The Royal Malaysia Police (often abbreviated RMP) is a (primarily) uniformed national and federal police force in Malaysia. The force is a centralised organisation. Its headquarters are located at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. The police force is led by an Inspector-General of Police (IGP) who, as of 4 May 2021, is Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.
The constitution, control, employment, recruitment, funding, discipline, duties and powers of the police force are specified and governed by the Police Act 1967. In carrying out its responsibilities, the regular RMP is also assisted by a support group of Extra Police Constables, Police Volunteer Reserves, Auxiliary Police, Police Cadets and a civilian service element.
The RMP constantly co-operates closely with police forces worldwide, including from those six neighbouring countries Malaysia shares a border with: Indonesian National Police, Philippine National Police, Royal Brunei Police Force, Royal Thai Police, Singapore Police Force and Vietnam People’s Public Security.
History
A police force has been in existence in Malaysia since the days of the Malacca Sultanate. Malacca’s canonical law created what was essentially a police force in Malaysia in the fifteenth century, through the institution of the Temenggung and Hulubalang, or royal warriors. During the Sultan of Malacca’s absence, the Bendahara, or Prime Minister, held absolute authority, with the power to hand out sentences, but it was the Temenggung who acted as the Police Chief or Inspector General of Police. His tasks were to arrest criminals, build jails and implement sentences. Apart from the Temenggung, there were a number of Penghulu or village chiefs who had the duty of policing their respective villages. Their main tasks included tax collection, law enforcement and preserving village security. These Malacca police systems ended when, on 10 August 1511, a Portuguese fleet led by Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Malacca for the Portuguese crown. Police duties were then largely performed by the Portuguese soldiers.
During the sixteenth century, Malaysia became a cosmopolitan society and the Portuguese government introduced the Kapitan administration. On 14 January 1641, however, the Portuguese lost Malacca to the Dutch Empire, when the Dutch invaded with the help of soldiers from Johor state, at a time when the Portuguese were at war with the Sultanate of Acheh. The Dutch retained the Kapitan system, but when the growing number of Europeans in Malaysia made change necessary, a police force known as the ‘Burgher Guard’ was established. The Burgher Guard was controlled by the Dutch, but their subordinates were made up of the local citizens. Village leaders continued to assume the duties of policemen under Dutch rule, as they had since before the Portuguese arrived.
Following the assimilation of Malacca into the British Empire in 1795, a modern police organisation in Malaysia was formed, on 25 March 1807, after the Charter of Justice in Penang was granted. Most of the officers were of British origin. Later, this organisation was developed in the Straits Settlements and other Malay states, particularly the Federated Malay States. At that time, independent police forces were established for each respective state. Only after World War II was a central police organisation formed, known as the Civil Affairs Police Force. This organisation was formed in Malaya and led by a British colonial, H.B. Longworthy, who had to stabilise the police forces after the anarchy of Japanese occupation. One of the immediate problems faced by the police at this time was the rebellion of the communist party. During the confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia, which lasted from 1963 to 1965, the police force, along with military forces, fought against the infiltration of Indonesian forces into the states of Johor and Sabah.
Almost a year after Independence Day, on 24 July 1958, the King of Malaysia, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhamad, bestowed the title Royal to the Malayan Federations Police Force. In 1963, the Royal Federation of Malayan Police (RFMP), the North Borneo Armed Constabulary and the Sarawak Constabulary were merged to form the Royal Malaysia Police. The Singapore Police Force became a component unit of the RMP until Singapore’s independence in 1965.
Insignia
The flag and insignia of the Royal Malaysia Police has a blue-coloured background which symbolises the Malaysian masses. In the centre of the flag is the PDRM symbol coloured silver or white. The police symbol is made up of an intersected Kris and Ilang / Klewang machete. Above the PDRM symbol, there is a tiger head in a garland of Paddy flowers, with a scroll underneath bearing the name Polis Diraja Malaysia. Arabic lettering in the Crown includes the words Allah on the right and Muhammad on the left.
