The 69 Commando (; Jawi: ), also known as Very Able Troopers 69 (abbreviated as VAT 69), is an elite special forces unit of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP). The unit is based at Camp Sultan Nazrin Shah in Ulu Kinta, Perak. Along with the Special Actions Unit (; UTK), it forms the Police Special Operations Command (; PGK). The primary mission of 69 Commando is to conduct high-risk tasks such as counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, intelligence gathering, and counter-insurgency within Malaysian borders.
Before 1989, the primary task of 69 Commando was to conduct operations against communist insurgents in the Malaysian jungle. Many of its operatives were recruited from the Senoi Praaq, an elite tracking unit and masters of the jungle, which is now a component of the RMP General Operations Force (GOF). Today, 69 Commando holds a much wider counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency role, yet it maintains significant expertise in jungle warfare.
The 69 Commando, originally known as the Task Force, Charlie Force, or the Special Project Team, was established in 1969. The numerical designation "69" refers to its year of founding. The unit was modelled on the British 22nd Special Air Service (22 SAS) Regiment as a small, highly mobile combat unit designed to counter the tactics of communist insurgents. The proposal for an elite paramilitary police unit was initiated by the then Minister of Home Affairs, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, to address the escalation of the Second Malayan Emergency, which began in 1968.
In 1968, a pioneer team of 31 police officers from the Police Field Force (; PPH) was sent to the Malaysian Special Service Unit (MSSU) at Camp Sebatang Karah in Port Dickson for a basic commando course. Only five officers graduated from this initial programme. This team was primarily used to provide insights into the selection process and help the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) prepare for future recruitment.
In October 1969, approximately 1,600 personnel from the PPH applied for the selection. Following a rigorous pre-selection process, 60 candidates proceeded to the basic commando course. On 23 October 1969, a group of instructors from the British SAS arrived at Fort Kemar in Perak to supervise the basic commando course. Thirty officers successfully completed the course, forming the nucleus of the 69 Commando. At the time, the unit was officially named Pasukan Polis Hutan 69 (PPH 69) and operated as a component of the Police Field Force (present-day General Operations Force).
During the 1970s, 69 Commando conducted its initial operations against the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA). The unit was effective in neutralising insurgents and recovering significant quantities of weapons and equipment. 69 Commando maintained a close operational relationship with the Senoi Praaq Regiment, an elite light infantry unit composed of Orang Asli personnel. Together, they conducted operations against pro-communist "ASAL" groups, which consisted of Orang Asli sympathisers of the communist movement.
In 1977, three additional squadrons were established and trained by the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS). During this period, a dedicated course was also developed to train internal instructors. By 1980, the expansion programme was complete, and 69 Commando became a fully equipped unit with its own logistical support department.
In 1978, 65 personnel from the unit were sent to Hua Hin, Thailand, for airborne training by instructors from the Border Patrol Police of the Royal Thai Police. This month-long course focused on parachuting skills, specifically static line insertion techniques.
Following the formal end of the communist insurgency in 1989, the unit's focus shifted from jungle warfare to modern unconventional threats. The Malaysian government decided to retrain two militarised units, the 69 Commando and the 11th Special Service Regiment of the Malaysian Army, in counter-terrorism to support the existing Special Actions Unit (UTK). This modernisation effort was designated the "Nelson Glory Project". In 1990, instructors from the British 22 SAS were deployed to Malaysia to train both units in urban warfare and counter-terrorism. Since this transition, these three units have served as Malaysia's primary counter-terrorism forces.
On 20 October 1997, under the administration of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Rahim Noor, the RMP reorganised its special operations structure. The 69 Commando and the UTK were unified under a single command known as Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK), or the Police Special Operations Command. Although they were amalgamated into one directorate, both units remain distinct entities that operate in different tactical environments.
Since its establishment in 1969, 69 Commando has shared facilities with various other police units. In 2024, a dedicated site in Ulu Kinta, Perak, named the Camp Sultan Nazrin Shah, was officially handed over to the unit to serve as its permanent garrison and headquarters. Prior to this, 69 Commando was based within the General Operations Force Northern Brigade camp, which is also located in Ulu Kinta.
The construction of the new headquarters began in 2018 with an allocation of RM236 million. The complex received its certificate of completion on 14 February 2024, and the unit began moving into the facility in stages. The official handover ceremony took place on 4 May 2024 and was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The establishment of this dedicated camp is regarded as a significant recognition of the unit's role in national security.
VAT 69 roles are believed to include:
The sand coloured beret was bestowed by 22nd Special Air Service when the original VAT 69 troop was founded and trained by SAS instructors. The sand-coloured beret then given back to the VAT 69 after the beret was officially accepted as an official headdress of VAT 69 on 18 December 2004 by the then Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Omar.
On 14 November 2006, for the first time in the history of Royal Malaysian Police, the maroon and sand-coloured berets of PGK were honoured as Royal Berets by Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putera Jamalullail, the then King of Malaysia.
