Elite Forces of Malaysia

Elite Forces

In Malaysia, the word 'Elite' are only applied to the personnel who pass Kursus Asas Komando ('Basic Commando Course'), Kursus Asas Unit Tindakhas ('Basic Special Actions Course') or Kursus Asas Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat ('Basic Rapid Deployment Course').^[1]

The term Pasukan Elit ('Elite Forces') can only be formally applied to these eight units:

Unit Crest	Unit Name (English)	Unit Name (Bahasa Malaysia)	Abbr.	Branch	Type	Prerequisite
	21st Special Service Group	21 Grup Gerak Khas ڬروڤ ڬرق خاص	GGK	Malaysian Army	Special forces	Commando-trained
	Naval Special Warfare Force	Pasukan Khas Laut ڤاسوكن خاص لاوت	PASKAL	Royal Malaysian Navy	Special forces	Commando-trained
	RMAF Special Force	Pasukan Khas TUDM ڤاسوكن خاص تنترا اودارا دراج مليسيا	PASKAU	Royal Malaysian Air Force	Special forces	Commando-trained
	10th Parachute Brigade	Briged ke-10 Payung Terjun ١٠ بريڬيد ڤايوڠ ترجون	10 Para	Malaysian Army	Airborne forces	Rapid Deployment-trained
	69 Commando Battalion	Batalion Komando 69 باتاليون كومندو ٦٩	VAT 69	Royal Malaysia Police	Special forces	Commando-trained
	Special Action Unit	Unit Tindakhas اونيت تيندق خاص	UTK	Royal Malaysia Police	Special forces	Special Actions-trained
	Special Task and Rescue	Pasukan Tindakan Khas dan Penyelamat ڤاسوكن تيندقن خاص دان ڤڽلامت	STAR	Malaysia Coast Guard	Special forces	Commando-trained
	JMF Elite Forces	Pasukan Elit Askar Timbalan Setia Negeri Johor ڤاسوكن ايليت عسكر تيمبالن ستيا نڬري جوهر	–	Royal Johor Military Force	Special forces	Commando-trained

Only two of these eight units accept women into their ranks, namely, the 10th Parachute Brigade and Special Actions Unit.

Special Forces Equivalent Unit

Specially trained combat units other than the eight units above are formally called Unit Bertaraf Pasukan Khas (lit. Special Forces Equivalent Unit).^[1] Unit Bertaraf Pasukan Khas in Malay Language can be translated in English as 'military units whose status is equal to special forces'. Special Forces Equivalent Units are trained in special operations or intelligence and can be deployed alone, as a team, or attached to other Special Forces unit to provide combat support.

It is not compulsory for its members to pass the elite courses such as the Basic Commando Course. However, there are several commando-trained soldiers who have been transferred from the special force units to the Special Forces Equivalent Unit, to lead, as instructors or in a combat role.^[2]

Special Rescue Unit

Specially trained non-combat units are tasked to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. These units were trained and selected using standards applied by the Malaysian military special operation forces, and its members are entrusted with using equipment or methods affiliated with special operations force in conducting SAR operations.

Old Malay Kingdom and Sultanate

The concept of 'Elite Forces' is not new to Malaysia. Malaysia has used variations of elite forces since the Kingdom of Singapura (1299–1398) and the Malacca Sultanate (1400–1511).^[3] During the Malacca Sultanate, the Hulubalangs were the elite forces of the sultanate. Some were tasked with guarding the Sultan and served as a right-hand men for the Bendahara ('Chief Minister') and Laksamana ('Admiral'). Hulubalang was a high ranking Pendekar ('Warrior'). After the fall of Malacca Sultanate, the term of Hulubalang was used to designate elite warriors of the other Malay sultanates and warlords.^[4] In Aceh Sultanate, under Sultan Iskandar Muda (1583–1636), a new nobility, Uleëbalang was established for warlords. The Uleëbalang was given lands (feudal tenure) and rights to rule by the Sultan.

The Hulubalang is equivalent to the Knight, while the Uleëbalang in Aceh Sultanate is equivalent to Baron.

