {{coords|4.9390340|114.9743814|display=title}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Gurkha Security Unit | native_name = {{lang|ms|Pasukan Sekuriti Gurkha}}<br>{{lang|ms-Arab|{{Script|Arab|ڤاسوكن سيکوريتي ڬورخا}}}} | image = Gurkha Reserve Unit.png | caption = Logo of Gurkha Reserve Unit | start_date = {{start date and age|1974|2|25|df=yes}} | country = {{Flag|Brunei|size=23px}} | allegiance = [[House of Bolkiah]] | branch = {{flagicon image|War Flag of Brunei.svg}} [[Royal Brunei Armed Forces]] | type = [[Special forces]] | role = [[Royal guard]] | size = [[Regiment]] | garrison = Sungai Akar Camp, [[Sungai Akar]], [[Bandar Seri Begawan]] BC4115 | garrison_label = Headquarters | anniversaries = 25 February | founder = Mohan Singh Gurung | commander1 = [[Lieutenant Colonel]] (U) Hj Habil bin Hj Adol | commander1_label = Commandant | commander2 = [[Major (rank)|Major]] Shree Prasad Bura | commander2_label = Deputy Commandant | commander3 = [[Warrant Officer|Warrant Officer 1]] Purna Bahadur Pun | commander3_label = Regimental Sergeant Major }}
The '''Gurkha Security Unit''' ('''GSU'''; {{langx|ms|Pasukan Sekuriti Gurkha}}, [[Jawi script|Jawi]]: {{lang|ms-Arab|{{Script|Arab|ڤاسوكن سيکوريتي ڬورخا}}}}), formerly known as '''Gurkha Reserve Unit''' ('''GRU'''; {{Langx|ms|Pasukan Simpanan Gurkha}}''', PSG'''; also referred to as the '''Royal Brunei Gurkha Reserve Unit'''<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2020-02-27 |title=Royal Brunei Gurkha Reserve Unit |url=https://www.dogforceaustralia.com.au/case_studies/royal-brunei-gurkha-reserve-unit-train-the-trainer-program/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Dog Force Australia |language=en-US}}</ref>), is a Bruneian special elite guard force and [[royal guard]] consisting of [[Gurkha]]s from [[Nepal]].
== Background == The GRU are an elite force of soldiers from [[Nepal]] who are commissioned by the [[sultan of Brunei]] to protect the [[House of Bolkiah|royal family]], the citizens, and major oil installations.<ref name=":2" /> About 500 Gurkhas work for the Brunei Reserve Unit, the bulk of them are former members of the [[British Army]] and [[Gurkha Contingent]] ex-[[Nepali Army|Nepal]] and [[Indian Army|Indian armies]] who joined the GRU as a second career.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-10-18 |title=The Gurkha Regiments Explained |url=https://www.gwt.org.uk/news/the-gurkha-regiments-explained/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=The Gurkha Welfare Trust |language=en}}</ref> The group of ex-Gurkha, collectively referred to as "the [[Praetorian Guard]]," was previously led by retired British commanders. Military analysts assert that while being well-paid and housed, these Gurkha regiments are not as effective as those that are part of the British Army.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Documentation for Gurkha Reserve Unit |url=https://militiasdb.sowi.uni-mannheim.de/militias-public/pgag/6/evidence/}}</ref>
== Structure ==
=== Administration === It is subordinate to the Security and Defence Section of the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]. The commandant of the unit, who will be chosen by the Sultan, will be responsible for the organization and management of the unit under the direction and authority of the Minister. In the event of the Commandant's absence or incompetence, the next highest officer present may exercise and carry out the powers and responsibilities set forth in this Act on behalf of the Commandant. The GRU shall be a fundamental component of the Security Forces of Brunei and shall be composed of such a composition of senior officers, subordinate officers, and rank and file as the Sultan may command.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://www.agc.gov.bn/AGC%20Images/LAWS/ACT_PDF/Chapter%20135.pdf |title=Gurkha Reserve Unit |publisher=agc.gov |year=1984}}</ref>
=== Recruitment === Every member of the Unit must be hired in line with the service contract terms that were in effect when they were hired. After turning 40, no member of the GRU may be given another term of duty with the unit without the Minister's consent and on the Commandant's suggestion. The Unit's responsibilities include taking legal measures to carry out any obligations placed on it by the Sultan or by any written legislation. Each member of the Unit, while serving in that capacity, shall have all the rights, protections, and powers of a police officer and shall be regarded as an employee of the government within the meaning of the Penal Code.<ref name=":0" />
