Special Actions Unit (Malaysia)

The Special Actions Unit (Malay: Unit Tindakhas, Jawi: اونيت تيندق خاص), commonly known as UTK which it is its local name abbreviation, is an elite and Tactical Unit of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP).[2] The unit is based at the RMP Bukit Aman headquarters, Kuala Lumpur and, together with the 69 Commando (Malay: Komando 69), they are part of Pasukan Gerakan Khas ('Special Operations Command – Police SOCOM').

Special Actions Unit
Unit TindaKhas  (Malay) اونيت تيندق خاص
Official Special Actions Unit insignia
Active	1 January 1975
Country	Malaysia
Agency	Royal Malaysia Police
Type	Police tactical unit
Role	Close protection Counter-terrorism Hostage rescue Law enforcement Special operations
Operations jurisdiction	National International
Part of	Special Operations Command
Headquarters	Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 3.148725°N 101.691584°E
Motto	"Tangkas Banteras Ganas" "Agility to Eridicate Terror"
Common name	"Malaysia SWAT (1975)" "The UNIT"
Abbreviation	UTK
Structure
Operators	Approx. 410 (as November 2017)[1]
Commanders
Current commander	SAC Mohd Khairi Bin Khairudin
Notable commanders	SAC Dato' Meor Chek Hussien Mahayuddin
Notables
Significant operation(s)	Lahad Datu standoff (2013) Muar kindergarten hostage crisis (2011) Arrest of Mas Selamat Kastari (2009) UNMIT (2006) Operation Astute (2006) Pudu Prison siege (1986) AIA building hostage crisis (1975)
Anniversaries	1 January

The UTK performs as a high-level national tactical unit, providing 24-hour close protection to high ranking government executives and their spouse, and the unit's members also undertake undercover missions. UTK operators are specially trained to intervene in high-risk events like hostage and barricade situations by hostile forces, especially highly trained terrorists and/or criminals. UTK is the oldest and most experienced unit in dealing with worldwide terrorism organizations inside and outside Malaysia.[3]

The UTK is equivalent to a combination of the German Federal Police's tactical unit GSG 9 and the United States Secret Service.[4]

History

Four UTK operatives on standby. They are armed with MP5A5 equipped with Aimpoint CompM2 Sight and Insight Technology flashlight.

Founded on 1 January 1975, UTK is the brainchild of then Inspector-General of Police, Tun Hanif Omar.[5] They were also deployed in the first mission during the Japanese Red Army (Japanese: 日本赤軍; Rōmaji: Nihon Sekigun) hostage incident on 5 August 1975 when the terrorists held approximately 50 civilians including members of the US consulate and the Swedish chargé d'affaires as hostages within the AIA building housing several embassies in Kuala Lumpur, two years after the massacre of Israeli hostages in Munich, West Germany by the Palestinian Black September army group in 1973. The terrorists won the release of five imprisoned comrades and flew with them to Libya.

UTK were trained by the British Army's 22nd Special Air Service regiment (22 SAS) to operate in the urban warfare.[6] UTK were also involved with the Grup Gerak Khas (Malaysian Army's special forces unit) to manage security during the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Merger in Pasukan Gerakan Khas

On 20 October 1997, the Royal Malaysia Police reorganised and setting back the VAT 69 and UTK, and coordinate them into one special operations command known as the Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK; 'Special Operations Command – Police SOCOM') and launched by the Prime Minister, Mahathir Muhammad and then Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor.[7]

Although amalgamated into one directorate, they are essentially still two separate entities operating in two distinct operational environments.

National Special Operations Force

In 2016, main counter-terrorism operators in Malaysia are formed into one special operations task force.[8] Few operators from UTK are selected to be part of the National Special Operations Force.

Roles

UTK operators practice storming a ship during a PGK exercise.