World War II

Two Force 136 operatives, Tan Chong Tee and Lim Bo Seng, during their training in India with the SOE. Both of them along with other Force 136 operatives were later dispatched via submarine to Malaya to set up an espionage network in Malaya and Singapore.

Malaysia began using modern special forces during World War II. Fighting unconventionally behind enemy lines against Japanese Imperial Forces, the Force 136 was a multinational guerrilla unit under Britain's Special Operations Executive (SOE). Tasked to perform unconventional warfare in Southeast Asia, some of the Force 136 were inserted into Malaya via parachute and submarine, and established local Force 136 forces – the Force 136 (Malaya).^[5][6][7][8] The Force 136 actively fighting the Japanese occupation in Malaya from 1941 to 1945.^[9]

Malayan Emergency

The surrendering of Japanese Imperial Force left a vacuum of power in Malaya. The British were still recovering from WWII and their focus was more towards domestic affairs. This allowed the Malaya to be available for their WWII allies, the Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) and the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), to take the seat of power and form a Communist state. CPM terrorised Malaya by eliminating anyone they considered to be Japanese collaborators, and fighting against Malayan British Military Administration (BMA) by attacking police stations, government properties and civilians.^[8] Counter measures were taken by the BMA after three British planters were killed by the CPM. MPAJA was a part of Force 136 (Malaya) during WWII, so they utilised the guerrilla tactics and training they had experienced to fight the BMA. After two years of fighting, the BMA realised that conventional forces are not effective in fighting with MPAJA, so the elite unconventional special forces were established.^[10][11]

Ferret Force

On 6 July 1948, Colonel John Davis, the former Force 136 commander, was entrusted to establish a special jungle-guerrilla force for anti-insurgent operations – The Ferret Forces.^[8] Two patrols from Malay Regiment, two patrols from Gurkha Regiment and a headquarters group made up the pioneer forces. The Ferret Force later expanded and police unit and Europeans with special operations experience, including Colonel Richard Broome; a Force 136 veteran, was added into the forces.^[7]

Malayan Scouts

After the conditions worsen, General Sir John Harding, commander-in-chief of the Far East Land Forces began looking for the experienced officer in Jungle Warfare. Major Mike Calvert, a veteran of the Chindits (a British India special force during World War II), volunteered to assess the situation in Malaya. He later was given a permission to set up a special force to operate in the deep jungle. He named the special force to Malayan Scouts.^[12] The success of the Malayan Scouts in Malayan Emergency campaign made British Government to absorb the forces into the regular British military. Malayan Scout is later known as 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (22 SAS) after 1958.^[11] The Malayan Scouts is considered as the forefather of modern Malaysian Special Forces.

Special Branch

Special Branch (SB) is an intelligence unit of Malayan Police. Initially established as a successor to the British's Malayan Security Service (MSS), the SB is tasked to become a special intelligence unit during Malayan Emergency, under the recommendation of Major Mike Calvert of the Malayan Scouts. The SB is responsible for providing intelligence to other special forces via secret agents planted inside the CPM and MPAJA.^[13]

Sarawak Rangers

The Sarawak Rangers have existed since 1862 during the reign of White Rajah in Sarawak, North Borneo. Originally a police force for the White Rajahs, the unit was disbanded in 1930s because of the economy factors and later reactivated in 1946 to fought the Japanese during World War II. The history between the Sarawak Rangers and Borneoan British Military Administration (BMA) begins after the Brits employed the Sarawak Rangers as trackers for British Civil Liaison Corps in August 1948 for six months. Captivated with their skills and abilities, Malayan British Military Administration start recruited the Iban people into one independent fighting element attached to the Malayan BMA in the Malay Peninsular. This new Sarawak Rangers were selected, trained and equipped by the Malayan Scouts (SAS). The strength of this unit grew to 200 men by the end of the Malayan Emergency.^[14]

Senoi Praaq

General Gerald Templer, the High Commissioner of Malaya, proposed a second SAS Squadron to the war office in London for the Malayan Emergency jungle warfare effort. The proposal was rejected and this led General Templar to form a small experimental unit composed of Orang Asli ('Aboriginal people of Malay Peninsular') to help the existing SAS Squadron in 1956. Named as Senoi Praak (English spelling is Senoi Praaq), or 'War People' in Semai Language, the SAS start trains the Aboriginal people; who also jungle expert, in military tactics. The Senoi Praaq was given with Commando status and attached to the Malayan Scouts (SAS) as the SAS Auxiliary Force.^[15]

