Armed Forces Day in Malaysia Date in the current year: September 16, 2024

The history of the Malaysian Armed Forces began in the 1930s during British colonial rule. On January 23, 1933, the Federal Council of Federated Malay States passed the bill that officially created the Malay Regiment. The first soldiers were recruited on March 1, 1933. A battalion was formed in 1938, it was joined by a second battalion in 1941. The navy was formed in 1934, and the air force was officially established in 1958.

Currently, the Malaysian Armed Forces consist of three service branches: the Malaysian Army, the Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force. The country's military has about 110,000 active personnel and 296,000 reserve personnel. Malaysia does not have conscription, the minimum age for voluntary military service is 18. The head of state (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Malaysian Armed Forces Day coincides with Malaysia Day, a national holiday that commemorates the establishment of the Malaysian federation in 1963. So all events and activities dedicated to Armed Forces Day are part of the Malaysia Day celebration.