Moon and star
The Moon and Star symbolises Islam as the official religion of Malaysia.
Crown
The crown, depicted on the Royal Malaysia Police insignia, is a panegyric reference to the King of Malaysia, bestowing the “Royal” title to its name. The words Allah and Muhammad in Arabic, which respectively symbolize Allah the Almighty and Muhammad as the Messenger, signifies Islam as the official religion and faith of RMP personnel are willing to uphold justice and the security of the people of Malaysia.
Kris and the Ilang sword
The Kris is an important symbol of the Malay Peninsular. This particular weapon was used by Malay warriors in the past. According to Frey (2003), who concluded from Sir Stamford Raffles’ (1817) study of the Candi Sukuh, the kris came into existence around AD 1361. Others believe that early forms were inspired by the daggers of the Dong-Son in Vietnam (circa 300 BC). In the temples of Borobudur (825 CE) and Prambanan (850CE), renderings of the Kris have been found.
The traditional machete, Ilang or Klewang symbolises the states of Sarawak and Sabah in East Malaysia and it represents the spirit of heroism of a multitude of ethnic tribes such as the Dayak, Dusun, Bajau and Kadazan.
Tiger head
The tiger head symbolises courage, strength and spirits of RMP. Previously, RMP used a lion head as the symbol of courage from 16 September 1963, after the formation of Malaysia, until 15 May 1994, when it was replaced with the tiger head by an official order of Malaysian government. The former lion head also symbolised the states of Singapore (until 1965) and Sabah.
Paddy flower
Paddy flower is a reference to paddy and rice, the staple food for Malaysians and it signifies national prosperity.
Motto
The RMP motto represents team spirit and determination.
Sang Saka Biru
The PDRM flag is called the Blue Perennial or Sang Saka Biru; each colour has its own distinctive meaning and the flag symbolises the force’s pride and integrity.
Police pledge
Section 20 (3) Police Act 1967 stipulates that the duties of the Royal Malaysia Police personnel are as follows:
- Apprehending all persons whom he is by law authorised to apprehend;
- Processing security intelligence;
- Conducting prosecutions;
- Giving assistance in the carrying out of any law relating to revenue, excise, sanitation, quarantine, immigration and registration;
- Giving assistance in the preservation of order in the ports, harbours and airports of Malaysia, and in enforcing maritime and port regulations;
- Executing summonses, subpoenas, warrants, commitments and other process lawfully issued by any competent authority;
- Exhibiting information;
- Protecting unclaimed and lost property and finding the owners thereof;
- Seizing stray animals and placing them in a public pound;
- Giving assistance in the protection of life and property;
- Protecting public property from loss or injury;
- Attending the criminal courts and, if specially ordered, the civil courts, and keeping order therein; and
- Escorting and guarding prisoners and other persons in the custody of the police.
Modern day
Inspectors-General of Police
Police rank
- Gazetted officers
Rank group | General/flag officers | Field/senior officers | Junior officers | Officer cadet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Commissioners | Superintendents | Inspectors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Royal Malaysia Police |
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No equivalent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Inspector-general of police (IGP) | Deputy inspector general of police (DIG) | Commissioner of police (CP) | Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) | Senior assistant commissioner of police (SAC) | Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) | Superintendent of police (SUPT) | Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) | Assistant superintendent of police (ASP) | Inspector (Insp) | Probationary inspector (P/Insp) |
- Non-gazetted officers
Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-commissioned officers | Constables | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Royal Malaysia Police |
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No equivalent | No equivalent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sub-inspector (SI) | Sergeant major (SM) | Sergeant (Sgt) | Corporal (Cpl) | Lance corporal (L/Cpl) | Constable (PC) |
Lower ranks of police officers apart from Sub-Inspectors wear their rank insignia on the right sleeve of their uniforms. Sub-Inspectors and higher ranks wear their rank insignia on epaulettes on both shoulders.