Senoi Praaq is a brainchild of Colonel R.O.D. Noone, an intelligence officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence and also a member of British Military Administration in Malaya. The military forces always employed jungle experts from Orang Asli and Sarawak Rangers as a tracker for all military operations, and this led Colonel Noone to draft a proposal to organise all the Orang Asli trackers in one special unit similar to the Sarawak Rangers. After the proposal was approved by General Templer, Colonel Noone was made Senoi Praaq first commander.^[15][16] The effectiveness of Senoi Praaq in jungle warfare made the unit and Colonel Noone was loaned for a year under request of the President of South Vietnam to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to establish the Montagnard Scouts for Vietnam War. Noone and the Senoi Praaq were put under the CIA Mountain Scout Program (MSP).^[17] The Montagnard Scouts was attached to the U.S. Army Special Forces, MACV-SOG and the Long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP; predecessor to the 75th Ranger Regiment).

Post Independence, Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and Second Malayan Emergency

As a new nation, Federation of Malaya is heavily relied to the Commonwealth of Nations for military assistance. The Malayan Emergency is reaching its end and Malayan Armed Forces begin to expand its strength. In 1963, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore join the federation, thus Malaysia was formed. This unity displeased Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia and also pro-communist, and he accused Malaysia is a new form of colonisation by the British. Sukarno launch a military campaign towards Malaysia and the Commonwealth nations quickly offers military assistance to Malaysia. The confrontation by the Indonesia lasts from January 1962 to August 1966. From here, the Malaysian government realised the needs of specially trained elite forces in the military arsenals. Malaysian Special Service Unit (MSSU; now known as Grup Gerak Khas – GGK) was established during the confrontation. After the confrontation, second emergency occurs, thus more elite units was established to meet the demands.^[18]

National Special Operations Forces

Also known as NSOF, this task force was established in October 2016 as a response to ISIS and terror threats throughout the Southeast Asia region. In 2016, ISIS threats were happening in Malaysia neighbouring countries – Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. To stop the threats from coming to Malaysia, a small but effective special operations forces with intelligence and counter-terrorism (CT) capabilities was formed. NSOF is based in Fort Perdana, Kuala Lumpur and only answers to the top government executive – i.e. Prime Minister. NSOF Commander will directly report to the Jawatankuasa Perancang Gerakan Kebangsaan (JPGK; 'National Movement Planning Committee') which consist of the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Police. JPGK will report directly to the Prime Minister.

NSOF is the most elite unit in Malaysia as NSOF recruits its members from the top national CT unit – Unit Lawan Keganasan (ULK; 'Counter Terrorism Unit') of 11 RGK (Grup Gerak Khas), Maritime Counter Terrorism (MCT) teams of PASKAL, Flight Hostage Rescue Team (FHRT) of PASKAU, Counter Terrorist Team (CTT) of VAT 69 Commando and CT team equivalent for STAR and Special Actions Unit. Special operations operators are needed to undergo 6 months of training before begin his job at the NSOF. The first batch of operators selected to join the NSOF are needed to serve with the NSOF for three years. Future batches will be serving with NSOF minimum two years for each batch.

NSOF is equivalent to the Russian FSB Alpha Group, U.S. Army Delta Forces and U.S. Navy Seal Team Six.

Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team

Internationally known as SMART Team, this team is a INSARAG certified Heavy USAR and disaster relief task force. SMART Team is based in Puchong, Selangor and similar to NSOF, this Special Rescue Unit only answers to the top government executives. SMART can be deployed everywhere in the world under the order of the Prime Minister. SMART has been involved in various missions within the country and overseas. SMART only recruits its member from Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Police and Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia.

Trained to operate on various types of terrains, SMART can be deployed alone as a team or deployed together with other Commando-trained teams such as GGK, PASKAU and 69 Commando, Special Forces Equivalent Units such as Tiger Platoon and Special Rescue Units such as STORM and SPIDER Team.

