IPOH (Bernama): The two General Operations Force members involved in the shootout with smugglers at the Malaysia-Thailand border early Tuesday (Nov 24) morning did not wear bulletproof vests because they were conducting intelligence work and not patrolling.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acyrl Sani Abdullah Sani (pic) said apart from not wearing bulletproof vests, officers or personnel involved in intelligence work were also not supplied with heavy weapons in order to hide their identities.
"During the incident, both of them were conducting intelligence work and not on patrol duty. According to the standard operating procedures (SOP), all security personnel on patrol duty must wear uniforms and protective equipment.
"... but when conducting intelligence work or going undercover, they cannot wear bulletproof vests and carry heavy weapons, ” he said after witnessing the handing over of duties for the Perak police chief here on Wednesday (Nov 25).
He was responding to questions raised by netizens on why the two General Operations Force (GOF) personnel from the Senoi Praaq team who did not wear bulletproof vests and only armed with Walther P99 pistols.
The two Corporals, Baharuddin Ramli, 54, who was killed and his partner Norihan Tari, 39, who was seriously injured, were promoted to the rank of Sergeant after the 3.10am incident.
Acyrl Sani said the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department was reviewing the current SOP for patrol duty, intelligence work and prevention operations to ensure the safety of officers, personnel as well as the public.
Besides that he said the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) had applied for 36 new armoured personnel carriers (APC) to ensure the safety of personnel conducting patrols at border areas in Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and the Eastern Sabah Security Command.
"The application was submitted last year and we hope for the first stage we can get 10 units of APC, ” he said adding that some of the current APC had been used for more than 40 years.- Bernama
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