Under Arahan No 18/1991 Majlis Keselamatan Negara, Perenggan 13 (transl. National Security Council Directive No.19/1991, Paragraph 13) and Perintah Tetap Ketua Polis Negara 132/1991, Perenggan 3 (HTKPN 132/1991, Para 3) (transl. Inspector General of Police Standing Orders No. 132/1991, Paragraph 3), five main roles tasked to the UTK, which are:[9]

1. Raiding Team for terror crisis that happened on land involving building and landed aircraft hijacking.
2. Fighting urban guerrillas, terrorist groups, groups of subversive and extremist organizations.
3. Assist the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in major criminal cases.
4. Conducting safety protection to local VIPs and foreign visitors if may be deemed necessary.
5. Other responsibilities as directed by the Inspector-General of Police and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

Under the same derivative and standing order, the official local name for the unit is 'Unit Tindakhas'.[9] UTK has a variety of roles in addition to helping other branch's duties in large and serious cases.[10]

The tactics and organisation of the UTK are primarily influenced by the German GSG-9, but with a difference; UTK operatives operate mostly in plain-clothes and also perform undercover missions. With approximately 300 members, the UTK is deployed in cases of hostage taking, kidnapping, terrorism and extortion. The group may also be used to secure locations, neutralise targets, track down fugitives and sometimes conduct sniper operations and escorting and protecting top leaders and VIPs.[11][12] UTK operators are trained with urban operations,[13] airborne operations, and underwater operations

In 2014, RMP establishes new elite units (STAFOC, STING and STAGG). UTK and VAT 69 is given another role which is to support these three new units in term of training and technical capabilities.[14]

Functions and area of responsibility

Functions UTK's roles are believed to include:

• Intelligence collection in deep reconnaissance missions and warfare.
• Special operations to support the RMP Special Branch in combating subversive organisations or terrorist activities.
• Counter Terrorism operations inside Malaysian territory in conjunction with armed forces.
• Law enforcement operations in dealing with armed criminals inside Malaysian territory.
• Protection of senior Malaysian dignitaries, ministers and VIPs.
• Support in term of technique and training to other RMP Elite units; Tiger Platoon, UNGERIN, and CID All Black Units[15]

Area of responsibility As a part of Police SOCOM, the area of responsibility in Malaysia was divided between the two SOCOM detachments. The areas of responsibility that being given to UTK are: Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Putrajaya, Selangor.

Identities

Former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Jamil Johari bestowing the maroon beret to a policeman who pass the Basic Special Action Course.

Maroon berets

UTK operators wear blueish shades (bordeaux colour) of maroon beret as it is wore by British Special Air Service in 1975 at that time. The maroon beret given by 22 SAS symbolised the UTK as a special forces unit.

On 14 November 2006, for the first time in the history of Royal Malaysian Police, the maroon and sand coloured berets of PGK were honoured as Royal Berets by Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putera Jamalullail, the then King of Malaysia.

Parachute Wings

It identifies the abilities of parachutist, airborne unit and air assault operations. The parachute wings are mostly worn by operators from Pasukan Gerakan Khas and can only be worn after they passes the Basic Tactical Parachuting Course (Malay: Kursus Asas Payung Terjun Tektikal).

UTK Insignia

UTK badge gets its influence from British Special Air Service badge and Malayan Scouts (now known as 22 SAS) badge as UTK were trained by the SAS.

Organisation

Previously separate entities, both the VAT 69 and the UTK were amalgamated into the PGK Command on 20 October 1997, when it was launched by the 5th Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor. However, the VAT 69 and the UTK are still operating as separate units. The UTK is now officially known as Pasukan Gerakan Khas Detachment A and VAT 69 has been deputised to Pasukan Gerakan Khas Detachment B.

Based at the Royal Malaysia Police Headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, the PGK is under the direct command of the RMP's Internal and Public Security (Malay: Keselamatan Dalam Negeri dan Ketenteraman Awam) Director. The unit commander holds the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) and is the Deputy Director of the Internal and Public Security Branch.