Malaysian Army

There are two Elite Forces units in Malaysian Army. One is a special forces while the other one is an airborne forces. There are several Special Forces Equivalent Units.

10th Parachute Brigade

Main article: 10th Parachute Brigade (Malaysia)

Paratroopers from 10 Para preparing to march for the 59th Merdeka Day parade

Established in 1994, 10th Parachute Brigade is a result of Malaysia inability to give military assistance to the Maldives when they being attacked by Tamil mercenaries in 1988. Maldives has requested for military assistance, from nearby friendly nations, including Malaysia, however, Malaysia unable to help as they are lacking of rapid deployment force. 10th Parachute Brigade, also known as 10 Para, was established using the British Army Parachute Regiment blueprint.

10 Para is an airborne and rapid deployment force – not a special forces unit – and its members can be recognised with theirs maroon beret. 10th Parachute Brigade is equivalent to the British Army 16 Air Assault Brigade and U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division.

Pandura Company

Main article: Pathfinder Company (Malaysia)

Pandura is an abbreviation for Malay word Pandu Udara which can be translated to English word 'Pathfinder'. Pandura Company is a Pathfinder and Special Force Equivalent Unit of the 10th Parachute Brigade (10 Para). As an elite within an elite, Pandura Company only selected its members from the 10 Para. During an operation involving of parachute insertion, the Pandura members will be deployed days or weeks ahead before the main forces. They will provide reconnaissance, intelligence, drop zones (DZ) and helicopter landing sites (HLS) to the main forces. They also been tasked as forward observer for the artillery component in 10 Para and have the capability to call and correct artillery, aircraft and naval gun fire.

Pandura Company is equivalent to the British Army Pathfinder Platoon.

Royal Malaysian Navy

Diver unit from PASKAL arms with Heckler & Koch G36C tactical carbine preparing to march for the 57th Merdeka Day Parade.

There is one Elite Forces and one Special Forces Equivalent Unit in the Royal Malaysian Navy:

Royal Malaysian Air Force

There is one Elite Forces and one Close Protection Unit in the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

PASKAU

Main article: PASKAU

Operators from PASKAU on march during the 60th Merdeka Day parade.

Pasukan Khas TUDM (PASKAU; 'RMAF Special Forces') is a special force of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). Established on 1 April 1980 as Air and Ground Defence Force (Malay: Pasukan Pertahanan Darat dan Udara – HANDAU) as a response to Malayan Communist Party mortar attack at Kuala Lumpur RMAF Airbase and resulting of one aircraft lightly damaged in 1974 and 1979.^[30] A cadre of RMAF airmen was sent to PLPK (now PULPAK) to receive Commando training and forming the first HANDAU squadron, 102 HANDAU Squadron, in the 1980.^[31] HANDAU squadrons were placed under one command/headquarters – RMAF Security Regiment Headquarters (now known as RMAF Regiment since 1993). Initially tasked as an elite security force to RMAF airbases, on 1 June 1993, HANDAU Squadrons was renamed to RMAF Provost Squadrons and two special operations elements was added to the regiment. In 1996, the special operations elements were organised into one combat force – Pasukan Khas Udara (PKU; 'Air Special Forces'). The PKU strength and capabilities were included with counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare and combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions.^[30] In 1999, RMAF Provost was separated from the RMAF Regiment and in 2002, PKU was renamed to the current name, Pasukan Khas TUDM (PASKAU).

The member of PASKAU can be identified with light blue beret with red cap badge backings and light blue lanyard. PASKAU is equivalent to U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Squadrons.

Special Actions Unit

Operators from Special Actions Unit and 69 Commando Battalion of Police SOCOM posing for group photo before the 60th Merdeka Day parade

Special Actions Unit, or popularly known by UTK which it is an acronym for its local name – Unit Tindakhas, is a special force and Police Tactical Unit of RMP. UTK is the oldest and most experienced counter-terrorism unit in the Malaysia. Established on 1 January 1975, UTK is specially trained for counter-terrorism mission in urban areas and also to provide 24 hours close protection to high ranking government executives and their spouse (Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers, former Prime Minister etc.). UTK also tasked to provide firepower aspect to the CIDs. During its early establishment, UTK was specially trained by the British Army 22nd Special Air Service (22 SAS) for urban combat. The relationship between the UTK and SAS are shown at the UTK's insignia. UTK only recruit its members from 'Blue Uniformed Police Officers'. 'Blue Uniformed Police Officers' is a local terminology used to address the police officer who works with departments/branch other than the traffic police, water police and paramilitary.

