Malaysian Special Operations Force - Joint Anti-Terror Task Forces

Joint Anti-Terror Task Forces

Currently, when undercontrol of Arahan 18 Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN) or Directive No.18 National Security Council, there are several units distinguished as Special Operations Force, namely;

1. Grup Gerak Khas (Army)
2. PASKAL (Navy)
3. PASKAU (Air Force)
4. 69th Commando Battalion PGK (Police)
5. Special Actions Unit PGK (Police)
6. UNGERIN (Police)
7. Trup Tindakan Cepat (Prison Department)
8. Special Task And Rescue (Coast Guard)

Discussion had been ongoing that instead of having 7 separate units, there should be an initiative to combine all 8 into one organised unit as Malaysian Special Operation Forces or Joint Special Services Regiment.

A successful SAS model based on UK, New Zealand and Australia experience should be taken into a view. In matters relating to national security issue of these countries, the only recognised SAS Regiments will be the choice in order to neutralise the conflict.

Under so called concept of 'Joint Services Special Forces', the great 7 units can be combined together as one regiment headed by Major General/Vice Air Chief Marshal/Vice Admiral or even Deputy Commissioner of Police. This unit should be placed under matrix organisation as to report directly to MKN and to each respected Chief of Army, Navy, Airforce and Inspector General of Police.

Within the joint unit, all 7 units can be re-organised as per SAS model such as;

1. Mountain/Land Troop (including/combining all specialised skills/unit acquired by the former Army Grup Gerak Khas, Police VAT 69 Pasukan Gerakan Khas);
2. Amphibious/Maritime Troop (including/combining all PASKAL specialised trade in seaborne operations, swamp, diving plus etc. together with UNGERIN);
3. Air Troop (including/combining all PASKAU specialised trade in hostage rescue at the airport or aircraft, air installation protection and also taking over PARA troops facility and training of the HALO/HAHO from Grup Gerak Khas etc.).
4. Counter Revolutionary Warfare and Counter Terrorist Unit (including/combining skills from Grup Gerak Khas, Pasukan Gerakan Khas, PASKAL, UNGERIN, TTC and PASKAU to form a several units, with 24 hour standby notice by the MKN. The example of this is Blue Troop and Red Troop of the SAS UK that are on 24 hours standby notice.)

The unification of these several units into one special unit does have its benefits and its disadvantages. However, in matters of serving the country, all differences including/especially the self pride should be resolved amicably. Some are the benefits should these units are united into one force;

1. Joint selection process can be achieved to obtain the best candidate from all Services and also from Police (such as SAS NZ)to ensure the highest quality of future unit trooper.
2. The cost of doing business or maintaining the forces will be much lesser and the saved money can be further invested on new weaponry, new tactics, high tech facilities, staff welfare etc.
3. The expertise of each respected unit can be cross sectionalised and documented to ensure every trooper is highly specialised in his craft or even better multi-skilled. The future is to sell the 'Malaysian expertise' to other country as to how SAS UK did as part of the marketing of British defence product and experties.
4. Economies of scales in asset management and procurement in the long run as to have a highly dedicated special forces and also to keep the cost low or manageable.

As to ensure the present of each services is equally exhibited, the head of each new unit can be divided as below;

1. Commanding officer of the Mountain/Land Troop – Brigadier General (Army)
2. Commanding officer of the Amphibious/Maritime Troop – Commodore (Navy)
3. Commanding officer of Air Troop – Brigadier General (Airforce)
4. Commanding officer of CRW/AT Unit – Senior Assistant Commissioner (Police)

However the officer and the NCOs can be cross sectionalised with each other based on his best achievement of his specialised skills or where he can performed the best.