PUTRAJAYA: The internal conflict taking place in the Road Transport Department will not affect the activities and programmes of its Special Action Squad, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
He said the elite squad, formed last year, is still an important unit for the department.
“We still need them (the elite squad) to address various syndicate activities especially those with criminal elements.
“For regular RTD officers, they would face some difficulties in handling such issues because they are not armed,” he said when met at the ministry today.
Last Friday, it was reported that the RTD’s elite squad operations had been temporarily suspended after three of its members came under investigation for breaking into the RTD director-general's office at Presint 4 on July 13.
To a question, Liow said he had yet to be informed of the suspension of the elite squad operations.
He added that the special squad members, who had been issued firearms licences, had managed to solve several cases involving ‘tontos’ (thugs). The team is now being mobilised to probe issues involving re-treaded tyres.
“As they are armed, the squad is capable of dealing with criminals while enforcing the law. We will continue to enhance the special squad; there is no issue of suspending it," said Liow.