The Special Tasks and Rescue Team (, Jawi: ڤاسوكن تيندقن خاص دان ڤڽلامت ماريتيم), abbreviated as STAR, serves as the command for elite maritime special operations and underwater divers within the Malaysia Coast Guard. It was established as a rapid reaction force for emergencies within the maritime zone of Malaysia.

STAR plays a crucial role alongside the Royal Malaysian Navy's Naval Special Forces (PASKAL) and the Royal Malaysian Police's Marine Assault Team (UNGERIN) in addressing piracy, terrorism, and robbery threats at sea, responding promptly before reinforcements arrive from the Royal Malaysian Police's Marine Operations Force, Malaysia Coast Guard, and the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Additionally, STAR shares responsibilities in maritime search and rescue with the Royal Malaysian Air Force's RMAF Special Forces (PASKAU) Maritime Para Rescue Squadron.

History

Established as Coast Guard Special Forces On 31 March 2005, the Pasukan Tindakan Khas Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (PTK-APMM) (; MMEA-SAT) was founded. Several commandos from the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) PASKAU and the Royal Malaysian Navy's PASKAL were reassigned to the Malaysia Coast Guard (MCG) to constitute the inaugural STAR team. The concept of MCG's special forces is modelled after the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) Maritime Safety and Security Team and Maritime Security Response Team, as well as the Japan Coast Guard's Special Security Team.

Initiate recruitment within the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency For a few years, recruitment was exclusively open to special forces from any service within the Malaysian Armed Forces. However, the PTK-APMM later decided to recruit its members internally within the agency. In April 2008, 25 coast guard members successfully completed the preparatory course held at Pulau Indah in Selangor. This included one commissioned officer, three senior non-commissioned officers (SNCO), and one non-commissioned officer (NCO). The trainees for this course were selected from the PTK-APMM selection test held from 19 to 24 December 2008.

In July 2009, 24 trainees successfully completed the RMAF Basic Commando Course, forming the pioneer team of homegrown STAR special operations commandos. According to the Deputy Director Chief of Malaysian Maritime Operations, VAdm. (M) Dato' Noor Aziz Yunnan, the team needed an additional 200 members by the end of the year.

Plans were made to incorporate rescue elements On 25 March 2009, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) assumed control of the Malaysia Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) from the Marine Department Malaysia (). Subsequently, the MMEA became responsible for managing all emergency calls and providing appropriate responses to emergencies within the Malaysian maritime zone. The centre was renamed the 'Malaysia Maritime Communication Centre' (MMCC), and its sub-centres were designated as 'Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres' (MRSC). To avoid confusion with international shipping operators, the name was later changed to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), maintaining the same abbreviation as the original name.

In conjunction with this, the MMEA established the Maritime Search and Rescue () unit and initiated the formation of MMEA Rescue Divers, placing them under Maritime Search and Rescue to support the centre and sub-centres. The agency also planned to integrate the PTK-APMM into Maritime Search and Rescue, forming a unified unit that combined both PTK-APMM and MMEA Rescue Divers. As a result, PTK-APMM was renamed Pasukan Tindakan Khas dan Penyelamat Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia in Malay, or Special Tasks and Rescue Team in English. Despite the renaming, the merger of the Malaysia Coast Guard Rescue Divers with the Special Tasks and Rescue Team did not occur until October 2023. Prior to 2023, the Malaysia Coast Guard Rescue Divers continued to operate under the MRCC and MRSC.

Upgraded to the status of a Special Operations Command for the Coast Guard The Special Tasks and Rescue were elevated to the Special Operations Command for the Malaysia Coast Guard in September 2023. The commandos under STAR were divided into two squadrons: the Assault Squadron of the Malay Peninsula and the Assault Squadron of Sabah and Sarawak.

Rescue Divers were integrated into the Special Tasks and Rescue In October 2023, all rescue divers units were integrated into the Special Tasks and Rescue, forming the Malaysia Coast Guard Diving Squadron. With this integration, the number of squadrons under STAR increased to three.

National special operations force

In 2016, the main counter-terrorism commandos in Malaysia were consolidated into one special operations task force. Several commandos from the STAR were selected to be part of the National Special Operations Force (NSOF). The NSOF was disbanded in October 2018.

Roles and capabilities

The Special Tasks and Rescue Team (STAR) was established to support the agency in enforcing laws and regulations in the Maritime Zone of Malaysia. The STAR is assigned two main tasks: special rescue operations and special operations for forced boarding. The primary functions of the STAR include:

Conducting search and rescue operations in challenging conditions. Performing forced boarding operations on vessels. Countering terrorism and piracy. Conducting surface and underwater rescue operations.