RMP organisational structure
Apart from the two departments involved in the administration: the Management Department and the Logistics & Technology Department, the RMP has six departments involved in crime prevention: Criminal Investigation Department, Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, Internal Security and Public Order Department, Special Branch, Commercial Crime Investigation Department and Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department. All departments are led by the directors with the rank of Commissioner of Police (Army Equivalent rank of Three Stars General or Lieutenant-General).
Police heads
Type | Appointment | Rank | Abbr | Officer | Effective | Tenure | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inspector-General of Police |
Inspector-General of Police of Malaysia |
Inspector-General of Police |
IGP | Dato’ Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani SSAP, PJN, DPTS, DIMP, KMN |
4 May 2021 |
104 days | ||
Deputy Inspector-General of Police |
Deputy Inspector-General of Police of Malaysia |
Deputy Inspector-General of Police |
DIG | Datuk Seri Mazlan bin Lazim SMW, SPSK, DPSK, DMSM, DIMP, JSM |
25 June 2021 |
52 days | ||
Commissioner of Police | Police Commissioner of Sabah |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Hazani bin Ghazali DIMP, KMN |
14 August 2020 |
1 year and 2 days | ||
Police Commissioner of Sarawak |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Aidi bin Ismail DSPN, DIMP, JSM |
2 March 2020 |
1 year and 167 days | |||
Chief of Police | Johor Police Chief |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Ayob Khan bin Mydin Pitchay DIMP, JSM |
6 March 2020 |
1 year and 163 days | ||
Kedah Police Chief |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Kamarul Zaman bin Mamat DSAP, DPJK, KMN, AMN |
8 June 2021 |
69 days | |||
Kelantan Police Chief |
Deputy Commissioner of Police | DCP | Dato’ Shafien bin Mamat DPJK, DBNS, DIMP, JSM |
1 September 2020 |
349 days | |||
Malacca Police Chief |
Deputy Commissioner of Police | DCP | Datuk’ Abdul Majid bin Mohd Ali DIMP |
20 November 2019 |
269 days | |||
Negeri Sembilan Police Chief |
Deputy Commissioner of Police | DCP | Dato’ Mohamad bin Mat Yusop DIMP |
22 July 2019 |
2 years and 25 days | |||
Pahang Police Chief |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Sri Ramli bin Yoosuf SSAP |
17 June 2021 |
60 days | |||
Penang Police Chief |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Mohd Shuhaily Bin Mohd Zain DSAP |
3 July 2021 |
44 days | |||
Perak Police Chief |
Deputy Commissioner of Police | DCP | Dato’ Pahlawan Mior Faridalathrash bin Wahid DPTS |
21 December 2020 |
238 days | |||
Perlis Police Chief |
Senior Assistant Commissioner | SAC | Dato’ Surina binti Saad DIMP |
10 September 2019 |
1 year and 340 days | |||
Selangor Police Chief |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Datuk’ Arjunaidi bin Mohamad DPMS,DIMP |
12 April 2021 |
126 days | |||
Terengganu Police Chief |
Deputy Commissioner of Police | DCP | Dato’ Rohaimi Bin Md Isa DPJK, DSPN, DPSK |
1 July 2021 |
46 days | |||
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Azmi bin Abu Kassim DIMP |
12 April 2021 |
126 days |
Staff departments
Department | Rank | Abbr | Director | Effective | Tenure | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Kamarudin Md BIn Din DIMP |
15 June 2021 |
62 days | ||
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (CPCSD) |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Ramli bin Din DMSM, JMN, JSM, KMN |
16 June 2021 |
61 days | ||
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Sri Abdul Jalil bin Hassan SSAP |
21 June 2021 |
55 days | ||
Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (ISCD) |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Azri Bin Ahmad DIMP |
16 June 2021 |
61 days | ||
Internal Security and Public Order Department (ISPOD) |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Zainal Abidin bin Kasim DIMP |
16 June 2021 |
61 days | ||
Logistic & Technology Department (Log) |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Seri Sahabudin bin Abdul Manan DSAP, DIMP |
5 July 2021 |
42 days | ||
Management Department (MD) |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Zaini bin Jass DIMP |
15 June 2021 |
62 days | ||
Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Razarudin bin Husain DIMP |
21 September 2020 |
329 days | ||
Special Branch (SB) |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Zamri bin Yahya DPMK, DPSK, DIMP, JSM |
16 June 2021 |
61 days | ||
Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department (TEID) |
Commissioner of Police | CP | Dato’ Azisman bin Alias DIMP, JSM |
15 October 2018 |
2 years and 305 days |
Management Department
The Management Department is tasked with the routine of management and administration affairs of the RMP. This department is also the “nerve centre” of the RMP and acts as the support services platform for the rest of the force.