=== Compensation === When a member of the unit sustains an [[injury]] while doing his duties without being [[Negligence|negligent]], the Sultan may decide to compensate the victim according to the commandant's recommendations and the results of a medical board or a government medical officer. When a member of the unit dies within a year of suffering such injuries but whose dependents are not entitled to any payment or benefit under section 12 of the Gurkha Reserve Unit Act (Cap. 135), the Sultan may grant compensation in an amount not more than the member's yearly remuneration.<ref name=":0" />
==History==
=== Establishment === {{See also | British Indian Army |Gorkha_regiments_(India) | l2 = History of Gorkha regiments | Brigade_of_Gurkhas#History | l3= Brigade of Gurkhas history | Royal_Gurkha_Rifles#History | l4 = Royal Gurkha Rifles history | Gurkhas }}
In 1947, the [[Britain–India–Nepal Tripartite Agreement]] was signed between India, United Kingdom and Nepal,<ref name=gur1>{{cite web |url=http://www.singapore21.org.sg/art_talent.html |title=Untitled Document |website=www.singapore21.org.sg |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051102065812/http://www.singapore21.org.sg/art_talent.html |archive-date=2 November 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> except that this agreement does not apply to Gurkhas employed in the [[Nepalese Army]]. Under the agreement, four Gurkha regiments of the [[British Indian Army]] were transferred to the [[British Army]] and six joined the [[Indian Army]].<ref name=gorakh1/> As of 2020, India has 39 Gurkha battalions serving in seven Gurkha regiments.<ref name=gorakh1>[https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/gurkha-recruitment-legacy-of-past-says-nepal-calls-1947-tripartite-agreement-redundant/630297 Gurkha recruitment legacy of past, says Nepal; calls 1947 tripartite agreement 'redundant'], ''Times of India'', 31 July 2020.</ref> Those transferred to the British Army were posted to other remaining British colonies. In [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]] and Singapore, their presence was required in the [[Malayan Emergency]], and they were to replace the [[Sikhs in the Indian and British Armies|Sikh]] unit in Singapore which reverted to the Indian Army on [[Independence Day (India)|Indian independence]].
In 1973, prisoners of the 1962 [[Brunei revolt]] escaped with the claimed help of a foreign warden.<ref name="ATG">{{cite web |date=3 February 2018 |title=Remembering the Gurkhas' role in ensuring Brunei's autonomy |url=https://asiatimes.com/2018/02/how-gurkha-rifles-contributed-to-brunei-half-a-century-ago/}}</ref> the Sultanate of Brunei decided to hire ex-Gurkhas from Hong Kong and Singapore as security after Singapore was consulted.<ref name="ATG" /> On 25 February 1974, Mohansing Gurung (ex-Singapore Police, presently settled in [[Kathmandu]]) became the first Gurkha to serve in Brunei.<ref name="ATG" /> The unit was known as the '''Gurkha Security Guard'''.<ref name="NT">{{cite web |date=14 December 2020 |title=A forgotten Gurkha rebellion |url=https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/a-forgotten-gurkha-rebellion/}}</ref> It was formed in 1974 and maintains approximately 2,000 [[Gurkha]]s.<ref name="nationsencyclopedia-Brunei">[http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Brunei-Darussalam.html Brunei Darussalam], [http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/index.html Encyclopedia of the Nations]</ref>