The STAR Teams are trained to perform the following:

Maritime interdiction and law enforcement Force protection CBRN-E (chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear) detection Maritime search and rescue Port Protection/Anti-Sabotage Underwater Port Security Canine Handling Teams (Explosive detection) Tactical Boat Operations Non-Permissive Boarding Capability Counter-Terrorism Vertical Insertion (Fast roping) Hook and Climb

Structures The headquarters of the Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR) is located within the Malaysia Coast Guard (MCG) Headquarters in Putrajaya. The STAR command comprises three squadrons strategically distributed across Malaysia to ensure rapid response capabilities. Currently, the command oversees three distinct specialised units: +Special Tasks and RescueUnit's name (English)Unit's name (Malay)AbbreviationRoles and specialityMalaysia Coast Guard Special Tasks and Rescue TeamPasukan Tindakan Khas Maritim MalaysiaSTAR TeamMaritime special operations, counter-terrorism, and boarding operationsMalaysia Coast Guard Rescue SwimmersPerenang Penyelamat Maritim MalaysiaHeliborne maritime search and rescue (SAR) and medical evacuationMalaysia Coast Guard Rescue DiversPenyelam Penyelamat Maritim MalaysiaUnderwater search and rescue, hull inspections, and maritime recovery The STAR Team and Rescue Divers are organised into three special operations squadrons. In contrast, the MCG Rescue Swimmers are permanently stationed at MCG airbases to facilitate immediate deployment via aviation assets. The current structures are as followings:

Current structures

Currently, the Special Tasks and Rescue consists of the following units:

Headquarters, Special Tasks and Rescue. At the Malaysia Coast Guard Headquarters in Putrajaya Assault Squadron of the Malay Peninsular (Maritime special operations). At Klang in Selangor Assault Squadron of Sabah and Sarawak (Maritime special operations). At Kota Kinabalu in Sabah Malaysia Coast Guard Diving Squadron Diving School (Underwater rescue divers & training unit). At Sultan Ahmad Shah Coast Guard Academy in Pahang Johor Diving Unit (Underwater rescue divers). At Johor Bahru in Johor Perak Diving Unit (Underwater rescue divers). At Lumut in Perak Sabah Diving Unit (Underwater rescue divers). At Kota Kinabalu in Sabah Sarawak Diving Unit (Underwater rescue divers). At Kuching in Sarawak

Team level Each STAR Assault team consists of 25 commandos. The STAR teams are distributed across all Maritime Districts (MD, ) in the country.

Uniforms and insignia

Beret

Scarlet red beret Commando-trained personnel of the STAR Team wear scarlet red berets to distinguish themselves from other Malaysian special forces. Officially designated as the Beret Merah Saga Gerak Khas (), the headgear adopts the specific shade of red featured in the Malaysia Coast Guard (MCG) logo. Before the adoption of this current colour, STAR special operations commandos wore a beret in a blue shade known as "Midnight Express" .

Navy blue beret Members of the STAR command who have not undergone commando training wear the standard navy blue beret. This headgear is identical to that worn by other regular units within the MCG.

Insignia As the STAR command encompasses three distinct units with specialised roles, each is identified by its own unique insignia. These badges are awarded upon the successful completion of their respective training pipelines and signify the specific expertise of the wearer.

STAR Special Operations Insignia As a maritime special operations unit, the STAR command draws significant influence from the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Naval Special Forces (PASKAL). All qualified commandos wear the golden STAR Insignia above the left breast pocket, a placement similar to the PASKAL Trimedia (the Malaysian equivalent of the U.S. Navy SEALs "Trident" insignia).

The components of the insignia represent:

Wings: The traditional symbol for airborne and paradrop capabilities. Rope and Anchor: Traditional symbols representing a naval and maritime unit. Crossed Bugis Badiks: Representing the heritage of skilful sailors and warriors. Five-Pointed Star: Representing "STAR", the acronym for Special Tasks and Rescue.

Rescue Swimmer Insignia The design of the MCG Rescue Swimmer insignia was influenced by the United States Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard. The badge is modelled after the Aviation Survival Technician's Rescue Swimmer Wings but adapted for the Malaysian context. This gold-coloured insignia is worn in the same manner as the STAR Special Operations Insignia.

The components of the Rescue Swimmer Insignia represent:

Wings: Symbolising the unit's heliborne and airborne search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. Rope and Anchor: Traditional symbols representing a naval and maritime unit. Lifebuoy: Representing the primary mission of saving lives at sea. Four-Pointed Star: A dual symbol representing both the "STAR" acronym and a compass rose for navigation.

Coast Guard Divers Skills Badge Coast Guard personnel who successfully complete the MCG Rescue Divers' training pipeline are awarded a bronze Coast Guard Divers Skills Badge. The design draws inspiration from the U.S. Army special operations diver badge and is worn on the breast pocket.

The components of the Divers Skills Badge represent:

Diving Mask, Rebreather, and Swim-fins: Symbolising expertise in professional diving and underwater operations. Rope and Anchor: Traditional symbols representing a naval and maritime unit. Lifebuoy: Representing the primary mission of saving lives at sea. Diving Knife: Representing the bravery required to operate in hazardous underwater environments. "Penyelam APMM" Inscription: The Malay designation for Malaysia Coast Guard Divers.

Shoulder tabs Personnel within the Special Tasks and Rescue command wear distinctive shoulder tabs on the right sleeve of their uniforms to indicate their specific qualification and unit affiliation.

STAR Team: Qualified special operations commandos wear a tab embroidered with "STAR". Rescue Swimmers and Divers: Personnel who have successfully completed the diving pipeline wear a tab embroidered with "PENYELAM" (Malay for "Diver").

Uniforms In Malaysia, elite units traditionally adopt unique uniforms to establish a distinct identity. Within the STAR command, there are three specialised uniforms unique to each unit's operational role.

Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) Battle Dress Uniform