General Operations Force

The General Operations Force (Malay: Pasukan Gerakan Am; PGA) is the paramilitary arm of the Royal Malaysia Police. The General Operations Force was established in 1948 during the Malayan Emergency by the British Administration when Malaya was a Colony. The Police service was mobilised to the field role, primarily to engage Communist Terrorist guerrillas during the emerging Insurgency. When Malaysia was formed in 1963, this Law Enforcement agency was then known as the Police Field Force. The title was adopted when it dropped the previous handle widely referred to as the Jungle Squad (Malay: Pasukan Polis Hutan, PPH).

History

The British Military Administration (BMA) had mobilisations the police General Duties assume the role of the military effort against the insurgencies. Jungle Squad was established in the year 1948 for the purpose against communist terrorists. Initially when raised, the new police arm was called the Flying Squad. However, the moniker is then converted by the name "Jungle Squad" in the line with its major role against communist terrorists in the forest. In 1951, Jungle Squad restructured and became known as "Jungle Company". Whereas in 1953, the Jungle Company continue to be augmented and known by the name Police Field Force (PPH). It is under the command of Police Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya and later Malaysia was established when the order was placed under the Chief of Police. The Jungle Company was then deployed together with the British Army to infiltrate and track down communist insurgents operating in the jungles of Malaya. The strength of a single platoon then consisted of a mixture of 15 personnels led by a Lance Corporal to an Inspector. Over the period covering the Malayan Emergency (1948 - 1960) the Police Field Force suffered over 1,000 casualties.

The Police Field Force was also involved during the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontations. In various actions during the Confrontation, the Police Field Force detained Indonesian Irregulars sent to the peninsula, with the view of running clandestine operations on Malaysian soil. Following the May 13, 1969 incident was the Malaysian government will realize the importance of a team mobile and independent and more capable to the facing of public order situations.

Following the disarmament of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) on 2 December 1989, the organizations of Police Field Force suffered to reformed with attenuation of 21 battalions to the 17 battalions on 1 September 1994. PPH changed its name to the General Operations Force (PGA) on October 20, 1997. On November 11, 1997, the submission of the RMP pennants ceremony officiated by the King of Malaysia. This change of name in accordance with the rating duties GOF background itself. Prior to this duties in GOF associated with the forest for combating the communist threats. After communist disarms on 2 December 1989, GOF task has changed in the scenario is more variety.

Next on July 1, 2004, 19th Battalions was established officially in addition to the existing GOF battalion. It serves to provide security to dignitaries, buildings and a residence involving 89 VVIP locations around the Klang Valley. Their focus on efforts to protect the security of borders and territorial waters of invasion threats and illegal immigrants, robbery and smuggling at sea, carry out tasks to help maintain the public order and preventing the crime.

Chronology / Incidents

In June 3, 1976, 35 recruits from Police Field Force members has been ambushed by the communist bandits at Bukit Keramat Pulai, Perak. During the incident at 12:45pm, Cpl 31507 who a platoon leader as well as instructor was fatally shot in his side of the eye. Four trainers such as TPC 63897, TPC 63899 and TPC 64010 also killed about 15 metres from communist control post. However, TPC 60899 Mohamad Salim and his teammates returning enemy fire. Shortly, this platoon successfully capture the communist stronghold which modified like a house after the communist was retreating after receive violent opposition from the trainees. On extraordinary courageous, TPC 60899 and TPC Mohammad Noh Hashim was awarded Panglima Gagah Berani one years later.^[1][2]

Training

The first Training Centre was based at Sik, Kedah in 1949. Successful candidates trained there were sent on to the Police Field Force. Another School for the Police Field Force was openend in Sungai Buluh, Selangor with the aim of conducting basic training and refresher courses. In 1953, one new training centre was established in Dusun Tua, Hulu Langat, Selangor renamed the Jungle Squad Training Centre (Malay: Sekolah Latihan Pasukan Polis Hutan; SLPPH). In year 1964, the SLPPH was transferred to Kroh, Perak following the closure of the first two centres. The training centre itself was transferred again to Kentonmen, Ulu Kinta, Perak. The current title is the Pasukan Gerakan Am (General Operations Force), or the Sekolah Latihan Pasukan Gerakan Am, SLPGA (English: General Operations Forces Training Centre).

Weaponry

The firearms used by GOF during the year 1948 - 1980s.

The firearms used by GOF during the year 1980 - presents.

