The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar on Wednedsay proposed to the Johor government to revive the Johor Volunteer Forces (JVF) in efforts to increase the efficiency, discipline and integrity of its staff and officers.

Sultan Ibrahim said the proposal could also boost the volunteer spirit of Johoreans in defending the sovereignty of the Johor royal institution, including the unity and prosperity of the state.

"Membership into JVF troops will be open to all Johoreans, regardless of race, religion or political lineage, but based on qualification and criteria that will be set," he said at the changing of insignia for the Royal Johor Military Force (JMF) at Dataran Istana Besar, here Wednesday.

Sultan Ibrahim who is also the Commandant of JMF, attended the ceremony with Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, Tunku Mahkota Johor, Tunku Ismail who is also the Commanding officer of JMF, Yang Mulia Che' Puan Khaleeda Bustamam, Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris, Tunku Puteri Johor Tunku Tun Aminah and Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.

Sultan Ibrahim said JVF members will also be given basic military training while serving as volunteers in assisting the government in the field of public defence and any other suitable volunteer programmes or during disasters and society service to the people of the state.

He said, the late Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar had inspired the birth of a volunteer force known as the 'Johor Volunteer Infantry' in 1905, which was later changed to JVF, and he even awarded insignias to the JVF troop on September 7, 1935.

According to Sultan Ibrahim, JVF was established to train Malay Johoreans to become government administrative officers who were equipped with military training as the late Sultan Ibrahim believed that officers with military training will be more disciplined, prestigious and more efficient.

"Members of the Johor Civil Service (JCS) have been inducted and given military training under JVF. History has also witnessed the ceremonial all-white uniform equipped with a JVF cap and sword, made as the state ceremonial attire for administrative officers.

"Thus, that is why until now, JCS is the only public service institution in Malaysia that has a ceremonial sword as proof of its ties with JVF," said Sultan Ibrahim.

He added that many Johor leaders began their career at JMF and JVF, which includes the third Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Abdullah Jaafar, sixth Johor Menteri Besar, Ungku Abdul Azizi Abdul Majid as well as seventh Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Jaafar.

The JVF was disbanded in 1942 during the second world war.

Meanwhile, as for JMF that was established in 1886, Sultan Ibrahim envisioned that the force would become better, efficient and be equipped with the quality to shoulder the responsibility of defending the sovereignity of the state and country.

He said the JMF has no intention to be the frontliner of the nation's defence, as the title 'Deputy' is enough to depict JMF's role as the second line of defence.

"As such, it is hoped that the good ties established between JMF and ATM will not be spoilt by other parties.

"The JMF also conducts trainings with the Malaysian Armed Forces, especially with the Special Service Group, and as such, I want more of JMF to send for military training, be it on land, in the waters or in skies," he said.

Sultan Ibrahim also expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the Federal government and the states for strengthening the JMF organisation with the approval of additional posts and standardisation of the salary scheme that was comparable to the Armed Forces.

Regarding the insignia, Sultan Ibrahim said, it symbolised the honour of the force that needs to be upheld.

He said, the inaugural JMF insignia was awarded by the late Sultan Ibrahim on May 11, 1916 - 30 years after JMF was set up by the late Sultan Iskandar ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail when he was installed the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, of which he later bestowed new insignia in conjunction with the 100th anniversary celebration of JMF in 1986.

"Today, marks the 130th anniversary celebration of the establishment of JMF, and it gives me great pleasure to bestow these new royal insignias to JMF," he said.

Previously, during the changing of insignia, Sultan Ibrahim had conducted a parade inspection involving seven officers and 190 members of JMF led by Major Jalalludin Hamsan.

The insignias were paraded out later and new ones exchanged before a pledge was read by Tunku Ismail.