The government turned to alternative options to bolster the armed forces' strength in order to make up for the lack of regular troop recruiting. In order to fill the specialised Gurkha Reserve Unit, which was created out of former [[Royal Gurkha Rifles]] troops, an extensive recruiting campaign was launched in 1976. Compared to the Gurkhas of the British Army, this regiment was distinct. They stayed on to guard the Sultanate's [[internal security]] concerns. They rotated from their Brigade Headquarters in Hong Kong to [[Seria]]. Prior to [[National Day (Brunei)|Brunei's independence in 1984]], a confidential correspondence with [[Whitehall]] provided for their deployment. The Gurkha Battalion remained in the Sultanate at the cost of the Brunei government due to a confidential deal that was negotiated between Brunei and Britain.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Bachamiya A. Hussainmiya |date=2012-01-01 |title=Royal Brunei Arrmed Forces 50th anniversary Commemorative History |url=https://www.academia.edu/101474835 |journal=RBAF 50th Golden Anniversary Commemorative Book |pages=20}}</ref>
In contrast, the Gurkha Reserve Unit was directly commanded by the Sultan. Certain claim that this event was directly linked to the threat that certain political captives from Brunei felt was presented by their escape from the Berakas Prison, which occurred with the claimed help of a foreign warden. Static guard tasks were carried out by the GRU in 1973, mostly in the capital area. It was intended to relieve some of the strain on the already overworked [[Royal Brunei Police]] (RBP) and [[Royal Brunei Malay Regiment]] (RBMR).<ref name=":4" /> The '''Gurkha Reserve Unit''' was fully established in 1980.<ref name="ATG" />
[[Richard Luce, Baron Luce|Richard Luce]], the [[Minister of State (United Kingdom)|Minister of State]] at the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] (FCO), reportedly believed "it a good idea to help the new state to defend the rich oilfields," according to a 23 September 1983 [[Financial Times]] story. Furthermore, "aware that the Gurkha presence provides good experience for nearly 200 British [[military officer]]s and [[Non-commissioned officer|NCOs]], appeared content for them to stay," according to the [[British Ministry of Defence]].<ref name=":4" />
=== 1996 rebellion === [[File:Bandar Seri Begawan 9 September 2023 14.jpg|thumb|Sungai Akar Camp in 2023]] In the Sungai Akar Camp in September 1996, a few of the Gurkha troops were fed up with the way their British and Brunei superiors were treating them, met to determine the best method to [[protest]] and to bring awareness to this issue.<ref name=":3" /> Their complaints included being [[Mockery|ridiculed]] and [[Harassment|harassed]], as well as not receiving the right [[salary]], benefits, and free meals. In addition, they believed that Gurkha recruitment for the Brunei security forces should be handled by a separate treaty between Nepal and Brunei rather than by the [[British Army]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2020-12-14 |title=A forgotten Gurkha rebellion |url=https://nepalitimes.com/here-now/a-forgotten-gurkha-rebellion |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Nepali Times}}</ref>
Out of the 2,500 Gurkha soldiers in Brunei, more than 2,400 joined on to support the cause after our meeting created a governing committee and subcommittees. While they were in discussions with the leadership, [[Boycott|boycotting]] had begun on some of the top officials. One of their requests was the abolishment of the GRU. Their written [[memorandum]] was presented, but it was rejected. Then, all GRU weapons were abruptly returned to the government of Brunei one night, and their unit resumed its role as a security guard force. Other requests, such as a pay raise and an end to the [[Abuse|maltreatment]] by haughty officers.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />
Pressure was mounting as the issue once more came to a boil. It was clear that in order to enforce military discipline, the brass would take harsh action against whatever it deemed to be a mutiny and insubordination. As it turned out, 11 of them who were deemed to be the instigators were covertly [[Deportation|deported]], and without the rest of the unit knowing, and were sent to the [[Brunei International Airport]] to catch a flight back to Nepal. At the airport, they were waiting to board and were unaware that word had already spread about our dismissal and expulsion from the camp. The Nepali troops protested by encircling the headquarters building and demanding their dismissal, in response to the deteriorating situation and vandalism, HQ dispatched the [[riot police]].<ref name=":1" />
