Counter terror units take policing to new level

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WITH the ever-present threat of extremism and terrorism, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has been leaving nothing to chance to ensure the safety of the public and peace in the country.

PDRM’s Bomb Disposal Unit (UPB) and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNe) Unit play a key role in this effort to keep a lid on the threat of terrorism in Malaysia.

They also assist other agencies in cases related to security and the environment.

The Bomb Disposal Unit (UPB) established in 1979 is tasked with diffusing or disposing bombs or explosive ordnance in the country.

Insp Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Azmi gives explanation of examples explosive ordnance and equipment such as detonator, pipe bomb, hand grenade, mortar rounds and others to media practitioners on a site visit to the UPB and CBRNe station in Kuala Lumpur.

“The unit is tasked in accordance to the Operations Planning Committee (OPC) No. 8 that was released by the National Security Council (MKN),” said Insp Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Azmi of UPB.

“Our role is to handle and dispose Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

“We also assist the Special Branch in conducting Defensive Search and Offensive Search, especially at top government events involving high profile figures such as the Prime Minister,” he said.

Throughout the country, the unit has around 1,000 personnel including officers and others of various ranks.

The MVF-5 Multifunctional Robotic Vehicle, weighing at 13 tons (16 tons if loaded with water), is one of the only asset in the country used by UPB and CBRNe in carrying out heavy and dangerous tasks. The remote control vehicle made from Croatia and allows operator to handle Hazmat/CBRN materials from a distance.

In Sarawak alone, Ridzuan mentioned that there are around 100 UPB personnel.

Sarawak, according to him, has had about 36 cases involving the findings of explosive ordnance.

“For the past four years, there were only around 36 cases of explosive ordnance, however, most of it only involved UXO and there were no crime or violent elements,” he said.

Ridzuan said among the challenges UPB faces is ensuring its personnel are competent in their duty as homemade bombs or IEDs are becoming more complex, especially with the threat of terrorism.

The EOD specialist suit or known as bomb suit is at the disposal of UPB during tasks to dispose unexploded ordnance or active bomb. The heavy protection helmet alone weights around 10 kilogrammes and the protective suit weights around 37 kilogrammes, which requires an operator to have good physical strength to be able to wear one.

“To ensure that every personnel remains competent and skilled, they are required to attend validation and training which will be conducted by senior UPB officers from the PDRM Technical College and Bukit Aman every six months.

“All assignments are also assisted with the use of the latest assets and equipment such as Mini Robotic Vehicle and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialist suit to ensure the safety of all personnel in the unit,” he said.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Unit or CBRNe of PDRM also has it purpose against terrorism – given the recent trend on the use of chemical agents in warfare, which has happened once in Malaysia.

DSP Ahzril Hashim explaining to media practitioners on the items and equipment used by the CBRNe in detecting radiation, biological, chemical, nuclear and explosive weapons and agents.

DSP Ahzril Hashim of CBRNe said the unit was established in 2017 following the assassination of Kim Jong Nam after being exposed to VX nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

“Due to that assassination case few years ago, this unit was born because at that time, the police did not have jurisdiction in handling chemical agents other than the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), which helped in the case.

“Since the unit was established in 2017, we currently have 17 personnel to cover the entire nation, including in Sabah and Sarawak,” said Ahzril.

The CBRNe unit also works with various agencies such as the Forest Department in detecting pollution, for example the pollution of Kim Kim River in Pasir Gudang, Johore and the illegal disposal of chemical waste case in Klang.

“We also work with the Ministry of Health (MoH), MKN and Bomba as well as the Environment Department to find the cause of the pollution.

“In other cases, we are also tasked to assist the Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division (E8) in detecting and scanning suspicious containers coming in to the country as well as assisting UPB in inspections of certain locations such as at embassies, government buildings and others.”

Other than that, Azhril said the unit has submitted recommendations to set up three stations each in Sabah and Sarawak to broaden coverage.

“This will lessen deployment and posting of personnel issues as well as logistics and transportation of assets.

“If we solely depend on headquarters in Bukit Aman, we will have logistics and personnel problems as it will take more time to go to the Borneo states.

“By expanding the unit and covering the whole of Malaysia, I believe our objective can be realised as well as in improving the image of CBRNe and PDRM,” he said.

He added that the unit still needs a lot of skilled personnel so that there will be enough to cover the whole nation and increase security against chemical agents coming from outside.

Both Ridzuan and Azhril hope that their units will strive to serve and guard the nation from the threats of extremism and terrorism.