Panglima (archaic form: penglima, Jawi: Malay: {{Script/Arabic|ڤڠليم) a military title used in Indonesia and Malaysia, and historically in the Philippines. It means 'a commander of a body of troops' deriving from lima, a long-obsolete word for 'hand'.[1] [2] In the past it is used to call some prominent military leaders in Malay world. The prominent Malacca and succeeding Johore Sultanates place the position of a penglima as below that of a menteri.[3] Walter William Skeat writes that Semang tribes north of Malay Peninsula are often headed by shamans (belian) also titled pelima.[4]
In modern times it is reserved for the chiefs of the armed forces of Indonesia and Malaysia and some other posts.
As stipulated in article 10 of Indonesian Constitution, the President of Indonesia is the Supreme Commander of Indonesian Armed Forces (Indonesian: Panglima Tertinggi Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia).[5] Essentially it is parallel to the title 'Commander-in-Chief' in other countries, e.g. the United States.
During the Old Order era, this title is included into many honorific titles that were often mentioned each time Sukarno's name was written or read in speeches, edicts, or news.
In Indonesian National Armed Forces the highest position overseeing the three branches—Army, Navy, and Air Force—is known as the Indonesian: Panglima Tentara National Indonesia ('Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces'). Before the National Police separated from the Armed Forces in 2000, the organization comprised four branches and was known as Indonesian: Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia (ABRI). This included the TNI and the Police. The commander of the Armed Forces at that time was referred to as the Indonesian: Panglima ABRI, commonly abbreviated as Indonesian: Pangab.
According to the revised Constitution Indonesian: Panglima TNI is appointed by the President but the appointment must first be confirmed by the House of Representatives. Prior to the 2002 constitutional amendment, the President held the prerogative to appoint or dismiss Indonesian: Panglima TNI at their discretion.
The honorific title Indonesian: Panglima Besar, meaning 'Grand Commander' was informally bestowed upon Sudirman, the first Commander of the Armed Forces and a key leader of guerilla war during Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949).
The title Indonesian: Panglima is widely used across various branches and formations within the Indonesian Armed Forces, signifying its importance in military leadership roles:
Upon the formation of the Fourth Working Cabinet on 19 November 1963, the title Indonesian: Panglima was used for the commanders of each branch of the Indonesian Armed Forces.[6] These commanders were also members of the Cabinet and were therefore given the title Indonesian: Menteri (Minister), appointed directly by the President. Their titles were as follows:
This practice was discontinued during the New Order era, when the title Indonesian: Panglima was replaced with Indonesian: Kepala Staf (Chief of Staff) for the commanders of the three military branches and Indonesian: Kepala Kepolisian Republik Indonesia for the Chief of the National Police.
Additionally, until January 2022, the National Air Defence Forces Command (Indonesian: Komando Pertahanan Udara Nasional or Indonesian: Kohanudnas) also used the title Indonesian: Panglima for its highest position, Indonesian: Panglima Kohanudnas, as well as for the commanders of each Air Defense Sector (Indonesian: Panglima Komando Sektor Pertahanan Udara Nasional or Indonesian: Pangkosek Hanudnas).
In the Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia), the highest position overseeing the branches—Army, Navy, and Air Force—is called the [[Chief of Defence Forces (Malaysia)|Panglima Angkatan Tentera Malaysia]] (officially translated as "'Chief of Defence Force'").
Each branch of the Malaysian Armed Forces is headed by a Panglima. Chief of Army is known as the Panglima Tentera Darat, the Chief of Navy as the Panglima Tentera Laut, and the Chief of Air Force as the Panglima Tentera Udara. Each of these branches also has a deputy commander, titled Timbalan Panglima (Deputy Chief).
The term 'Panglima' is also used in several titles within the orders and decorations of Malaysia, such as [[Order of the Defender of the Realm#Commander|Panglima Mangku Negara]] (P.M.N), [[Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia#Commander|Panglima Setia Mahkota]] (P.S.M.), [[Order of Meritorious Service#About the award|Panglima Jasa Negara]] (P.J.N.), and [[Order of Loyalty to the Royal Family of Malaysia#Commander|Panglima Setia Diraja]] (P.S.D.).
Additionally, PASKAL, Royal Malaysian Navy's special operation force, is also referred to as [[PASKAL#Panglima Hitam|Panglima Hitam]].