With the growing threat of terrorism since the 11 September attacks, this unit has increasingly adapted itself to conduct counter-terrorism duties.[16] With the aim of creating teams that are capable of dealing with a broad range of operations (especially counter-terrorism operations), the PGK small patrol team consist of six to ten operatives led by officers ranked from Police Inspector to Superintendent of Police with different expertise such as an assault units, snipers, communications experts, EOD experts and field medics. The PGK has also forged closer relations with the special forces of the Malaysian Armed Forces, including the elite 10th Parachute Brigade, 21st Grup Gerak Khas, PASKAL and PASKAU, so as to enable them to more effectively enforce security within Malaysia's borders.

Squadrons under UTK

Even though the unit is small, the UTK is composed of various teams with their own specialised duties and specialization. Publicly known teams under UTK are:

Name (English)	Name (Malay)	Roles/Functions	Est.	Notes
Special Close Protection Unit	Unit Kawalan Rapat Khas	Providing close protection to the VVIP, prime minister, deputy prime minister, ministers, ex-prime ministers and King of Malaysia		[17]
Assault Unit	Unit Penggempur	Counter Assault, Sniping, Airborne Team, Transport and Building raid	1975	[18][19]
Technical Support Unit	Unit Bantuan Teknik	This service group maintains the UTK armoury, other secret assets and equipment such as UTK JAWS, MRAP Typhoon, EOD, K9, Surveillance, Intelligence as well as involved in testing, repairing and purchasing weapons, ammunition, and explosives.	1975	[20]
Combat Diver Unit	Unit Selam Tempur	Diving and maritime operations, for example anti-piracy, amphibious assault, VBSS and underwater demolition.	1985	[21]

Recruitment, selection and training

Several UTK operatives moving during a close quarters combat drill at the killing house. The first operative is equipped with a tactical shield.

The UTK operators standby for Counter-Terrorism and Hostage Rescue drill. Five of them are on the top of assault ladder which equipped on the Ford Explorer Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV).

All members of the Malaysian police force with two years of service can enter UTK Selections. Depending on the department's policy, officers generally have to serve a minimum tenure within the department before being able to apply for a specialist section such as VAT 69 and UTK. This tenure requirement is based on the fact that PGK officers are still law enforcement officers and must have a thorough knowledge of department policies and procedures. To be eligible to join the Pasukan Gerakan Khas, one must be younger than thirty years old and have a good health record.

Physical Screening Test

Prospective trainees are expected to exceed the minimum requirements of the Physical Screening Test (PST), which requires that trainees must be able to:

1. Run 2.4 km below 9 minutes
2. Freestyle swimming for at least 8-10 laps
3. Do at least 9-13 pull-up reps
4. Do at least 30 sit-up reps
5. Do at least 60 push-up reps
6. Do at least 30 squat thrusts

UTK pre-selection (2 Weeks)

Candidates need to pass 14-day UTK selection process in Kuala Lumpur before the real course in Ulu Kinta, Perak and Maktab Teknik PDRM (MTPDRM; 'RMP Technical College'), Bakri, Muar, Johor.

Basic Special Actions Course (13 Weeks)

Known as Kursus Asas UTK in Malay language, the basic course lasts for three months training period, which includes thirteen weeks of basic training and nine weeks of advanced training. This course is open to women. The attrition rate for this course is 80% and up to 95%.[22]

Among the training in the Basic Special Actions Course is:

1. Fitness Training (Camp Phase)
2. Physical and Mental Training (Jungle Phase)
3. Basic Rope Training
4. Basic First Aid Training
5. Unarmed Combat Training (Malay: Latihan Tempur Tanpa Senjata)
6. Marksmanship
7. Basic CQB (Malay: Latihan Asas Tempur Jarak Dekat)
8. Basic Hostage Rescue (Urban, Aircraft and Train)

In 2016, from 320 applicants, only 18 police personnels passed the selection. One of them is a woman senior officer.[22]

Advanced Training (9 Weeks)

To accomplish its varied mission profiles, the UTK ensures that its members are well trained in the required aspects of special operations. These include:

Insertion Techniques

• HALO/HAHO
• Fast roping techniques
• Helo casting
• Abseiling
• Combat diving

Combat Techniques

UTK operators riding the Honda ST1300 escorted the VIP vehicles out to the exit gate of Parliament Square after the 52nd Independence Day Parade on 31 August 2009.