These wings, worn on the left arm of the uniform, identify the wearer as a qualified parachutist, airborne unit and air assault operations operator. The parachute wings are mostly worn by operators from Pasukan Gerakan Khas and are awarded on completion of the Basic Tactical Parachuting Course (). The wing's design is inspired from the Royal Thai Police Parachute Jump Wings Badge.
There are four infantry squadrons in VAT 69 Commando with its own logistics unit, totalling around 1,900 members. Squadrons are split into patrol teams consisting of six to ten operatives led by a Police Inspector (Insp) or Superintendent of Police (SUPT). Within each patrol, individual members may specialise in sniping, explosive ordnance disposal, demolitions, communications and as field medics.
Previously separate entities, both the VAT 69 and the UTK were amalgamated into the PGK Command on 20 October 1997, when it was launched by the 5th Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor. However, VAT 69 and the UTK are still operational as separate units. The UTK is now officially known as Pasukan Gerakan Khas Detachment A and VAT 69 has been deputised to Pasukan Gerakan Khas Detachment B.
Based at the Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, the PGK is under the direct command of the RMP's Internal Security and Public Order (; KDNKA) Director. The unit commander holds the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) and is the deputy director of the Internal Security and Public Order (Special Operations Command).
Originally established to counter the communist threat during the insurgency years; VAT 69 was raised and trained by the British SAS to specialise in jungle warfare, deep reconnaissance and counter-insurgency. Originally trained by the British SAS, VAT 69 commandos conduct land, sea and air special operation techniques, with a specialty in jungle warfare and deep reconnaissance missions. They execute special operations in support of the Police Special Branch fight against subversive organisations and terrorist activities, conduct offensive operations using special weapons and tactics, counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, hostage rescue, close protection and supporting the special forces, Rapid Deployment Force () or infantry force of the Malaysian Armed Forces in any security measures.
With the growing threat of terrorism since the 11 September attacks, this unit has increasingly adapted itself to conduct counter-terrorism duties. With the aim of creating teams that are capable of dealing with a broad range of operations (especially counter-terrorism operations), the PGK has forged closer relations with the special forces of the Malaysian Armed Forces, including the 10th Paratrooper Brigade, Grup Gerak Khas, PASKAL and PASKAU, so as to enable them to more effectively enforce security within Malaysia's borders.
VAT 69's and UTK's snipers, technicians and explosive expertise specialists regularly cross-train with foreign special forces including the Special Air Service Regiments of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the Royal Thai Border Patrol Police, and a number of U.S. services including the Army Green Berets, Navy SEALs and others.
In 2014, RMP established new elite units (STAFOC, STING and STAGG). UTK and VAT 69 is given another role which is to support these three new units in term of training and technical capabilities.
To join 69 Commando, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous selection and training pipeline. The process is open to all personnel within the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) who are under 30 years of age and possess a clean health record. While members of the RMP General Operations Force (GOF) are often preferred due to their prior exposure to infantry tactics and jungle warfare, this is not a mandatory prerequisite.
The primary requirement for volunteers is a minimum of two years of service within any branch or department of the RMP. This ensures that all operatives possess a comprehensive understanding of law enforcement policies and police procedures. Volunteers from non-infantry backgrounds are required to complete the three-month Kursus Asas Pasukan Gerakan Am (General Operations Force Basic Course) before entering the commando pipeline.
The selection process is divided into four distinct phases:
The screening process typically lasts for two days and is a mandatory requirement for any police officer volunteering for units under the Pasukan Gerakan Khas, including 69 Commando and the Special Actions Unit. Prospective trainees are expected to exceed the minimum standards of the Physical Screening Test (PST) to demonstrate their suitability for special forces. The requirements include:
Candidates who successfully pass this screening are subsequently assigned to a pre-basic course specific to the unit for which they volunteered.
This preparatory phase lasts for two weeks and places a heavy emphasis on the mental and physical conditioning of volunteers before they undertake the formal commando course. During this period, candidates are introduced to basic infantry soldiering skills and small unit tactics. The training also focuses on building camaraderie among the volunteers, as these collective bonds and skills are essential for success in the subsequent phases of the pipeline.
The primary distinction between the selection pipelines of 69 Commando and the Special Actions Unit (UTK) lies in this course. While the UTK training focuses predominantly on urban warfare, the 69 Commando course is specifically tailored for jungle and guerrilla operations.
Historically, 69 Commando candidates were required to complete the same 12-week Basic Commando Course currently utilised by the Malaysian Armed Forces special forces. However, the modern curriculum has been adapted to meet the specific operational requirements of the unit. Since July 2019, the duration has been extended to 20 weeks, and the syllabus has been restructured into three distinct phases:
First Phase
In the first phase, candidates are introduced to the four primary environments in which 69 Commando operates: built-up areas, jungle, swamp, and maritime settings. Trainees also study the theoretical and fundamental aspects of special operations, including map reading, infiltration methods, and survival techniques.
