KUALA LUMPUR: The police will expand its Special Actions Unit (UTK) and Very Able Troopers (VAT 69) to further combat crime and threats in the country.
Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the matter had received approval from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"The paper work for the purpose has been sent to the central agency and is now under the consideration of the Chief Secretary to the Government.
"Currently, both UTK and VAT 69 have only 400 personnel and we are seeking to increase the number within the next two to three years," he told reporters after attending the 211th Police Day celebration held at Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre (Pulapol).
He said the police force was also considering beefing up its Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) especially in Sabah and Sarawak in the next few years.
In another development, Fuzi said the police were forced to rent vehicles such as sports utility vehicle (SUVs) to further enhance security during the 14th General Election.
"Currently, 90 per cent of the vehicle are over 10 years old and need to be replaced. The government is aware of this and I hope the replacement can be done as soon as possible," he said.
Earlier in his speech during the celebration, Fuzi said a total of 389 people, suspected to be involved in terrorism-related activities, were arrested since 2013. It included the six Malaysians and a Filipino who were arrested in operations conducted between Feb 27 and March 15.
"The six Malaysians were arrested recently for their attempt to attack non-Muslims houses of worship as well as to abduct and kill policemen.
"(While) the Filipino national was wanted by the Philippines authority for being involved in kidnapping for ransom and murder attempts."
He said all the arrests resulted from security intelligence and close monitoring.
Fuzi also said the police had managed to maintain its excellence with the reduction of crime index by 13,186 cases or 11.7 per cent last year.
"Violent crimes had dropped by 960 cases or 4.3 per cent while property crimes by 12,226 cases or 13.6 per cent."
He said for this year, from Jan 1 until March 15, the crime index had shown a decrease by 9.7 per cent, violent crimes by 16.2 per cent and property crimes by 7.9 per cent.
"Nevertheless, the fear of crime still occurs among the public. Therefore, the police will double its efforts by holding more community programmes with the public."
Present at the event were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis; Deputy IGP Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim; and former IGP Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar. — Report by MOHD FAUZI ABDULLAH, TASNIM LOKMAN, NOR AIN MOHAMED RADHI and NUR LELA ZULKIPLI