• Close Quarters Combat – CQC
• Counter-insurgency
• Unconventional warfare
• Sabotage
• Close VIP protection
• Vehicular assault
• Unarmed combat
• Knife combat
• Marksmanship
• Booby-trap defusal
• Underwater demolitions

Intelligence Gathering

• Intelligence
• Counterintelligence
• Special reconnaissance
• Long-range Combat Patrol

Task Oriented

An UTK operator rappels on a building.

• Aircraft Hijackings
• Car stops
• Combat, Search and Rescue (CSAR)
• Coordinate multi-location warrant service
• Dignitary protection
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
• Foreign language
• Fugitive tracking (in rural environments)
• Hazmat Disposal[23]
• High risk arrests (armed and dangerous subjects)
• Hostage rescue (HR)
• K9 Handling[23]
• Operations in WMD environments
• Site surveys for high visibility events
• Specialized sniper operations
• Stronghold assaults (structures requiring specialised breaching equipment that local law enforcement might not have access to)
• Tubular assaults (aircraft, trains, buses, etc.)

The UTK is known to conduct joint training exercises and participate in exchange programs with Commonwealth special ops units such as the Australian SAS, British SAS, New Zealand SAS and Singapore Special Tactics and Rescue. Occasionally, the UTK trains with FBI Hostage Rescue Team, French GIGN and RAID, German GSG 9,[24] Italian NOCS, Spanish G.E.O, U.S. Delta Force, U.S. Army Green Berets, Russian Special Rapid Response Unit[24] and other international units.

On 10 December 2003, the then Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Haji Omar, launched the training program between the USSOCPAC and the 69th PGK at the General Operations Force Training Center in Ulu Kinta, Perak. The teams of SOCPAC were to conduct joint exercise with the PGK, under the code-name Advance Vector Balance Mint for a duration of 2 weeks.[25] Only 42 out of the 194 participants completed the inaugural program.

UTK equipment

UTK operators with new Battle Dress Uniforms on standby at the Centre Brigade of General Operations Force Base, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. They are arms with an American-made FERFRANS SCW compact carbines and the Remington M870 Police Magnum.

UTK's teams use equipment designed for a variety of specialist situations. The particular pieces of equipment vary from unit to unit, but there are some consistent trends in what they wear and use. Much of their equipment is indistinguishable from that supplied to the military, not least because much of it is military surplus.

Weapons

As a special operations unit, the UTK is equipped with a wide variety of high-class weapons and support equipment commonly associated with counter-terrorism operations, the most common weapons include sub-machine guns, assault rifles, shotguns, machine guns and sniper rifles.[23]