- Functions
- Service / Designation – Includes: Recruitment, Service Records Administration, Confirmations, Promotions, Transfers, Salaries & Allowances Administration and Retirements.
- General Administration And Policy – Includes: General Administration, Research & Development, Civil Affairs, Welfare, Sports And PERKEP (Persatuan Keluarga Polis or Police’s Family Association, generally social activities for the families of the policemen)
- Training – Includes: Basic Course, Development Courses, Further Studies and Rehabilitation Courses.
- Branches
- Administration
- Welfare
- Training
- Research & Development
- Services / Designation
- Public Affairs
- Public Relations
- Intake
- Ceremonies
- Camp Commandant
- RMP Sports Council
Logistics and Technology Department
The Logistics and Technology Department provides equipment needed in the RMP.
- Functions
- Operate operating budget and RMP’s development
- Plan, manage, operate and maintain communications, information technology, transport and weaponry
- Manage projects and maintain buildings and properties
- Manage turnover and supply of general equipment
- Manage RMP’s assets
- Branches
- Naziran’s Branch / Administration
- Communications Branch
- Information Technology Branch
- Transport Branch
- Finance Branch
- Technical Turnover
- Weaponry Branch
- General Turnover
- Part of the Building
- Disposal / Stock / Verification / Write-off
Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
This department deals with the investigation, arrest and prosecution of both violent crimes such as murder, robbery, rape etc., and less serious crimes such as theft and house-breaking. This department also specialises in investigating gambling, vice and secret societies (triads).
- Functions
- Investigations and detective duties
- Arrests and prosecutions
- Enforcement of laws related to gambling, vice and secret societies
- Branches
- D1 – Administrative Division
- D2 – Criminal Record Registration Division
- D3 – Anti-Human Trafficking / Migrants Smuggling Prevention Division
- D4 – Operation / Intelligence / Records Divisions
- D5 – Prosecution and Law Divisions
- D6 – Technical Assistance Division
- D7 – Gambling / Vice / Secret Societies Prevention Division
- D8 – Investigation / Planning Division
- D9 – Special Investigation Division
- D10 – Forensic Laboratory Division
- D11 – Sexual / Domestic Violence / Child Abuse Investigation Division
- D12 – National Centre Bureau-Interpol Division
- D13 – Databank DNA Division
- D14 – Organized Crime Investigation Division
The Criminal Investigation Department is headed by a Commissioner of Police (CP). The Unit Tindakan Cepat is attached to CID and based at all police contingent headquarters.
Narcotics Crime Investigation Department
This department’s function is to fight against dangerous drugs by enforcing the law to stop and reduce the demand and supply of dangerous drugs.
