Royal Malaysia Police
The Royal Malaysia Police (often abbreviated RMP) (), is a (primarily) uniformed federal police force in Malaysia. The force is a centralised organisation. Its headquarters are located at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. The police force is led by an Inspector-General of Police (IGP) who, , is Abdul Hamid Bador.

The constitution, control, employment, recruitment, funding, discipline, duties and powers of the police force are specified and governed by the Police Act 1967. In carrying out its responsibilities, the regular RMP is also assisted by a support group of Extra Police Constables, Police Volunteer Reserves, Auxiliary Police, Police Cadets and a civilian service element.

The RMP constantly co-operates closely with police forces worldwide, including from those six neighbouring countries Malaysia shares a border with: Indonesian National Police, Philippine National Police, Royal Brunei Police Force, Royal Thai Police, Singapore Police Force and Vietnam People's Public Security.

History

A police force has been in existence in Malaysia since the days of the Malacca Sultanate. Malacca's canonical law created what was essentially a police force in Malaysia in the fifteenth century, through the institution of the Temenggung and Hulubalang, or royal warriors. During the Sultan of Malacca's absence, the Bendahara, or Prime Minister, held absolute authority, with the power to hand out sentences, but it was the Temenggung who acted as the Police Chief or Inspector General of Police. His tasks were to arrest criminals, build jails and implement sentences. Apart from the Temenggung, there were a number of Penghulu or village chiefs who had the duty of policing their respective villages. Their main tasks included tax collection, law enforcement and preserving village security. These Malacca police systems ended when, on 10 August 1511, a Portuguese fleet led by Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Malacca for the Portuguese crown. Police duties were then largely performed by the Portuguese soldiers.

During the sixteenth century, Malaysia became a cosmopolitan society and the Portuguese government introduced the Kapitan administration. On 14 January 1641, however, the Portuguese lost Malacca to the Dutch Empire, when the Dutch invaded with the help of soldiers from Johor state, at a time when the Portuguese were at war with the Sultanate of Acheh. The Dutch retained the Kapitan system, but when the growing number of Europeans in Malaysia made change necessary, a police force known as the 'Burgher Guard' was established. The Burgher Guard was controlled by the Dutch, but their subordinates were made up of the local citizens. Village leaders continued to assume the duties of policemen under Dutch rule, as they had since before the Portuguese arrived.

Following the assimilation of Malacca into the British Empire in 1795, a modern police organisation in Malaysia was formed, on 25 March 1807, after the Charter of Justice in Penang was granted. Most of the officers were of British origin. Later, this organisation was developed in the Straits Settlements and other Malay states, particularly the Federated Malay States. At that time, independent police forces were established for each respective state. Only after World War II was a central police organisation formed, known as the Civil Affairs Police Force. This organisation was formed in Malaya and led by a British colonial, H.B. Longworthy, who had to stabilise the police forces after the anarchy of Japanese occupation. One of the immediate problems faced by the police at this time was the rebellion of the communist party. During the confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia, which lasted from 1963 to 1965, the police force, along with military forces, fought against the infiltration of Indonesian forces into the states of Johor and Sabah.

Almost a year after Independence Day, on 24 July 1958, the King of Malaysia, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhamad, bestowed the title Royal to the Malayan Federations Police Force. In 1963, the Royal Federation of Malayan Police (RFMP), the North Borneo Armed Constabulary and the Sarawak Constabulary were merged to form the Royal Malaysia Police. The Singapore Police Force became a component unit of the RMP until Singapore's independence in 1965.

Insignia

The flag and insignia of the Royal Malaysia Police has a blue coloured background which symbolises the Malaysian masses. In the centre of the flag is the PDRM symbol coloured silver or white. The police symbol is made up of an intersected Kris and Ilang / Klewang machete. Above the PDRM symbol, there is a tiger head in a garland of Paddy flowers, with a scroll underneath bearing the name Polis Diraja Malaysia. Arabic lettering in the Crown includes the words Allah on the right and Muhammad on the left.