Name	Type	Origin	Notes
Colt Python	Magnum revolver
Glock 17/18/26/34[23]	Semi-automatic pistol
Heckler & Koch Mk23 Mod 0[23]	Semi-automatic pistol
Heckler & Koch USP[23]	Semi-automatic pistol
SIG Sauer P2022	Semi-automatic pistol
Franchi SPAS-12	Shotgun
Remington 870 PM[23]	Shotgun		Police Magnum-types
Remington 1100[23]	Shotgun
CZ Scorpion Evo 3	Submachine gun		Fitted with the various different optics.
Heckler & Koch MP5A5 / MP5K-A3 / MP5SD3[23]	Submachine gun		Fitted with Insight Technologies underbarrel flashlights (for MP5A5) and Aimpoint CompM2 red-dot optics.
Heckler & Koch MP7 A1[26]	Personal defense weapon		Fitted with an Aimpoint CompM2 red-dot optics.
FN SCAR-H	Battle rifle		Fitted with Aimpoint CompM2 red-dot optics.
Heckler & Koch HK416 A3	Assault rifle		D10RS and D14.5RS, fitted with an Aimpoint CompM2 red-dot optics.
Ferfrans SCW	Assault rifle		Fitted with an Aimpoint Micro-T red-dot optics.
Accuracy International PM	Sniper rifle
Accuracy International AWSM	Sniper rifle
Accuracy International AX338	Sniper rifle
Barrett M107A1	Anti-material sniper rifle
Heckler & Koch PSG1[23]	Designated marksman rifle
Remington 700P	Sniper rifle
Heckler & Koch HK11	Light machine gun
Taser X26	Electroshock weapon

Combat Gear

Officers from the Special Actions Unit, Royal Malaysia Police, on the Rapid Intervention Vehicle at the Sultan Abdul Samad Street for the 2015 National Day Parade in Kuala Lumpur. They dons the new Marine Ops Core tactical helmets and new Ferfrans SCW carbines.

• UF PRO
  • Frost-grey coloured Fire-resistant Combat-clothing

• Garmin Instinct Tactical Black
  • Garmin UTK tactical-watch, with GPS functional.

• / Ops-Core FAST helmet
  • SF Ops-Core

Tactical Vehicles

As a special forces unit, the UTK employs a number of specialised vehicles to accomplish its missions. These include the MRAP Streit Typhoon and the GKN Sankey AT105 armoured personnel carriers equipped with M60s as assault vehicles in urban terrain as well as modified police MPV (Mobile Patrol Vehicles), vans, trucks, 4WD and buses for use as tactical vehicles. PGK also employs RHIB assault boats, jet-skis and Marine Subskimmer (DPV) in maritime missions and amphibious insertions.

For its airborne operations, UTK utilises the Cessna 206G, Cessna 208 Caravan 1 and Pilatus Porter PC-6 aircraft as well as the E-Squirrel AS-355 F2/AS-355N helicopter.

Developments and Acquisitions

UTK Operators will be sent to the overseas training centre to sharpen their skills.[27]

In 2017, then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Najib Razak has announced to relocate UTK Headquarters from Bukit Aman to Semenyih, Selangor.[28] The new base will cost 100 million Ringgit.

Killed in the line of duty

Rank	Name	Year of death	Circumstances
Cpl 148953	Mohd Razkan Seran	2015	Killed in helicopter crash into a jungle along Jalan Sungai Lalang in Kampung Pasir Baru, Semenyih, Kajang, during escorting Rompin Member of Parliament, Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis from Pahang to Subang.

Missions

The arrest of Mas Selamat Kastari

Two operatives of UTK including one female operator armed with MP5-N sub-machine guns during the CQC drill.

In February 2008, a major leader of the Singaporean Jemaah Islamiah (JI), Mas Selamat escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Center, a detention centre of the most stringent in Southeast Asia. A few months later, he was found hiding in a village house in Kampung Tawakal, Skudai, 40 km from the city of Johor Bahru.

With surveillance and planning with tactical raids were so neat, on 1 April 2009 06:00 AM, a team of anti-terrorist unit, UTK were sent to help members of the Special Branch apprehend the leader of the militants in the home village. UTK outflank every corner of the house when Mas Selamat was sleeping.

According to witnesses the incident, Mohd Saat Marjo, 57, who was a neighbour next door, is telling that a masked team armed with automatic weapons, along with members of the Special Branch in plain clothes, stormed the house through two gates which are broken as soon as Mas Selamat refused to come out to surrender even called by the police. The raid and siege of UTK and Special Branch is perfectly done, which led Mas Selamat failed to escape until he was caught. He was handcuffed and his face is covered with dark blue cloth before being taken out.[29] Regular members of JI, Abdul Matin Anol Rahmat and Johar Hassan also was arrested there.[30] Police also seized a number of JI's documents and confidential planning information and send Bomb Disposal Unit to ensure that the house is free of any explosives. However, the involvement of UTK in the operation is not made public because of the high level of secrecy. The arrest was more directed to the Special Branch unit.

