Three elite teams disbanded

KUALA LUMPUR: Three elite police (PDRM) teams – formed to tackle vice, organised crime and narcotics – will be disbanded within weeks following restructuring at Bukit Aman.

The Special Task Force for Anti-vice, Gaming and Gangsterism (Stagg), Special Task Force on Organised Crime (Stafoc) and Special Tactical Intelligence Nar­cotics Group (Sting) will be dissolved in the initial phase of the restructuring.

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the disbandment had been proposed and he will announce it when the matter is finalised.

“I received the first briefing on the restructuring of PDRM. One of the proposals is to disband the task forces. I will announce it completely within one to two weeks as we cannot rush it,” he said after attending the Bukit Aman Hari Raya celebrations yesterday.

The restructuring also involves a few Bukit Aman departments as well as staffing.

“We want to transform the police force to ensure it is respected by the public. We want to ensure the police force is an enforcement agency with high integrity and credibility,” Muhyiddin said.

Muhyiddin said he would take into consideration proposals from PDRM to ensure its image was respected.

“We want the public to retain their confidence and trust in the police force,” he said.

Currently, there were still avenues where the police force could improve on weaknesses, he added.

“We want the shortcomings rectified in every aspect, including operations, management and relations with the people.

“Our ultimate goal is to make Malaysia one of the safest countries in the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the initial phase of the restructuring would involve the three task forces within the Narcotic Crime Investigation Department and CID.

Stagg was formed with the aim of catching the “big fish” involved in local as well as international vice and gambling syndicates.

Stafoc was formed to go after underworld kingpins and those involved in gangsterism and other serious crimes.

Sting was formed to target the most notorious drug syndicates and drug barons.