- Functions
- Enforce against drug abuse and drug trafficking
- Collect, study, assess and spread drug-related information
- Investigate distributors activities and drug trafficking syndicates
- Fight drug smuggling activities including chemicals used to process drugs
- Implement prevention of drug abuse programs
- Exchange data/information with domestic and international agencies
- Keep records and statistics related to drug distribution and other drug-related matters
- Surveillance activity for former drug offenders or members formerly associated with drug trafficking syndicates
- Provide training locally/overseas for officers / members of narcotics department
- Attend the meetings, seminars related to drugs, locally/overseas
- Branches
- Special Investigation Divisions
- Coordinator Part / International-relations
- Administrative Divisions
- Detention Divisions
- Estate Stripping
- Interrogate
- Expert / Technical Assistance
- Record / Statistics
- Registration
- Logistics Divisions
- Airport Customs Staff
Narcotics Crime Investigation Division led by Police Commissioner (CP).
Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDN / KA)
This department is tasked with the maintenance of public security and order. It is responsible for traffic control and search & rescue (SAR) operations. In this role, this department cooperates with other agencies, such as the Malaysian Armed Forces and Army / Navy Maritime Patrol to prevent piracy and to secure the national borders.
The Internal Security and Public Order Department is led by a Commissioner of Police, CP Dato’ Salleh.
The main branches under this department are:
General Operations Force
The Police Field Force (PFF), organised in battalions, was once the para-military units of the Royal Malaysia Police. The force, which was also known as the Jungle Squad (Pasukan Polis Hutan (PPH) in Malay) was tasked to operate in the jungle fringes in counter-insurgency roles during the Malayan Emergency, Indonesia–Malaysia confrontations and later Communist guerrilla insurgencies along the Malaysian-Thai border and in the jungles of Sabah and Sarawak. When the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) and Clandestine Communist Organisation (CCO) finally gave up their armed struggle in 1989 and 1990, PFF was reorganised as the General Operations Force (GOF) in 1997. The GOF has 19 battalions and the 19th Special Battalion is tasked to provide VIP security.
When established in 1948, the PFF had 19 battalions of which two were made up of indigenous people. These battalions were known as Senoi Praaq Battalions. One battalion was a Special Security Battalion.
The 19 battalions are organised into five brigades, each headed by a Superintendent of Police. The North Brigade and Sabah Brigade have four battalions each, the Central Brigade has five battalions, and South-East Brigade and Sarawak Brigade have three battalions each.
It all began in the year 1948, when several communist activists killed three European farmers in Perak, in response to the massacre of unarmed labour activists by the British colonial occupation. Sir Edward Gent declared an emergency on 7 July 1948 in all Malaya Federations, starting with Perak on 16 June 1948 and Johor on 19 June 1948. To deal with the rebellion and to quash the Communist guerrillas in the jungle, a military based team was formed in 1948. It was named the Flying Squad and later renamed the Jungle Squad, with its main mission to fight against the Communists. The first Jungle Squad unit was established at Sik, Kedah in 1949. Training centres were opened in Sungai Buluh, Selangor and in Dusun Tua, Hulu Langat, Selangor which was known as Field Force Special Training Centre (SLPPH). In 1964, SLPPH was transferred to Kroh, Perak then changed to Kentonmen, Ulu Kinta, Perak. After being renamed the General Operations Force or Pasukan Gerakan Am in 1997, SLPPH is now known as Sekolah Latihan Pasukan Gerakan Am (General Operations Force Training Centre, SLPGA).
So far, there are two Senoi Praaq battalions specialising in search and rescue operations. After VAT 69 was absorbed into Pasukan Gerakan Khas, along with anti-terrorist police force and Special Action Unit (UTK – Unit Tindakan Khas), a special platoon of PGA, Tiger Platoon was established.
Police Counter–Terrorism Units
When the threat of terrorism started to increase after the 11 September terrorist attack in United States, followed up by a series of bombings in Bali and Jakarta, Indonesia and in Malaysia, the RMP has formed 2 anti-terrorism corps. These two elite forces are known as Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK) and Unit Gempur Marin (UNGERIN).