Publicly known missions

• 5 August 1975: UTK deployed in the first mission during the AIA building hostage crisis when the Japanese Red Army terrorists held approximately 50 civilians including members of the US consulate and the Swedish chargé d'affaires as hostages within the AIA building housing several embassies in Kuala Lumpur.
• October 1985: Special Actions Unit (UTK) was involved in hostage rescue operations including one doctor and one medical assistant by six armed convicts led by Jimmy Chua in Pudu Jail, Kuala Lumpur. Six days later, hostages were successfully rescued, while Jimmy was captured and was sentenced to death.

• 29 June 1993: UTK stormed a hiding place of P. Kalimuthu or Bentong Kali at Medan Damasara, Selangor. In the shoot-out with the police, the Most-Wanted Criminal was successfully killed.
• 1998: The Pasukan Gerakan Khas and the Grup Gerak Khas were deployed to provide security and were on standby for hostage rescue, close protection and counter-terrorism duties during the 1998 Commonwealth Games held at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur on 11 to 21 September 1998.[31]
• 18 January 2000: Involved in an operation to arrest the Geng Steyr, the armed criminal group which was led by ex-special forces personnel named Mohd Hizan Jaafar, along with 5 men after they robbed a bank in Sri Serdang Road, Selangor. During the operation, two criminals including Mohd Hizan and Abu Hasan were killed at Majidee Malay Village and two more were killed in a shoot-out with the police at Tol Plaza Kempas, Johor Bahru and recovered 4 Steyr AUG rifles, Smith & Wesson .22 handgun, one Remington shotgun, 85 rounds of 5.56 mm bullets, 3 rounds .22 bullets, a few bullet shells and found RM291,000. The police also launched an operation to hunt two other members of the gang.[32]
• 2001: Arrested two Jemaah Islamiyah suspect terrorists which in the list of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Yazid Sufaat and Suhaimi Mokhtar and detained at the Kamunting Detention Center under the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 related to involvement with the activities of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and al-Qaeda other 11 September attacks and Bali bombings.[33][34]
• 2002: Arrested six Jemaah Islamiyah suspect terrorists, Dr Abdullah Daud, Shamsuddin Sulaiman, Mat Shah Mohd Satray, Abdul Murad Sudin, Zaini Zakaria and Zainun Rashid.[33]
• 27 September 2002: Hunted downed Geng M16, the then Most-Wanted-Criminals of Malaysia for armed robbery at the Bank of Tokyo in 1985, 16 other armed robberies in jewellery shops and pawn shops, carting away loot which amounted to RM 21.28 million. It was reported that all the members of this group were Chinese and the mastermind of this group was one Elvis Keh Jiang Long a.k.a. Ah Po, the ex-Singaporean National Service personnel (Singaporean Army), was an expert in various firearms and he was responsible for training the group for the robberies. During the gunfighting with the UTK in Batu 5, Jalan Seremban-Mantin, near the Galla Recreational Park, Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, two of the Geng M16 members, identified as Sunny Chai @ Sum Wing Chang and his righthand man, known as Hew Yau, were shot dead. Another gang member, Chang Kew Yin, managed to escape. One UTK officer was wounded. Security forces recovered an M16 rifle with two rounds of ammunition, a Colt semi-automatic handgun with 16 rounds of ammunition, a Smith & Wesson revolver and three ski-masks from the suspects' vehicles. At 28, 2 December am, Chang was gunned down in the ensuing shootout at Jalan Keris, Taman Sri Tebrau, Johor Bahru and security forces recovered a China-made Norinco pistol with three rounds of ammunition from Chang's body. Federal CID Director, Datuk Salleh Mat Som (late), said the police was always hunting for the Geng M16 members who were still at large, including sending their officers to Singapore and Thailand to track Keh down and also requested the assistance of the Australian police to locate another gang member, Hew Soon Loong @ Hong Kong Chai, who was believed to have fled to the country.[35][36]
• 2003: Arrested six Jemaah Islamiyah suspect terrorists, Mohd Khaider Kadran (JI leader), Wan Amin Wan Hamat, Sulaiman Suramin, Sufian Salih, Ahmad Muaz Al Bakry and Hasim Talib.[33]
• 16 October 2003/17 October 2003: Involved in VIP protection of the Islamic leaders during the 10th Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Putrajaya.
• 2004: Arrested three Indonesian National Jemaah Islamiyah suspect terrorists, Zakaria Samad, Ahmad Zakaria and Terhamid Dahalan.
• 2004: Arrested three Indonesian National Jemaah Islamiyah suspect terrorists, Mahfudi Saifuddin, Mulyadi and Arifin related to involved with the activities of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) other Bali bombings in 2004.
• 2005: Undertook VIP escort missions to protect ex-Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad when he visited Johor.
• 2006: Deployed as part of the United Nations (U.N.) INTERFET to support the Operation Astute. It consisted of Malaysian U.N. 10th Parachute Brigade, Grup Gerak Khas, Australian and New Zealand U.N Armed Forces in Timor Leste.[37]
• 2007: Arrested four alleged Jemaah Islamiyah involvements, Zulkifli Marzuki, Mohd Nasir Ismail, Ahmad Kamil Hanafiah and Muhd Amir Hanafiah.[33]
• 16 July 2008: Arrested the PKR de facto leader, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim in front of his house at Bukit Segambut in the twillight hours, similar to what happened in 1998, for investigations under Section 377C of the Penal Code for alleged "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" with his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan. However, CID director Commissioner Dato' Mohd Bakri Zinin said that the arrest was not carried out by the UTK, but by the Bukit Aman's Serious Crimes Division (possibly by the Unit Tindakan Cepat, UTC).[38]

