VAT 69/UTK
| VAT 69/UTK | |
|---|---|
| Active | October, 1969 - VAT 69 1975 - UTK |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Branch | Royal Malaysian Police (underdirect to Pasukan Gerakan Khas) |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Domestic Counter-Terrorism, Commando, Guerilla/ Anti Guerilla, Law Enforcement |
| Size | Classified |
| Part of | Internal and Public Security (Malay:Keselamatan Dalam Negeri / Ketenteraman - KDN/KA) |
| Garrison/HQ | Bukit Aman Police HQ, Kuala Lumpur Northern Brigade Ulu Kinta, Perak |
| Nickname(s) | PGK Detachment A - UTK PGK Detachment B - VAT 69 |
| Motto(s) | Warisan Darah Perwira (English : Heritage of the Blood of Heroes) |
| Colors | Maroon/Sand Coloured (Beret and Flags) |
| Engagements | Communist Insurgency Anti Piracy |
VAT 69/UTK (69th Commando Battalion/Unit Tindakan Khas) is the special forces of the Royal Malaysian Police based with the Northern Brigade, Ulu Kinta, Perak. This unit is under the direct order of Northern Brigade Commander and responsible to the Internal Security/Civil Security (KDN/KA) Director.
History
VAT 69
VAT 69 is modelled on the United Kingdom Special Air Service Regiment for fighting the Malayan Communist Party in 1969. VAT 69, formed in 1969 (hence the name - 69) was formed as a small combat unit to counter the tactics and techniques of the communist terrorists. It was began when the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, The Honorable Allahyarham (late) Tun Dr. Ismail proposed the formation of a special force for fighting the communist insurgency in 1969. In October 1969, 60 men from 1600 officers and men of the Jungle Squad applied for VAT 69 training and qualified themselves for basic commando training. A group of instructors from United Kingdom Special Air Service Regiment were sent to Fort Kemar, Perak to supervised the inaugural 69th Commando. Only 30 men managed to pass and they actually formed the nucleus troop of 69th Commando Battalion. In the 1970s, VAT 69 started its initial operations and successfully deployed against the communist threat. As a result, a significant number of communist terrorists were neutralized and large amounts of weapons and equipment were seized. In 1977, 3 new squadrons were raised and trained by the New Zealand SAS and a special course was also conducted to train their own instructors. This expansion programme was completed in 1980 and VAT 69 had fully equipped units with its own logistics department.
UTK
Unit Tindakan Khas (UTK) or Special Action Unit is a secondary special forces of the RMP after VAT 69. This unit had a SWAT like function and operate mostly in plainclothe created after the Japanese Red Army (Nihon Sekigun) hostage incident of August 1975 when the terrorists held approximately 50 civilians including members of the US consulate and the Swedish charge d'affaires as hostages within the AIA building housing several embassies in Kuala Lumpur. The terrorist won the release of five imprisoned comrades and flew with them to Libya. Similarly, the UTK were also trained by the SAS but they operate in a very different tactical atmosphere as compared by US Capitol Police SWAT units. In the selection phase, only 20 from more than a hundred police applicants are selected annually. UTK were also involved with the Gerup Gerak Khas (Malaysian Army Special Forces) to manage security in the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Merger
On 20 October 1997, the Royal Malaysian Police reorganised VAT 69 and UTK and merged them into one unit as Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK) (Special Operations Force), launched by Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Muhammad and Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Norian Mai. Although amalgamated into one directorate, they are essentially still two separate entities operating in two distinct operational environments.
Training
Basic commando training of VAT 69 are divided into three phase.
- First Phase
- Trainees will spend most of their time mastering patrol techniques.
- Second Phase
- In this phase, all trainees will learn skills and lessons such as tracking, communication, field medical and explosive. This also involves making booby traps, explosives and various demolition techniques.
- Third Phase
- Final movement test where the trainees are tested in all aspects of skills and lessons that they had learned. At the moment, special attention are given to trainees who show leadership potential.
Missions
Both VAT 69/UTK have very good records but keep a very low profile, especially the UTK. They are used against pirates who terrorize the coastal towns of Sabah, an East Malaysian state, VAT 69 performed so well these pirate attacks had almost ceased completely. One of the Philippine MNLF organizations, Rizal Aleh escaped from Philippine and hide the village of Sabah and start the terrorize the state with piracy tactics. When VAT 69 sent again to Sabah to infiltrate him, Rizal and many comrades were arrested and sent back to the Philippine Government.
Weaponry and Equipment
VAT 69/UTK are equipped with arms and equipment just like SAS, SWAT, US Navy SEALs. There's the list of weaponry and equipment used by VAT69/UTK.
- Pistols/Sidearms: Beretta M92FS (no longer in service), Browning HP Mk.III, Colt M1911A1 (no longer in service), Glock 19, HK P9S, Sig Sauer P226, Steyr M9 Compact, Vektor SP1
- Shotguns: Remington 870, Remington 1100, Winchester M12
- Submachineguns:, HK MP5 (many different variants)
- Assault Rifles: Colt M4A1, Colt M16A1
- Sniper Rifles: Accuracy International PM
- Machineguns: M60A1
- Grenades: High Explosive Grenade, Flashbang, Smoke Grenade
- Supported Equipments: night vision, Laser Guided, Tactical Vest
The American Colt M1911A1 used by British, Malay Regiments and Federation Malay State Police officers (now Royal Malaysian Police) after World War II and Malayan Emergencies. Beretta M92FS is used by VAT 69, UTK and Royal Malay Regiment (Malay:Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja, RAMD) in 1970s to fighting the communist guerillas. When the Malaysian Government introduced the new modern firearms such as Glock, Sig Sauer and Steyr to replaced it on 1980s, both Beretta and Colt sidearms will ended the services but only 1% police officers used that guns, especially from C.I.D (Criminal Investigation Department) and Armory Departments.
Insignia
- Motto
- Warisan Darah Perwira (English : Heritage of the blood of Heroes')
- Black
- Black symbolizes the highly secretive nature of VAT 69 operations.
- Red
- Red symbolizes bravery.
- Yellow
- Yellow symbolizes "Loyalty to King and Country" (Malay: Taat Setia kepada Raja dan Negara).
- Javelin
- Lembing, another traditional weapon used by Malay warriors.
- 2 pieces of the curved Kerambit dagger.
- Arranged to form the numbers 69, signifying stealth and efficiency.