UTK is the Detachment A in the RMP SOCOM and its member can be identified with its maroon beret. The maroon beret worn by UTK members has blueish shade (bordeaux colour) if compared to the maroon beret worn by the Malaysian Army 10 Para and the Senoi Praaq of the General Operations Force. UTK is equivalent to combination of German Federal Police GSG 9 and U.S. Secret Service.

69 Commando Battalion

69 Commando, or popularly known as Very Able Troops 69 (VAT 69), is a special force of RMP. Established in 1969, VAT 69 is initially an elite counter-insurgency force for RMP paramilitary force, the Police Field Forces (also known as Jungle Police Forces, now known as General Operations Force – GOF). Modelled after Special Air Service (SAS), a group of instructors from British SAS was sent to Fort Kemar, Perak in 1969 to supervise RMP commando course. 30 police officers passed the course thus forming nucleus team called the 'Jungle Squad 69'. The second and third batch of Jungle Squad 69 was trained by instructors from New Zealand Special Air Service. VAT 69 is actively involved in counter-insurgency operations during the Second Malayan Emergency. After the Second Malayan Emergency officially ends in 1990, VAT 69 roles was upgraded to include urban counter-terrorism, at the same time to support the Special Actions Unit (UTK) in counter-terrorism activities. In 1997, RMP SOCOM was established and both UTK and VAT 69 was placed under the SOCOM. Since then, the role of urban counter-terrorism for both UTK and VAT 69 was divided by states. 69 Commando only recruits its members from the GOF. Non-GOF policemen a.k.a. Blue Uniformed Police Officer can apply to join the commando forces, however, they are required to pass the GOF Course first.

VAT 69 is the Detachment B in the RMP SOCOM and its member can be identified with its sand-coloured beret similar to the beret worn by the British and New Zealand SAS. VAT 69 is equivalent to the Indian Central Armed Police Forces COBRA and Colombian National Police Jungla Commandos.

UNGERIN

UNGERIN frogmen posing with theirs Commanding Officer, ASP Nassim, in the year 2009

Marine Assault Team, popularly known by UNGERIN which it is an abbreviation of its local name – Unit Gempur Marin, is a Special Forces Equivalent Police Tactical Unit of RMP water police branch, the Marine Operations Force (MOF). Established in 2006, UNGERIN is a combat diver unit specially trained for littoral and riverine operations. UNGERIN roles including coastal reconnaissance, recovery and protect fishing vessels and fisherman villages, conducting maritime counter-terrorism and assisting Navy, Coast Guard and Customs for maritime related operations. UNGERIN also responsible for patrolling at ports, lakes, dams and islands alongside with regular MOF policemen. During its establishment, 30 frogmen from 69 Commando Boat Team was transferred to the MOF and forming RMP Combat Divers Unit. In 2008, the unit name was changed to the present name. Nowadays, UNGERIN only recruits its member from MOF. Candidates will be trained by instructors from 69 Commando Boat Team. UNGERIN operators also receive training from U.S. Navy SEALs and U.S. Coast Guard.

All UNGERIN frogmans don a light blue beret similar to regular MOF policemen. The only difference is the combat diver skill badge on their uniform. UNGERIN is equivalent to the NYPD Scuba Team.

Tiger Platoon

Tiger Platoon is a Special Forces Equivalent Police Tactical Unit of RMP General Operations Force (GOF). After 69 Commando has been moved from GOF to the RMP SOCOM, the commanders of GOF concluded that the GOF need another unit with capability similar to the 69 Commando. All five brigades of GOF are needed to train a special operations platoon for each brigade. The Tiger Platoon directly receives order from the GOF Brigade Commander. The Tiger Platoon roles include of conducting counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, Search and Rescue (SAR) and assisting the Police SOCOM operations. GOF Tiger Platoons will be assisted by operators from UTK and VAT 69 attached to the platoons in terms of training and technical aspects.^[34]

Tiger Platoon is the premier Police Tactical Unit for Sabah and Sarawak police contingent. This is because of both Sabah and Sarawak is far from UTK and Commando 69 headquarters. Tiger Platoon is equivalent to U.S. State Police SWAT and German State Police SEK.

