General Operations Forces

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=General Operations Force


caption=The RMP General Operations Force Emblem.
dates=1948 - Jungle Squad
1963 - Police Field Force
1997 - General Operations Force
country=Malaysia
branch=Royal Malaysian Police( _ms. Polis Di-Raja Malaysia)
command_structure=Internal and Public Security (Malay: "Keselamatan Dalam Negeri / Ketenteraman Awam" - KDN/KA)
type=Paramilitary
role=Law Enforcement
size=Classified
current_commander=
garrison= Bukit Aman Police HQ, Kuala Lumpur, and
PGA Training Centre Ulu Kinta, Perak
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
colonel_of_the_regiment_label=Colonel-Commandant
nickname=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=Malayan Emergency 1948-1960
Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
Communist Insurgency 1968-1989
May 13 incidents
Reformation Raid
Ops Fire Palm 2
notable_commanders=
anniversaries= March 25 (Police Day),
August 31 (Independence Day)

The General Operations Force ( _ms. Pasukan Gerakan Am) is the paramilitary arm of the Royal Malaysian Police. The General Operations Force was established in 1948 during the Malayan Emergency by the Administration when Malaya was a Colony. The Police service was mobilised to the field role, nominally to deal and engage against guerrillas during the emerging Communist 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" ( _ms. Pasukan Polis Hutan, PPH).

History

Initially when raised, the new police arm was called the "Flying Squad". However, the moniker changed to the "Jungle Squad" owing to its major role in anti guerrilla warfare. Subsequently the unit's strength was raised to 4 battalions, in effect operating under another new mark given as the "Jungle Company". 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 constables led by a Lance Corporal and 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.

Training

The first Training Centre was opened 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 Sekolah Latihan Pasukan Polis Hutan, SLPPH. In 1964, the SLPPH was transferred to Kroh, Perak following the closure of the first two centres. The School itself was moved again to Kentonmen, Ulu Kinta, Perak. The current title is the Pasukan Gerakan Am (General Operations Forces), or the Sekolah Latihan Pasukan Gerakan Am, SLPGA "( _en. General Operations Forces Training Centre)."

Weaponry

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

GOF Functions

The General Operations Force GOF 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 5 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 4 battalions. There are a total of 11 Battalions split into three Brigades in peninsular Malaysia, and 3 Battalions based in Sarawak. Every Brigade in the General Operations Force possesses one lightly armoured squadron.

GOF Battalions

GOF has a strength of 19 battalions located in both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia with each commanded by a Superintendent. Each battalion consists of about 3 infantry companies and 1 mortar platoon.

enoi 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 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 5 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.

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.
* 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.

Enternal Links

* [http://kbmyaf.co.nr/PDRM.htm Pasukan Gerakan Am website]