Gurkha Reserve Unit (Brunei)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: |
no
|
| PGM ID Number: |
6
|
| Country: |
Brunei |
| Date formed: |
Jan. 1, 1984 |
| Accuracy of date formed: |
day
|
| Details of Formation: |
The Gurkha Reserve Unit was formed in 1974 (Wikipedia). Since Brunei was a British Protectorate until 1 Jan 1984, 1984 is used as the PGM’s start date. |
| Date dissolved: |
Aug. 1, 1997 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: |
month
|
| Details of Termination: |
In 1997, Brunei disarmed the Gurkha Reserve Unit for disciplinary reasons after Gurkha members had protested against their former British commanders. The Gurkha Reserve Unit continued to exist and provided security to infrastructure and assistance to the police and other government agencies. There is no evidence that they were rearmed. |
| Termination Type(s): |
disarmed
|
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): |
none
|
| Successor group(s): |
none
|
| Private Military Company? |
no |
| Former Group? |
yes |
| Former Armed Group? |
yes |
| Former Rebel Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? |
no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: |
semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: |
no |
Main Creating Government Institution: |
none
|
| Government Link(s): |
person/minister
|
| If link to party, name of party: |
|
| Training and Equipment: |
no |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: |
no |
| Shared Personnel: |
no information |
| Type(s) of Material Support: |
domestic government
|
| State Sponsor(s): |
none
|
| Other Connection(s): |
|
Group Characteristics
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Membership: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Purpose: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: |
not applicable
|
Other Information
| Other Information: |
The Gurkha Reserve Unit (Malay: Unit Simpanan Gurkha) is a special elite guard (Wikipedia). It is commonly known as “the Praetorian Guard”. Members are Nepalese Gurkhas recruited by Brunei after their service in the British army. |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: |
The Gurkha Reserve unit’s purpose was to protect the sultan and the Royal Family, as well as major oil installations (Wikipedia). According to a news source, the fact that the personal safety of the Sultan is entrusted to the Gurkha is considered a hint that the sultan does not trust the loyalty of his own armed forces. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use |
coup-proofing
|
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: |
|
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: |
unknown
|
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? |
no information |
| PGM Members Paid? |
yes |
| Reasons for Membership: |
Members are recruited by the Sultan. They are well paid and housed. |
| PGM Members Killed? |
no information |
PGM Size
| Size: |
The Gurkha Reserve Unit had around 2,000 members in 1997 and maintained that number (Wikipedia). |
Weapons and Training
Organisation
| Organisation: |
The Gurkha Reserve Unit works under the command of the Sultan and is subordinate to the Security and Defence Section of the Brunei Ministry of Home Affairs (Wikipedia). A news source of 1984 says that they were commanded by retired British officers. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Wikipedia. “Gurkha Reserve Unit”. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gurkha_Reserve_Unit&oldid=738782847
Evidence
