The Special Actions Unit (, Jawi: اونيت تيندق خاص), commonly known as and abbreviated to UTK, is a tactical unit of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP). The unit is headquartered at the RMP buildings in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. Together with the 69 Commando (), they form the Pasukan Gerakan Khas ('Special Operations Command – Police SOCOM').

The UTK performs as a high-level national tactical unit, providing 24-hour close protection to high ranking government executives, as well as their partners. Additionally, undercover and covert missions are also conducted by the unit's members. UTK operators are especially trained to intervene in high-risk situations, such as hostage and barricade situations by hostile forces; especially highly trained terrorists and/or criminals. UTK is the earliest and most experienced unit in dealing with international terrorist organizations inside and outside Malaysia.

The UTK is comparable to a combination of the German Federal Police's tactical unit GSG 9 and the United States Secret Service's Counter Assault Team.

History

UTK was founded on 1 January 1975 by order of then Inspector-General of Police, Tun Hanif Omar. They were deployed on their first mission during the Japanese Red Army (; Rōmaji: Nihon Sekigun) hostage incident on 5 August 1975 where 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 urban environments. UTK had also worked alongside the Grup Gerak Khas (Malaysian Army's special forces unit) to manage security during the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Unification to Pasukan Gerakan Khas

On 20 October 1997, the Royal Malaysia Police merged VAT 69 and UTK into one special operations command known as the Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK; 'Special Operations Command – Police SOCOM'), which was launched by the then Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, Mahathir Mohamad and then Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor.A. Navaratnam, p. 192

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

National Special Operations Force In 2016, select Malaysian counter-terrorism operators are grouped into one special operations task force, called the National Special Operations Force in which a few UTK operators were selected to be part of.

Roles

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

Combating terror occurring on land, especially involving buildings and ground aircraft hijacking. Fighting urban guerrillas, terrorist groups, groups of subversive and extremist organizations. Assist the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in major criminal cases. Securings protection to local VIPs and foreign visitors when deemed necessary. 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 name for the unit is 'Unit Tindakhas'. UTK has a variety of roles in addition to helping other branch's duties in large and serious cases.

The tactics and organization 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, neutralize targets, track down fugitives, escorting and protecting leaders and VIPs, and occasionally conduct sniper operations. UTK members are trained to operate urban operations, airborne operations, and underwater operations.

In 2014, RMP establishes three 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.

Functions and area of responsibility 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 terms of technique and training to other RMP Elite units; Tiger Platoon, UNGERIN, and CID All Black Units

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

Maroon berets UTK operators wear blueish shades (bordeaux colour) of maroon beret as it is worn by the British SAS during the time period. The maroon beret given by 22 SAS acted as to prove 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 colored berets of PGK were honored as Royal Berets by Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putera Jamalullail, the then King of Malaysia.

Parachute wings The parachute wings identify the abilities of UTK in parachutist, airborne unit and air assault operations. These can only be worn after passing the Basic Tactical Parachuting Course ().

UTK insignia The UTK insignia was influenced by the British SAS and Malayan Scouts' (now known as 22 SAS) insignia, since the unit had been trained by them.

Organisation Previously separate entities, both the VAT 69 and the UTK were merged into the PGK Command on 20 October 1997, launched by the fifth 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 Pasukan Gerakan Khas Detachment B.

Based at the Royal Malaysia Police Headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, the UTK is under the direct command of RMP's Internal Security and Public Order Department (). The unit commander holds the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) and unit deputy commander holds the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

With the growing threat of terrorism since the 11 September attacks, this unit has 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 operations), the PGK small patrol team consists of six to ten operatives led by officers ranked from Police Inspector to Superintendent of Police with different expertises 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 Despite having limited members, the UTK is composed of various teams with their own specialized duties and expertise. Publicly known teams under UTK are: Name (English)Name (Malay)Roles/FunctionsNotesSpecial Close Protection UnitUnit Kawalan Rapat KhasProvides close protection to the VVIP, prime minister, deputy prime minister, ministers, ex-prime ministers and King of MalaysiaAssault UnitUnit PenggempurCounter Assault, Sniping, Airborne Team, Transport and Building raid1975Technical Support UnitUnit Bantuan TeknikThis service group maintains the UTK armoury, other 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.1975Combat Diver UnitUnit Selam TempurDiving and maritime operations, for example anti-piracy, amphibious assault, VBSS and underwater demolition.1985

Recruitment, selection and training

All members of the Malaysian police force with two years of service may 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 or 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: Run 2.4 km below 9 minutes Freestyle swimming for at least 8-10 laps Do at least 9-13 pull-up reps Do at least 30 sit-up reps Do at least 60 push-up reps 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, the basic course lasts for three months, 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%.

Among the training in the basic special actions course is:

Fitness training (camp phase) Physical and mental training (jungle phase) Basic rope training Basic first aid training Unarmed combat training () Marksmanship Basic close quarters combat () Basic hostage rescue (urban, aircraft and train)

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

Continuation training

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

Close quarters combat – CQC Counter-insurgency Unconventional warfare Sabotage Close VIP protection Vehicular assault Unarmed combat Knife combat Marksmanship Booby-trap defusing Underwater demolitions

Intelligence gathering Intelligence Counterintelligence Special reconnaissance Long-range combat patrol

Task oriented 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 High-risk arrests (armed and dangerous subjects) Hostage rescue (HR) K9 handling 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.)