D9 Serious Crime Unit

Serious Crime Unit, popularly known only as D9, is the Firearms Specialist team for Criminal Investigation Department (CID) D9 Branch (Special Investigation Division) of RMP.^[35] Established in 1970, D9 initially was formed to handle threats from Chinese triads. In the 80s, Malay and Indian organized crime syndicates began to grow, thus D9 was tasked with handling all high-risk operations against organised crime groups.^[36][37] D9 teams were spread to all state police contingent to assist contingent level CID.

D9 currently is not a Special Forces Equivalent Police Tactical Unit, however, they are better trained and equipped policemen than the conventional policemen. In 2014, three Special Forces Equivalent Police Tactical Units was established for the CID and Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division (NCID). The units are the Special Task Force On Organised Crime (STAFOC), Special Tactics and Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING) and Special Task Force for Anti-Vice, Gambling and Gangsterism (STAGG). Unlike D9, all three new units were trained by the Police SOCOM, and D9 was tasked to assist the STAFOC and STAGG operations.^[36] All three units later was dissolved in 2018, and D9 was expected to take over the duty left behind by the three units.

D9 is equivalent to London's Metropolitan Police Service Specialist firearms officer.

Senoi Praaq

Senoi Praaq officers during 55th Merdeka Day parade

Senoi Praaq (Semai Language for 'War People'. Malay spelling is Senoi Praak) is a paramilitary police unit that only recruits its member from Orang Asli. Senoi Praaq is attached to the RMP paramilitary force – the General Operations Force (GOF). The Senoi Praaq role is similar to the conventional GOF battalions, however, as jungle experts, Senoi Praaq also tasked with the Special Tracker role. Established in 1956 during the British Military Administration in Malaya, Senoi Praaq initially was a commando unit trained by the Malayan Scouts (precursor for the British Army 22 SAS) to assist them as an auxiliary force during the Malayan Emergency. After Malayan Emergency ends, Senoi Praaq was demoted from commando status to special paramilitary of Department of Aborigines (now known as Department of Orang Asli Development). In 1968, Senoi Praaq was attached under RMP GOF and made into GOF 3rd Battalion. Even no longer a Special Air Service Auxiliary Force, Senoi Praaq members still carry out their traditions by wearing the maroon beret (the then colour of the SAS beret before changed to the current sand-coloured beret) bestowed to them by the Malayan Scouts after finishing the commando training.

Special Task and Rescue

Special Task and Rescue Team, or known with its acronym STAR, is a special force of MMEA. All STAR operators are commando trained from the MAF Basic Commando Course, either from Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Commando School or Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Commando School. STAR operators are spread out to all Maritime Districts in Malaysia. Because of this, the STAR is given to Quick Reaction Force task for all piracy activities that happens within the MMZ. The task are shared with PASKAL of RMN and UNGERIN of Royal Malaysian Police Marine Operations Force.

Established in 2005, few of PASKAU and PASKAL operators are transferred to MMEA and forming the STAR nucleus team. The team is fully trained as heliborne anti-piracy force and can be deployed via helicopter and small boat. Its member can be identified with its scarlet red beret.

STAR is equivalent to U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) and Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT).

MMEA Rescue Swimmer

MMEA is the main government agency that responsible with managing Maritime Search And Rescue task in Malaysia.^[38] One Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) and five Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres (MRSC) are established to perform and coordinate search and rescue operations at sea in the area of the Malaysian Maritime Search and Rescue Region (MSSR).^[39] MMEA Rescue Swimmers are attached to the MRCC and MRSC and on stand-by for 24 hours. The specially trained swimmers are tasked to perform maritime search and rescue within the MMZ and can be deployed via air and sea. The task of carrying out air-sea rescue is shared together with PASKAU Maritime Para Rescue Team (MPRT).

