History of The Royal Malaysian Police - Federated Malay States Police Forces

Federated Malay States Police Forces

In 1874, the British Resident system was established in the Malaya states, first pioneered by the Perak state. In 1892, four federated Malay states were merged into a federation.

The federation united all the Federated Malay States police forces. The police forces are concurrent with the formation Federated Malay States, effective on 1 July 1896. According to the Federated Malay States Constitution, the police force, Customs, Department Of Survey, Labour and Defence departments are placed under government jurisdiction headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. Federated Malay States Police Force is headed by the Police Commissioner. Perak, Pahang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan made up the Police Contingent and is headed by a State Chief Police (Chief Police Officers). Although Malay Federated States Police Commissioner is responsible for the upper administration and surveillance of the police force but it is still under the control and directive of Malay Associate States Chief Secretary. Section 3, Police Force Enactment (1924) mentioned that,

The first person to be promoted as Federated States Police Commissioner was Captain H.C. Syers, the Superintendent of Selangor State. Syers moved State Police Headquarters from Klang to Kuala Lumpur (Now Bukit Aman) and maintained Bluff Road Hill as Federated Malay States Police Administrations. He was later replaced by Christian Wagner.

Under Captain H.C. Syers, Federated Malay States Police underwent some changes. To raise union sense, the blue colour uniform was introduced. Every state uniform is differentiated by the shape of the button and badge. Syers made the initiative to reform police administration in Perak. Perak contingent at that time had as many as 842 members, 15 European officers, 472 officers, Sikh and Pathan officers, 14 orderlies and 302 low rank officers and Malay constables. In Selangor Contingent, there were 6 European police officers, 32 Pathans and 500 low-rank officer and Malay constables. With the establishment of Malay States Guides under Colonel R.S.F Walker in 1896, the strength of the police force was increased to six infantry companies and two artillery companies (900 members).

The Pahang Police Chief was Duff and the team had 245 members. F.W. Talbot also led the Negeri Sembilan Contingent. There were two inspectors, 56 Sikhs officers and 250 low ranks and Malay constables. Around the year 1902, police force had 2160 people, three Deputy Commissioners, two assistant commissioners, 25 inspectors, 2 Bumiputera officers, 1961 low rank officers and constables, 93 detectives and 14 orderlies. Meanwhile, the members of the Selangor and Pahang Police Contingent were armed with Martini-Enfield Converted Carbines. Other states also armed with Martini rifles and carbines.

Following the year in 1903, Federated Malay States Police was truly under the command of the police commissioner. These efforts were drawn up by H.L. Talbot who strived to redirect power of the state level to the central through the Police Force Enactment 1903.

One problem faced by the Federated Malay States Police was to get trained members. Before that, police members usually are recruited from the Indian army. To tackle the problem, a training centre or Depot was established at the compound Bluff Road in October 1903.

To change the view of police and to encourage the Malays to serve with the police force, the British used loyalist values to King that the Malays had. For that, Sultan Alang lskandar, prince of Sultan Idris from Perak graduated from Oxford, who worked in Taiping Secretariat was appointed as Assistant Commissioner on 1 August 1905 with the consent of Paduka Sultan Perak. Sultan Alang Iskandar was the first Malay to be given the highest rank by the British. He was then placed in Police Depot and given the responsibility to recruiting the Malay police officers. Sultan Alang Iskandar made a lot of effort to attract the Malays to serve in the police force. 37 years later, the training centre was moved to Rifle Range Road at St Pride, currently known as PULAPOL (Police Training Centre) at Semarak Road.

When Talbot died on 31 August 1909, Douglas remained as the police commissioner. Douglas was Perak's Police Chief since 1897.

In 1911, Federated Malay States Police had increased. Within a decade, the membership increased from 2,138 to 3,241 officers. Europeans official number also increased and 41 peoples become 72 peoples. The problem faced by the police at the time was gambling within the Chinese community which was also connected with candhu.

On 9 January 1924, Police Force Enactment was enforced. This enactment was more organized and clearly stated the roles and responsibilities of the Federated Malay States Police.

With eruption of World War II and Malaya conquered by the Japanese, the Federated Malay States Police was liquidated. The last Police Chief, E. Bagot, absconded to Singapore after British defence forces failed to detain Japanese army advancement. When Singapore fell to the Japanese, E Bagot was captured.