A few hours later, the [[Permanent Secretary]] of Brunei, hurried to the airport to ask what had transpired. He questioned and wanted to know whether they could persuade the Nepalis still camped there to return to their dorms and terminate the protest. Ram Kangdangwa retorted that he would if their employment was reinstated and was given permission to address the base population for a brief speech. Following his speech, the Nepali troops all dispersed. The Permanent Secretary apparently was taken aback by the Gurkhas' obedience and discipline, so he proceeded to speak with GRU commanders. He stated that Col. F. D. Scotson, the British commander in head of the GRU, had recently been sacked. The Permanent Secretary promised us that all of our other requests, including those for a pay and pension, would be satisfied now that Scotson had left office and the GRU had returned to its previous position as a security force.<ref name=":1" />
=== Present day === On 25 February 1999, the GRU celebrated their 25th [[Silver Jubilee]].<ref name=":3" />
On 2 May 2001 at the Sungai Akar Camp, the unit staged its first "Long Service and Good Conduct Medal" award ceremony. In all, 237 personnel—11 officers and 226 soldiers of various ranks—were awarded medals by the deputy minister of defence, [[Ibnu Basit Apong|Pengiran Ibnu Ba'asith]] upon completion of nine years of meritorious service. According to him, the unit's main responsibility is to keep "designated government buildings, installations, and key points" secure around-the-clock. Additionally, they aid the [[Royal Brunei Police Force]] (RBPF) and other governmental organizations in their monitoring and search operations.<ref name=":3" />
Brunei has raised almost $166,000 for the victims of the [[List of earthquakes in Nepal|Nepal earthquake]], and on 22 June 2015 transfer ceremony saw the Gurkha Reserve Unit donate $2,667. Since it began on 30 April, the Humanitarian Fund for Nepal's Earthquake Victims has amassed $166,585.53. The contributions were presented to Noridah Abdul Hamid, acting director of the Community Development Department at the [[Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (Brunei)|Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports]], by LTC Rani Bujang, commandant of the GRU.<ref>{{Cite web |title=More donations for Nepal {{!}} The BT Archive |url=https://btarchive.org/news/national/2015/06/23/more-donations-nepal |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=btarchive.org}}</ref>
The GRU's K9 Section hired Dog Force Australia in the middle of 2019 to offer a Train the Trainer Course to six of their seasoned handlers. The course's main goal was to provide the students with the knowledge and abilities necessary for the unit to train handlers in explosive detection, [[Search and rescue dog|searching]] and [[Guard dog|patrol duties]]. Numerous new training approaches were incorporated into the unit's current training program as a result of the training program's exceptionally positive reception.<ref name=":2" />
==Units== * Guard Unit (GD UNIT) * Support Unit (SP UNIT) * K-9 Unit (K-9 UNIT)<ref name=":2" />
==See also== * [[Royal Brunei Armed Forces]] * [[Gurkha|Gurkhas]] of the [[British Indian Army]] (1858–1947) * [[Gorkha regiments (India)]], seven regiments in India which is the original parent force for the units in Singapore and Brunei * [[Gurkha Contingent]] (Singapore) * [[Brigade of Gurkhas]] (British Army) * [[Royal Gurkha Rifles]] (British Army)
==References== {{Country study}}{{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *[http://www.photius.com/countries/nepal/national_security/nepal_national_security_gurkhas_serving_abro~10154.htmlGurkas Serving abroad] — at Photius.com *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080117160705/http://www.geocities.com/pacific_oob/RBAF.htm RBAF Order of Battle] *[https://www.army.mod.uk/gurkhas/27784.aspx Brigade of Gurkhas] — British Army website
{{Military of Brunei}} {{Asia topic|Military of|title=Militaries of Asia|PS=Palestinian_National_Security_Forces}} {{Asia topic|Law enforcement in}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Military of Brunei]] [[Category:Gurkhas]] [[Category:Law enforcement agencies of Brunei]] [[Category:1974 establishments in Brunei]]