An UTK officer using a battering ram to performing a door breaching during the CQC drill.

• 2009: In February 2008, a Singaporean Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) leader, Mas Selamat Kastari escaped from Whitley Detention Center, the tightest detention centre in Singapore. A few months later, he was found to be hiding at a village house in Kampung Tawakal, Skudai, 40 km from Johor Bahru. Following intelligence sharing with the police forces of Indonesia and Singapore and tidying of tactical planning, in the dawn of 1 April 2009 at 06:00 am, a team from UTK counter-terrorist unit was deployed to assist police Special Branch agents recapture the militant leader in the village house.
• 2010: Intercepted the Sultan of Kelantan's motorcade (escorts) 30m outside of the Kelantan Royal Palace as they were heading for the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport to depart for Singapore pending further treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. The team then brought the Sultan, himself not willingly, to the nearby hospital (HUSM) somewhere 200m from the Palace.[39]
• 8 July 2011: Deployed in a hostage rescue mission in which a preschool located at Sungai Abong Park, Sakeh Street near Muar in southern Johore state was taken by a 40-year-old man. The man named Loi Hui Chung, who was suspected to be a drug addict and mentally-deranged, was armed with a hammer and a machete and he threatened to kill the hostages if his demand was not met. The siege ended at exactly 1541 GMT after UTK members stormed the building with tear gas and shot the suspect. He was in a critical condition with a head wound and died later at the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital at 2115 GMT.[40][41][42]

