Pasukan Gerakan Khas (Abbreviation: PGK; 'Special Operations Command — Police SOCOM', Jawi: ڤاسوكن ڬرقن خاص) is a special operations command of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP).
The PGK has two distinct sub-units; the Special Actions Unit () and the 69 Commando Battalion (Very Able Trooper 69 — VAT 69; ). Operators of UTK and VAT 69 are specially trained to intervene in high-risk events like hostage and barricade situations by hostile forces, especially terrorists and/or criminals. It originally had over 4,000 full-time operators, but its actual size and organisation are classified. Both units commonly function as a high-level national tactical team in extremely sensitive or dangerous situations.
History
Formation of Police SOCOM On 20 October 1997, the RMP reorganised their special operations force, combining VAT 69 and UTK into one special operations command known as Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK; 'Special Operations Command — SOCOM'), launched by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor.A. Navaratnam, p. 192
Although amalgamated into one directorate, they are essentially still two separate entities operating in two distinct operational environments.
VAT 69
The 69 Commando Battalion, also known as Very Able Troopers 69 (VAT 69), Task Force, Charlie Force and Special Project Team, is modeled on and trained by the British Special Air Service and New Zealand Special Air Service.
It was founded in 1969 (hence the name – 69) as a small combat unit to counter the tactics and techniques of the communist forces of the Second Malayan Emergency.A. Navaratnam, pp.9-10
Initially established as an elite counter-insurgency force, the role of counter-terrorism was added to the VAT 69 in the 1990s after the Second Malayan Emergency officially ended.
UTK
Unit Tindakhas (), popularly known with its acronym UTK, is a special forces unit of RMP and the oldest and most experienced counter-terrorism unit in Malaysia.
It performs as a high-level national police tactical unit, providing 24 hours of close protection to high ranking government executives and their spouses, and the unit's members also undertake undercover missions.
Founded on 1 January 1975, UTK is the brainchild of then Inspector-General of Police Tun Hanif Omar. UTK were trained by the 22nd SAS for urban warfare on its early establishment.
However, this unit does not only perform close-quarter combat and close-protection only, but they also have the capability to perform underwater mission, airborne mission, and sometimes jungle operation since 1975 to encounter various types of terrorism.
National Special Operations Force
In 2016, the main counter-terrorism operators in Malaysia, including PGK, were combined into one special operations task force called the National Special Operations Force.
Functions PGK 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 the armed forces. Law enforcement operations in dealing with armed criminals inside Malaysian territory. Counter-terrorism operations outside Malaysian territory, including Operation Astute in Timor Leste. Search and rescue operations inside or outside Malaysian territory, such as aid operations in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia. Protection of senior Malaysian dignitaries, ministers and VIPs. Assist other RMP Special Forces Equivalent Units (e.g. UNGERIN and Tiger Platoon) in training and tactics.
Organisation Previously separate entities, both VAT 69 and the UTK were amalgamated into the PGK Command on 20 October 1997, when it was launched by the fifth Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor.
However, VAT 69 and the UTK are still operated 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 Security and Public Order () Director.
The unit commander holds the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) and is the deputy director of the Internal Security and Public Order (Special Operations Command).
With the growing threat of terrorism since the 9/11 attacks, this unit has increasingly adapted itself to conduct counter-terrorism duties. With the aim of creating teams that are capable of dealing with a broad range of operations (especially counter-terrorism), 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 assault units, EOD experts, communications experts, snipers and field medics. The PGK has also forged closer relations with the special forces units of the Malaysian Armed Forces, including the elite 10th Parachute Brigade, 21 Grup Gerak Khas, PASKAL and PASKAU, so as to enable them to enforce security within Malaysia's borders more effectively.
Roles +List of PGK detachments and their SpecialtiesDetachmentUnit Name Insignia SpecialityNotesASpecial Actions Unit Counter-terrorist and VIP close protection UTK has a variety of roles in addition to helping other branch's duties in large and serious cases. The UTK is tasked in four main roles which is:
Fighting urban guerrillas, terrorist groups, groups of subversive and extremist organizations. Assist the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in major criminal cases. Conducting safety protection to local VIPs and foreign visitors if may be deemed necessary. Other responsibilities as directed by the Inspector-General of Police and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police.
