Introduction
GERAK is a lesser-used command (and probably lesser-known as well) to move the contingent forward, backward, left, or right. The command looks something like SATU/DUA/TIGA/EMPAT/LIMA LANGKAH KE KIRI/KANAN/HADAPAN/BELAKANG GERAK. Let me go through this monstrosity step-by-step.
The first bit, SATU/DUA/TIGA/EMPAT/LIMA, are Malay numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 respectively). PLease memorise them. These numbers tell you how many steps to move. The next phrase, LANGKAH, means ‘step’ (e.g. SATU LANGKAH = 1 step). The next one, KE KIRI/KANAN/HADAPAN/BELAKANG, are the diffrernt direction to move. It would be either to the left, right, forward, or backward respectively. GERAK after that just means ‘move’. To put it all together, TIGA LANGKAH KE KENAN GERAK means to ‘take 3 steps to the right’. Note that you will rarely be asked to move an even number of steps, more so an odd number. This is because it would be more natural when moving forward and backward, if I’m not wrong.
I will cover moving left/right and forward/backward seperately, as they have a difference.
(…) LANGKAH KE KIRI/KANAN GERAK
For this, you move sideways the specified number of steps. Always start on the leg which the direction is pointing. So if you’re supposed to go left, start with your left leg, and vice-versa.
The timing, for, say TIGA LANGKAH (…) GERAK is 3-2-2-2-1-2. For moving left or right, your legs have to be at a 90° angle. Step on every alternate number from the 1st number, and stomp on every alternate number from the 2nd number. It’ll look like this: 3 (step)-2 (stomp)-2 (step)-2 (stomp)-1(step)-2 (stomp). Pause after each stomp for a fraction of a second. Note that there is a 2 between each count down, for you o stomp. So, SATU LANGKAH will be 1-2, DUA as 2-2-1-2, TIGA as 3-2-2-2-1-2, EMPAT as 4-2-3-2-2-2-1-2, and LIMA as 5-2-4-2-3-2-2-2-1-2.
(…) LANGKAH KE HADAPAN/BELAKANG GERAK
For this, you move forward or backward (HADAPAN and BELAKANG respectively). The timing is not like moving sideways: there is no 2 between each count down. E.g. for TIGA LANGKAH, it’ll just be 3-2-1-2 The only 2 to stomp on is at the end, after 1. Your unit may call it check, but it’s the same thing.
For moving forward or backward with GERAK, always start moving on the left foot, and do not raise your foot up to 90° with each step. Ensure that you take smaller steps if you’re at the front, and take the same steps as others in your row, to maintain your neat rows.
Generally, moving forward or backward with GERAK will be an odd number (SATU/TIGA/LIMA), so that you stomp on the right foot at the end, instead of the left.
Conclusion
GERAK is a relatively simple command, just that there is a different timing for moving forward/backward and left/right. It’s important to take note of the difference and keep this in mind when executing the GERAK command. Good luck!