MMEA Rescue Swimmer is equivalent to U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and U.S. Navy Rescue Swimmer.

FRDM Special Forces

STORM

Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia, or popularly known as STORM, is the most elite units in FRDM. Established in March 2011, STORM is a part of Malaysian Rapid Deployment Forces (Malay: Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat — PAC) similar to the Malaysian Army 10th Parachute Brigade but with different task and role. The overall winner of 2017 Singapore–Global Firefighters & Paramedic Challenge, STORM is the only unit in FRDM specially trained in Heavy USAR operations and Airplane and Helicopter crash operations.

Dubbed as Komando Bomba ('Firefighter Commando'), STORM is the hardest unit to enter if compared to other FRDM Special Forces, and most of its members are drawn from other FRDM Special Forces such as the Water Rescue Unit, EMRS, HAZMAT and MUST. Because of STORM is part of the Rapid Deployment Forces, the admittance course is arduous and almost if not on par with the basic commando course or rapid deployment course. STORM often work together with the federal government special rescue task force, SMART, and Malaysian Civil Defence Department's SPIDER Team.

MoSAR

Mountain Search and Rescue Team (Malay: Pasukan Bantuan Mencari dan Menyelamat Gunung), or known as MoSAR, is the elite unit of Auxiliary Firefighter Force (Malay: Pasukan Bomba Bantuan — PBB). Established on 23 June 2015, MoSAR only open its membership to the auxiliary firefighters with mountaineering experiences, and this team are on par with other FRDM Special Forces. The MoSAR nucleus team was formed with 20 auxiliary firefighters who also worked full time as Mount Kinabalu mountain guides. Currently only active in Sabah.

Swift Actions Troop

Swift Actions Troop, or popularly known by TTC which it is an acronym for its local name – Trup Tindakan Cepat, is the SWAT team of Malaysian Prison Department. Established on 3 October 2005, the first TTC batch received counter-terrorism training at Special Warfare Training Centre (PULPAK). Later batches received CT training from 69 Commando at Royal Malaysia Police General Operations Force Training Centre, Ulu Kinta. The TTC duties to include of transporting high risk inmates, extracting uncooperative prisoners from their cells, daily full cell searches and high-profile security, barricaded persons, riots, mass arrest, high risk/high-profile transport and hostage situations, as well as to assist Unit Kawalan Dan Pencegahan (Riot control unit of the Malaysian Prison Department) in crowd control.

TTC officers wore a scarlet red beret. TTC is equivalent to Russian Federal Penitentiary Service OSN Saturn and U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Operations Response Team.

Special Tactical Team

Special Tactical Team of Immigration Department (Malay: Pasukan Taktikal Khas Jabatan Imigresen), better known as PASTAK, is the SWAT team for the Immigration Department of Malaysia (IM). Established on 13 February 2018, PASTAK is the successor to Negeri Sembilan branch IM SWAT Unit, the Grup Taktikal Khas ('Special Tactical Group', EST. January 2014). PASTAK was entrusted by the IM to handling high-profile cases, raids and operations.^[40][41]

40 trainees were sent by IM to receive intensive training at General Operations Force Training Centre, Ulu Kinta. At there, trainees was trained with physical training and counter-terrorism possibly from 69 Commando instructors. The trainees were bestowed with dark brown PASTAK beret at the end of their training.^[40]

PASTAK is equivalent to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Response Teams.

Pasukan Tindakan Khas

Pasukan Tindakan Khas ('Special Actions Team'), better known with its acronym PTK, is the SWAT team in Road Transport Department Malaysia (Malay: Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan — JPJ).^[42] Established on 10 April 2016, the PTK primary role is to overcome threats from organized crime syndicates-related crimes that involving road transportation such as Luxury car theft, smuggling and cloning.^[43] Their primary role also to include of infiltrating organized theft rings as secret agents together with Royal Malaysia Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) D7 Branch (Gambling/Vice/Secret Societies).^[44][45] PTK secondary role is to provide a high speed car chase at highway.^[46]

PTK trainees received counter-terrorism training at General Operations Force Training Centre, Ulu Kinta.^[46]

COBRA

Customs Operational Battle Force Response Assault (Malay: Pasukan Tempur Operasi Medan Kastam), or popularly known with its acronym COBRA, is the SWAT team of the Royal Malaysian Customs. Established on 28 November 2016, the primary tasks for COBRA are to protect the customs raiding team from all kinds of threats and to busting high profile threats. COBRA trainees received counter-terrorism training at General Operations Force Training Centre, Ulu Kinta.

