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KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has formed a crisis negotiation team dubbed "Negotiator Cell" to act as a liaison between the government and terrorists in the event of any security situation that threatens national security.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (pic) said the special team consists of personnel highly trained and experienced in negotiation with terrorist groups.
He said it will be mobilised during a crisis that threatens national security, whether at home or abroad, to collect and convey information to the Crisis Management Team for it to make decisions.
"The team formed based on (National Security Council) Directive No 18 (handling hijackers or terrorists) also needs to maintain relations with the terrorists' side and find a peaceful solution without using violence.
"The negotiator's main mission is to save the lives of hostages in a situation by implementing the best strategy and obtain intelligence during the negotiation process, as well as to carry out tactical actions should negotiations fail," he said at the launch of the Negotiator Cell in Bukit Aman here on Friday (Oct 4).
The launch was also attended by National Security Council deputy director-general Datuk Baharuddin Ahmad, Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation director-general Lieutenant-General Datuk Mohd Razali Alias and Negotiator Cell commander Senior Asst Comm MV Srikumar Madhavan Nair.
According to Ayob Khan, the establishment of the cell is also in line with the evolution of security threats and crimes that are becoming more complex, as well as the need for PDRM to have skilled negotiators to deal with crises.
He said the team, which is under the control of the Inspector-General of Police through the director of the Internal Security and Public Order Department, also comprised members from the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
For now, he said the Negotiator Cell has nine members and more will be recruited in the near future. – Bernama
