New elite group formed to combat vice, gaming and gangsterism

KUALA LUMPUR: The police have set up a new elite group to combat vice, gaming and gangsterism activities in the country.

The group, called the Special Task Force for Anti-vice, Gaming and Gangsterism (STAGG), joined the Special Tactics and Intelligence Narcotics Group (Sting) and Special Task Force on Organised Crime (Stafoc), which were formed earlier this year specifically to bust drug rings and serious crimes.

STAGG, which was launched by Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Sunday at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), comprises 220 personnel of various ranks.

"Out of the total, 61 are senior officers, 139 are of the lower ranking personnel, while 20 are civil servants.

"We chose the best out of the best and their appointment was given a special approval by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak," Dr Ahmad Zahid said in his speech.

At the launch, Dr Ahmad Zahid also congratulated the appointment of new Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim, who previously headed the Bukit Aman Narcotic Criminal Investigation Department.

Noor Rashid replaced former deputy IGP Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Zinin, effective Dec 1.

Mohd Bakri retired on Sept 7.