The UTK tactics and organisation are primarily influenced by the German GSG 9 and American Special Activities Division but with a difference; UTK operatives operate mostly in plain-clothes and also perform undercover missions. With 410 members (as of November 2017), 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 VVIPs. UTK operators are trained for urban operations, airborne operations and underwater operations.B69 Commando Battalion Multi-spectrum operations VAT 69 commando operatives are jungle warfare specialists given VAT 69's origins as a force established to fight the communist threats in 1969 and the insurgency years. Originally trained by the British and New Zealand SAS, VAT 69 commandos conduct land, sea and air special operations techniques, with specialties in jungle warfare and deep reconnaissance missions. They execute special operations in support of the Police Special Branch fight against subversive organisations and terrorist activities, such as offensive operations using special weapons and tactics, hostage rescue, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and close protection. It can also be deployed to support the Malaysian Armed Forces in special circumstances.
There are four infantry squadrons in VAT 69 Commando with its own logistic unit, totaling around 500 members. The VAT 69 consists of four main combat units: Counter Insurgency Warfare (CIW) Unit Counter Terrorist Team (CTT) Airborne Team Combat Diving Unit
Both VAT 69's and UTK's snipers, technicians and explosive expertise regularly cross-train with foreign special forces units, including the Special Air Service Regiments of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the Royal Thai Border Patrol Police, the French GIGN, the German GSG 9, and a number of US services including the US Navy SEALs, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and others. UTK members wear maroon berets while VAT 69 Commando members wear the sand coloured beret given to them by their founding trainers, the SAS.
On 14 November 2006, for the first time in the history of PGK, the maroon and sand coloured berets were honoured as 'Royal Berets' by Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putera Jamalullail, the then King of Malaysia.
Area of responsibility
The PGK divides areas of responsibility of both PGK detachments by states which are: Detachment A (UTK)Detachment B (VAT 69)JohorPahangKuala LumpurPenangMalaccaPerakNegeri SembilanPerlisPutrajayaKedahSelangorKelantanTerengganu For Sabah and Sarawak, it is under the responsibility of General Operations Force (GOF) Special Forces Equivalent Unit; Tiger Platoon from GOF Sabah Brigade and GOF Sarawak Brigade. The Tiger Platoons are supported by both PGK detachments.
Recruitment, selection and training
Both VAT 69 and UTK has their own recruitment and selection program. All members of the RMP with two years of service can apply to the unit selections.
The PGK is known to conduct joint training exercises and participate in exchange programs with Commonwealth special units such as the Australian SAS, British SAS, New Zealand SAS and Singapore Special Tactics and Rescue. The PGK routinely trains with neighbouring country tactical teams such as the Indonesian Mobile Brigade and Thailand Border Patrol Police. Occasionally, the PGK trains with FBI Hostage Rescue Team, French GIGN and RAID, German GSG 9, Italian NOCS, Spanish G.E.O, US Delta Force, US Green Berets, US Army Special Operations Command Pacific Unit (SOCPAC), Russian Special Rapid Response Unit and other international units.
On 10 December 2003, the then Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Haji Omar, launched the training programme between the US SOCPAC and the 69th PGK at the General Operations Force Training Center in Ulu Kinta, Perak. The team of SOCPAC were to conduct a joint exercise with the PGK, under the code-name "Advance Vector Balance Mint" for a duration of 2 weeks.
Equipment
PGK 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
Firearms +NameOriginTypeVariantsColt 1911A1Semi-automatic pistolSTI GrandmasterSTI Tactical-5.0Glock17, 18, 26, 34Heckler & Koch USPHeckler & Koch Mk23 Mod 0SIG Sauer SP2022Benelli M3 Super 90ShotgunFranchi SPAS-12Remington 870Police MagnumRemington 1100CZ Scorpion Evo 3Submachine gunHeckler & Koch MP5A5, N, K-A4, SD6Heckler & Koch UMPHeckler & Koch MP7Personal defense weaponA1Colt M4A1CarbineColt APCHeckler & Koch HK416D10RS, D14.5RSHeckler & Koch G36CSteyr AUGA3Special Operations Assault RifleFN SCAR-HBattle rifleAccuracy International PMSniper rifleAccuracy International AX338Accuracy International AWSMHK PSG-1A1Barrett M82Remington 700PM60 machine gunMachine gunM79 grenade launcherGrenade launcherM203 grenade launcher
Less lethal weapons +NameOriginTypeBean bag roundsProjectileM84 stun grenadeStun grenadePepper sprayLachrymatorPepper-spray projectileProjectileTaser X26 Electroshock weapon
Notes The Bean Bag shell is typically fired from a shotgun, and is used by police and military forces mainly in the United States to disperse riots when it is not able to be controlled with tear gas. When fired, the bean bag (or BB) made from rubber and plastic is expelled at around 70–90 meters/second; it spreads out in flight and distributes its impact over about 6 centimetres² of the target. It is designed to deliver a blow that will cause minimum long-term trauma and no penetration, but will result in a muscle spasm or other reaction to briefly render a violent suspect immobile.