Second Phase
This phase places a heavy emphasis on small unit tactics. The syllabus covers several critical disciplines, including:
Third Phase
The final phase, designated as the Final Mission Execution, subjects candidates to comprehensive testing of all skills acquired throughout the preceding months. This stage is comparable to the "Escape and Evasion" phase found in military commando selection, requiring trainees to apply their knowledge under extreme pressure.
To accomplish its varied mission profiles, the 69 Commando ensures that its members are well trained in the required aspects of special operations. These include:
The 69 Commando is known to conduct joint training exercises and participate in exchange programs with Commonwealth special units such as the Australian SAS, New Zealand SAS, British SAS and Singapore Special Tactics and Rescue. The 69 Commando routinely trains with neighbouring nations' tactical teams such as the Indonesian Mobile Brigade and Thailand Border Patrol Police. Occasionally, the 69 Commando trains with Green Berets, Army Special Operations Command Pacific Unit (SOCPAC) of the United States and other international units.
On 10 December 2003, the then Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Haji Omar, launched the training program between the USSOCPAC and the VAT 69 at the GOF Training Center in Ulu Kinta, Perak. The SOCPAC team were to conduct joint exercise with the PGK, under the code-name Advance Vector Balance Mint for a duration of 2 weeks. Only 42 out of the 194 participants completed the inaugural program.
69 Commando teams use equipment designed for a variety of specialist situations.
The particular pieces of equipment vary from unit to unit, but there are some consistent trends in what they wear and use.
Much of their equipment is indistinguishable from that supplied to the military, not least because much of it is military surplus.
As a special forces unit, the 69 Commando employs a number of specialised vehicles to accomplish its missions.
These include the Commando V-150D and the GKN Sankey AT105 armoured personnel carriers equipped with M60s as assault vehicles in urban and jungle terrain.
69 Commando also uses modified police MPV (Mobile Patrol Vehicles), vans, trucks, 4WD and buses for use as tactical vehicles, which included but are not limited to the Land Rover Defender, Ford Ranger RIV and Mitsubishi Pajero.
PGK also employs RHIB assault boats, jet-skis and Marine Subskimmer (DPV) in maritime missions and amphibious insertions.
For its airborne operations, 69 Commando utilises the C-130 Hercules, Cessna 206G, Cessna 208 Caravan 1 and Pilatus Porter PC-6 aircraft as well as the E-Squirrel AS-355 F2/AS-355N helicopter.
On 25 October 2007, the US Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) West funded RM2 million state-of-the-art shooting house for the VAT 69 Commando battalion was opened.
69 Commando will get their own base after 47 years sharing base with the General Operations Force Northern Brigade. The new base estimated to be fully operational in 2017.
Its first counter-terrorism mission, which is one of the most well-known and which established the unit's reputation as an elite unit, was an operation known as "Operasi Subuh"/"Operasi Khas 304" (Operations Dawn/Special Operation 304). It was carried out on 3 July 2000 against the militants of Al-Ma'unah who had stolen ninety-seven M16 rifles, two Steyr AUG rifles, four General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), six light machine guns (LMG), five M203 grenade launchers, twenty-six bayonet daggers and thousands of ammunition rounds from two control posts of the Territorial Army () camp in Kuala Rui, Perak and captured two police officers, one army special forces soldier and one villager as hostages and planned to commit treason against a democratically elected government.
In the dawn of 5 July 2000, police and military units created a distraction, while members of the PGK led by 69 Commando Battalion leader ASP Abd Razak Mohd Yusof, accompanied by the 21st Special Service Group led by Malaysian Army senior officer Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Zaini Mohamad Said, were sent to Sauk to negotiate with the Al-Ma'unah leader, Mohamed Amin Mohamed Razali.
Amin, along with his comrades, were persuaded to drop their arms and surrender to the security forces. Although most of the group initially surrendered, negotiations eventually broke down and a bloody gunfight ensued. In these incidents, 2 of the 4 hostages were killed before the group finally surrendered. The security forces suffered two casualties â police Special Branch officer Detective Corporal R. Sanghadevan and Trooper Matthew anak Medan from the 22nd Commando Regiment were tortured before they were killed and was buried by 2 other hostages, Sergeant (R) Mohd Shah Ahmad and civilian Jaafar Puteh, in the jungle before they were both rescued by the security forces. Abdul Halim Ali @ Ahmad, a member of the militant group, was shot dead in the firefight and five others were injured, including two seriously. The other 22 were taken into police custody. Mohamed Amin, Zahit Muslim, Jemari Jusoh and Jamaludin Darus were later sentenced to death and the other 16 were sentenced to life imprisonment. 10 more comrades, Megat Mohamed Hanafi Ilias, Muhamad Nukhshah Bandi Che Mansor, Riduan Berahim, Azlan Abdul Ghani, Shahidi Ali and Khairul Anuar Mohamed Ariffin, were sentenced by the High Court to ten years in jail each after pleading guilty to an alternative charge under Section 122 for preparing to wage war against the King of Malaysia after they pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.
Many VAT 69 commandos have received decorations for bravery and gallantry. Aside from that, some VAT 69 commandos have done many notable things that have etched their names in history.
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