Area of Responsibility

GOF Functions

The General Operations Force are deployed, equipped and trained for specified roles in times of peace and during emergencies. The various roles include neutralizing armed criminals, border patrols, counter terrorism, anti piracy and maritime security. The GOF also assists in general duties such as public security, close quarters combat in urban settings and anti smuggling patrols. In times of conflict or emergency, GOF brigades are used primarily for assigned duties in counter terrorism and anti - guerrilla warfare. A brigade is essentially trained, equipped and organized for paramilitary roles in the field and also for insertion in major urban conurbations. All personnel are drawn from mainline Police Training Schools and inducted to GOF Training Centres, with the view of completing the study of anti guerrilla warfare and military training courses before graduating to GOF Battalions. Where borders are perilously dangerous, GOF units are deployed in localised security sweeps and defense operations. The GOF also employs units in riots and disturbances where necessary.

Organization

The Royal Malaysia Police General Operations Force is organised along military lines consisting of Brigades, Battalions, Companies, Platoons and Sections deployed where needed.

GOF Brigades

There are currently five brigades located in both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia and every Brigade is headed by those ranked Senior Assistant Commissioner II (SAC II) or above. The Northern Brigade based in Sabah, Borneo is composed of four battalions. There are a total of 11 Battalions split into three Brigades in peninsular Malaysia, and three battalions based in Sarawak. Every Brigade in the General Operations Force possesses one lightly armoured squadron.

GOF Battalions

GOF has a strength of 20 battalions located in both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia with each commanded by a Police Superintendent. Each battalion consists of about three infantry companies and one mortar platoon.

Senoi Praaq

The Senoi Praaq means War People in the language of the Semai Indigenous people of Peninsula Malaysia. The formation was moved to the Police Field Force in 1968 and increased to two battalions. The Senoi Praaq were established in 1957 employed with tracking and security roles, apart from performing the main function of contact to the aborigines peoples. Manned by the aborigines of Peninsular Malaysia that were skilled for their jungle tracking, it was successful in engaging the communist terrorists during the Malayan Emergency. The Senooi Praaq can be distinguished from other mainline GOF Battalions by the use of the distinctive maroon beret and red hackle.

Tiger Platoon

Apart from the separate 69 Commando in Pasukan Gerakan Khas, the GOF established new units to operate in all mainline Battalions. These platoons were formed for special assignments, covert and overt operations and Search And Rescue, and are known generally as the Tiger Platoons.

Tasked In The Year

The Police GOF was successful in dealing with the armed rebellion led by the communist terrorists in Malaysia. Today the roles of the General Operations Force includes border and maritime security, anti piracy patrols, counter-terrorism, public security, search and rescue (SAR) and organized crime. On October 20, 1997, the Police Field Force letterhead was changed to the new title; the General Operations Force or Pasukan Gerakan Am composed of 19 battalions organised in five brigades, deployed in both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. In June, 2004, one specialised battalion was tasked for VVIP security. It is the GOF 19th Battalion, based in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. In 2008, the GOF 20th Battalion was established and tasked specifically for airport special security in KLIA.

Operations

• 1948 - 1960 - During the Malayan Emergency, the Police Field Force were involved in security and offensive operations against communist insurgents.
• 1963 - 1966 - The service together with military forces to fight against the Indonesian soldiers during the Confrontation.^[3]
• 1968 - 1989 - The Police Field Force deployed to track down the Communist Terrorists before the CPM accepted unconditional surrender in 1989.
• 1969 - The Police Field Force involved in security roles during the May 13, 1969 riots in Kuala Lumpur.
• 2001 - The General Operations Force supported the Pasukan Gerakan Khas anti-terror police to track downed Mat Komando, the crime leader of Gang 13 before he killed in shoot-out in the hut at Kampung Hujung Keton, Pendang, Kedah.
• 2007 - The Royal Malaysia Police deployed a force of 136 men from the Sarawak General Operations Force to Timor Leste. The force will join the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste, employed in the peace-keeping role.

References

1. ^ "Ambushed by communist - Four teammates down". Utusan Malaysia. 2005-03-31. http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2005&dt=0331&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Polis_%26_Tentera&pg=te_03.htm&arc=hive. Retrieved 2009-03-25. 
2. ^ "Musa Hussain - Bitter event almost took the life". Utusan Malaysia. 2003-05-01. http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2003&dt=0501&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Tentera&pg=te_01.htm&arc=hive. Retrieved 2009-03-25. 
3. ^ NZ Malaya Veterans

Enternal Links

• Pasukan Gerakan Am website