COBRA is equivalent to German Customs Service Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Special Response Teams.

Special Disaster and Emergency Response Team

Special Disaster and Emergency Response Team (Malay: Pasukan Khas APM), better known by its abbreviation SPIDER Team, is the Special Rescue Unit of the Malaysia Civil Defence Force. Established on 15 August 2008 as Pasukan Khas Pertahanan Awam (PASPA), the team was renamed to the current name on 1 August 2017.^[47]

The selection course last for 6 months and the trainees were trained by the SMART at SMART HQ, Puchong. The members wore blue beret.

JMF Elite Force

JMF Elite Force is the Special force of JMF, and it is tasked as the Immediate Reaction Force and to provide close protection for the Royal Family of Johor. Stationed at the heart of Johor Bahru city, the JMF Elite Forces also tasked with counter-terrorism operations to any incidents happened in or nearby the city. Established on 7 July 2008, a cadre of JMF soldiers was sent to received counter-terrorism training with the Malaysian Army Special forces, Grup Gerak Khas (GGK). In the present day, it is a compulsory for JMF soldiers to undergo the Basic Commando Course at Special Warfare Training Centre (PULPAK) before able to join the JMF Elite Forces.^[48] JMF Elite Forces follow the GGK traditions by wearing light blue lanyard that they received after graduating the Basic Commando Course at PULPAK.^[49][50]

F Team

The E3F squad, codenamed as F Team, was a small top secret intelligence unit of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) Special Branch (SB). Established in 1971 by Superintendent Leong Chee Woh (now Datuk), F Team main mission is to conduct Human Intelligence (HUMINT) from the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) for the SB and Royal Malaysian Police (RMP).^[51][52] Most of F Team secret agents were recruited from RMP Jungle Squad (now known as the General Operations Force) and few are recruited from surrendered soldiers from CPM. F Team sometimes involved in joint operations with the Malaysian Army commandos, theGrup Gerak Khas.^[53] The F Team has finally been dissolved in 1995.^[51] The F Team's existence was kept secret by the SB for more than 45 years, and only in 2016 the F Team was revealed to the public.^[54] The F Team's existence was announced because of its top secret nature, the F Team is unknown even to the top RMP Executives. This creates problems as there is no allowance and pension relocated to all its ex-members who are mostly already retired from the police forces, if not has passed away.^[55][56]

There is no information for the unit succeeding the F Team. F Team secret agents is equivalent to Secret Agents of Russian Internal Intelligence Agency, the Federal Security Service.

STAFOC

Special Task Force On Organised Crime (Malay: Pasukan Tugas Khas Melawan Jenayah Terancang), or known as STAFOC, was the Special Forces Equivalent Police Tactical Unit for RMP Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Established in January 2014 to make the CID more operations independence, thus make any information such as raids and operations are less likely to be leaked out by the organized crime syndicates informants. Despite of very successful unit as STAFOC and CID have taken down many cases and big crime syndicates. STAFOC finally being disbanded, together with STING and STAGG, in June 2018 after the change of government in the 2018 General Election.

STING

Special Tactics and Intelligence Narcotics Group (Malay: Pasukan Khas Taktikal dan Perisikan Narkotik), or known as STING, was the Special Forces Equivalent Police Tactical Unit for RMP Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division (NCID). Established in January 2014 with the same reason as STAFOC, however, only for the NCID. Disbanded in June 2018.

STAGG

Special Task Force for Anti-Vice, Gambling and Gangsterism (Malay: Pasukan Khas Anti Maksiat, Perjudian dan Gengsterisme), or known as STAGG, was the Special Forces Equivalent Police Tactical Unit for RMP CID D7 Branch (Gambling/Vice/Secret Societies). Established in December 2014 with the same reason as STAFOC, however, only for the CID's D7 Branch. Disbanded in June 2018.