General Operations Force
The General Operations Force is the light infantry 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 engaging Communist guerrillas during the emerging Insurgency. When Malaysia was formed in 1963, this law enforcement unit 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.
History
The Jungle Squad was based on the Malay States Guides which was formed in 1826. The Malay States Guides was a paramilitary force with an initial strength of 900 members and was led by R. S. F. Walker as its first commandant. The regiment was involved in World War I and together with Field Force Aden, they fought Ottoman forces in the Southwest of South Arabia for five years. The regiment was disbanded for reasons of economy in 1919.The British Military Administration had mobilised the police General Duties to assume the role of the military effort against the insurgencies. The Jungle Squad was established in 1948 for that purpose against communist terrorists. Initially the new police arm was called the Flying Squad. However, it was renamed the "Jungle Squad" in the line with its major role against communist terrorists in the forest. In 1951, the Jungle Squad restructured and became known as "Jungle Company". In 1953, the Jungle Company continued to be augmented and became known by the name Police Field Force. It was under the command of the Police Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya and later when Malaysia was established it 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 personnel led by a Lance Corporal to an Inspector. Over the period covering the Malayan Emergency 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, the Malaysian government realised the importance of a mobile and independent team and more capable to the facing of public order situations.
Following the disarmament of the Malayan Communist Party on 2 December 1989, the Police Field Force was reformed with attenuation from 21 battalions to 17 battalions on 1 September 1994. PPH changed its name to the General Operations Force on 20 October 1997. On 11 November 1997, the submission of the RMP pennants ceremony was 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 the communists disarmed on 2 December 1989, GOF tasks changed in that scenarios became more varied.
Organisations
Prior to 1997, besides the regular Jungle Squad, there were a few specialised units attached to Police Field Forces:- Commando Force; "PPH 69"
- Senoi Praaq Force
- Border Scouts
- Unit Kawalan Kawasan
- Unit Pencegah Penyeludupan
At present, 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 or above. The five GOF brigades are:- GOF Northern Brigade; based in Ulu Kinta, Perak - led by SAC Balveer Singh Mahindra Singh
- GOF Central Brigade; based in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur - lead by SAC Hakemal Hawari of VAT 69 Commando
- GOF Southeast Brigade; based in Kuantan, Pahang - led by SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain
- GOF Sarawak Brigade; based in Kuching, Sarawak - led by SAC Lim Bak Phai
- GOF Sabah Brigade; based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah - led by SAC Nor Omar Sappi
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
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 with the aborigines peoples. Manned by aborigines of Peninsular Malaysia that were skilled in jungle tracking, it was successful in engaging the communist terrorists during the Malayan Emergency. The Senoi Praaq can be distinguished from other mainline GOF battalions by the use of the distinctive maroon beret and red hackle.Tiger Platoons
With the separation of 69 Commando, which is now part of the Pasukan Gerakan Khas, the General Operations Force Command established new versatile units with Special Operations capability to operate in all GOF brigades. These elite platoons were formed for special assignments, covert and overt operations and Search And Rescue, and are known generally as the Tiger Platoons.Tiger Platoons from GOF Sabah and Sarawak Brigades actively operates as the region's main special operations forces as both states are located far from Pasukan Gerakan Khas Headquarters.
GOF roles
The General Operations Force are deployed, equipped and trained for specified roles in times of peace and during emergencies. The various roles include neutralising 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 organised 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 defence operations. The GOF also employs units in riots and disturbances where necessary.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 opened in Sungai Buloh, 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. 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. In 1997, the training centre is renamed to Sekolah Latihan Pasukan Gerakan Am, SLPGA in line with the change of name of the Police Field Force to current Pasukan Gerakan Am. On 22 September 2006, the training centre once again change its name to Pusat Latihan PGA .It is a must for GOF police officers to enter the GOF Basic Course. The course last for 14 weeks and they together with Senoi Praaq trainees need to attend Public Order Reserve Unit before they can graduate.
The modules of the GOF Basic Course are:
- Physical Training
- Weapon Training
- Field Skills Module
- Combat Skills Module
- Operation Techniques Module
- Intelligence Module
- Counter-insurgency Module
- Conventional Warfare Module
- Public Order Module
- Public Policy Module
Headquarters
| Battalion | Speciality | Headquarters | Commanding Officer |
| GOF 1st Battalion | Ulu Kinta, Ipoh, Perak | Supt Oi Jing Bing | |
| GOF 2nd Battalion | Kulim, Kedah | Supt Sivakumar Saminathan | |
| GOF 3rd Battalion | Special Trackers | Bidor, Perak | Supt Azhar Hashim |
| GOF 4th Battalion | Semenyih, Hulu Langat, Selangor | Supt Amanjit Singh | |
| GOF 5th Battalion | Simpang Renggam, Johor | Supt Salehin Soleiman | |
| GOF 6th Battalion | Bakri, Muar, Johor | Supt Shoaimi Ismail | |
| GOF 7th Battalion | Bukit Galing, Kuantan,Pahang | Supt Davidson Tanggapan | |
| GOF 8th Battalion | Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan | Supt Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman | |
| GOF 9th Battalion | Kubang Badak, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu | Supt Mannadzar Nasib | |
| GOF 10th Battalion | Sibu, Sarawak | Supt Yusuf Baki Khan | |
| GOF 11th Battalion | Bukit Kawa,Kuching, Sarawak | Supt Ku Majidin Che Jusoh | |
| GOF 12th Battalion | Miri, Sarawak | Supt Mazlan Mohamed | |
| GOF 14th Battalion | Tawau, Sabah | Supt Anselius Marcus | |
| GOF 15th Battalion | Sandakan, Sabah | Supt Wilynton E. Watt | |
| GOF 16th Battalion | Kota Kinabalu, Sabah | Supt Jaswent Singh Sadu Singh | |
| GOF 17th Battalion | Lahad Datu, Sabah | Supt Victor Cardona | |
| GOF 18th Battalion | Special Trackers | Pengkalan Hulu, Perak | Supt Raja Hafiz Bin Raja Razak |
| GOF 19th Battalion | Area Security of VVIP | Cheras, Kuala Lumpur | ACP Rajab Ahad Ismail |
| GOF 20th Battalion | ESSZONE Security | Beluran, Sabah | Supt Mohd Yusoff Daud |
| GOF 21st Battalion | Keningau,Sabah | P/Supt Hairulnizam Rashid | |
| Tiger Platoon | Special Operations Capable | Every GOF Brigades Headquarters |
The GOF battalions will be assisted by armoured car from:
- 1st Armored Squadron Kulim, Kedah
- 3rd Armored Squadron Ulu Kinta, Perak
- 5th Armored Squadron Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
- 7th Armored Squadron Bakri, Muar, Johor
- 9th Armored Squadron Kuantan, Pahang
- 11th Armored Squadron Kuching, Sarawak