• 7 February 2013: Arrested a former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Yazid Sufaat and two of his friends, including a woman, in the Klang Valley, Selangor in separate operations. The unit nabbed Yazid and Mohd Hilmi Hasim at a canteen in the Jalan Duta court complex whilst the woman, Halimah Hussin, was picked up from her house in Kajang. They became the first few to be arrested under the new Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) which replaced the ISA. They were alleged to have been promoting terrorism, and had allegedly been linked to terrorist activities in Syria.[43][44][45]
• 2013: Deployed in Lahad Datu, Sabah during the Lahad Datu conflict. The 69 Commando members were involved in hunting down a terrorist group, numbering approximately 200 in strength, from the self-styled "Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo," while UTK members were deployed in urban and populated areas to defend them. The commandos were the main assault team during the early stage of the conflict. Two officers were gunned down and three more wounded in an unexpected "white flag" ambush by the Sulu terrorists, while 12 of the terrorists were shot to death in retaliation and three other terrorists were fatally wounded.[46]

Controversy

In October 2006, an officer and two members of the UTK was arrested on suspicion of conspiring with Abdul Razak Baginda in the murder of a woman from Mongolia. She was killed before her body then blown up with PETN and RDX explosives in October 2006 in Shah Alam, Selangor.[47]

In popular culture

'Unit Tindakhas' of the Royal Malaysian Police is usually misspelled by the media as 'Unit Tindak Khas' and 'Unit Tindakan Khas' which all have the same meaning.

Books, Televisions and Movies.

• 1991: "Bayangan Maut", a movie starring Dato' Yusof Haslam and Noorkumalasari. The movie shows UTK operatives in plainclothes armed with Colt M16 rifle.
• 1996: "Maria Mariana", a movie directed by Dato' Yusof Haslam. There is a hostage rescue scene involving UTK operatives.
• 1999–present: "Gerak Khas", a TV series by RTM and produced by Dato' Yusof Haslam, about a fictional UTK squad code name 'Gerak Khas' solving high-risk crimes throughout major cities in Malaysia. The Gerak Khas is the longest running TV series in Malaysia.
• 1999: "Entrapment", a movie starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones. UTK operators act as SWAT Team during the chasing scene at Petronas Twin Tower.
• 2001: "Gerak Khas The Movie", an action movie by Dato' Yusof Haslam, about Gerak Khas TV series. The movie about Gerak Khas Squad stops pirate VCD and drugs selling activity in Kuala Lumpur.
• 2002: "Gerak Khas The Movie 2", a movies sequel to Gerak Khas The Movie. The movie shows UTK and VAT 69 operators conducting joint anti-drugs operations in Penang.
• 2004: "GK3", the third sequel for Gerak Khas The Movie. The movie shows UTK operators in plainclothes conducting undercover mission in Langkawi.
• 2011: "Wira Padang Pasir", a TV drama by Astro, about an ex-VAT 69 turn UTK operator now working as a Malaysian Embassy bodyguard in Cairo, Egypt.
• 2017: "J Revolusi", an action movies by Grand Brilliance and Infinitus Productions about conflict between a UTK officer, his sister; a Special Branch agents and theirs adoptive father; a UTK Commander.
• 2017: "Majalah 3 :Perisai Keamanan Bandar", a documentary by TV3 about UTK operations and training.
• 2018: "Polis Evo 2", an action movie directed by Joel Soh and Andre Chiew, starring Zizan Razak and Shaheizy Sam. In the movie, a tactical team is sent to rescue the hostages in Pulau Cherong. Only four survives the ambush and joins three other officers in rescuing the hostages. Despite the team being named UKAP (Unit Khas Anti Pengganas; 'Anti-terrorism Special Unit'), it is more likely to be modeled after UTK, whereas their operations and tactics are very similar.

See also

• Elite Forces of Malaysia

References

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Further reading

• Navaratnam, A. (2001). The Spear and the Kerambit: The Exploits of VAT 69, Malaysia's Elite Fighting Force, 1968–1989. Kuala Lumpur: Utusan Publications and Distributions. ISBN 967-61-1196-1.

External links

• Berita Harian Online: VAT 69 digeruni komunis (In Malay language).