Moon and star
The Moon and Star symbolise Islam as the official religion of Malaysia.

Crown
The crown, depicted on the Royal Malaysia Police insignia, is a panegyric reference to the King of Malaysia, bestowing the "Royal" title to its name. The words Allah and Muhammad in Arabic, which respectively symbolise Allah the Almighty and Muhammad as the Messenger, signifies Islam as the official religion and faith of RMP personnel, who are willing to uphold justice and the security of the people of Malaysia.

Kris and the Ilang sword
The Kris is an important symbol of the Malay Peninsular. This particular weapon was used by Malay warriors in the past. According to Frey (2003), who concluded from Sir Stamford Raffles' (1817) study of the Candi Sukuh, the kris came into existence around AD 1361. Others believe that early forms were inspired by the daggers of the Dong-Son in Vietnam (circa 300 BC). In the temples of Borobudur (825 CE) and Prambanan (850CE), renderings of the Kris have been found.

The traditional machete, Ilang or Klewang symbolises the states of Sarawak and Sabah in East Malaysia and it represents the spirit of heroism of a multitude of ethnic tribes such as the Dayak, Dusun, Bajau and Kadazan.

Tiger head
The tiger head symbolises courage, strength and spirits of RMP. Previously, RMP used a lion head as the symbol of courage from 16 September 1963, after the formation of Malaysia, until 15 May 1994, when it was replaced with the tiger head by an official order of Malaysian government. The former lion head also symbolised the states of Singapore (until 1965) and Sabah.

Paddy flower
Paddy flower is a reference to paddy and rice, the staple food for Malaysians and it signifies national prosperity.

Motto
The RMP motto represents team spirit and determination.

Sang Saka Biru
The PDRM flag is called the Blue Perennial or Sang Saka Biru; each colour has its own distinctive meaning and the flag symbolises the force's pride and integrity.

Police pledge
Section 3 (3) Police Act 1967 stipulates that the duties of the Royal Malaysia Police personnel are as follows:

  Apprehending all persons whom he is by law authorised to apprehend;
  Processing security intelligence;
  Conducting prosecutions;
  Giving assistance in the carrying out of any law relating to revenue, excise, sanitation, quarantine, immigration and registration;
  Giving assistance in the preservation of order in the ports, harbours and airports of Malaysia, and in enforcing maritime and port regulations;
  Executing summonses, subpoenas, warrants, commitments and other process lawfully issued by any competent authority;
  Exhibiting information;
  Protecting unclaimed and lost property and finding the owners thereof;
  Seizing stray animals and placing them in a public pound;
  Giving assistance in the protection of life and property;
  Protecting public property from loss or injury;
  Attending the criminal courts and, if specially ordered, the civil courts, and keeping order therein; and
  Escorting and guarding prisoners and other persons in the custody of the police.

Modern day

RMP organisational structure 
Apart from the two departments involved in the administration: Management Department and Logistics Department, the RMP have six departments involved in crime prevention: Criminal Investigation Division, Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division, Internal Security and Public Order Department, Special Branch, Commercial Crime Investigation Department and Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department. All departments are led by the directors with the rank of Commissioner of Police (Army Equivalent rank of Three Stars General or Lieutenant-General).

Police heads

Staff departments 

Lower ranks of police officers apart from Sub-Inspectors wear their rank insignia on the right sleeve of their uniforms. Sub-Inspectors and higher ranks wear their rank insignia on epaulettes on both shoulders.

Inspectors-General of Police

Firearms

1M4 Carbine; replacing M16 rifles, the future standard issue rifles supplied by SME Ordnance

² Royal Malaysia Police has been acquired with new sub machine gun next generation from CZ Company from Czech Republic. The New CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1 9mm caliber is the latest generation Scorpion Sub Machine gun as part new market from Eastern Europe and it will replace the existing MP5.<<https://www.defaiya.com/news/International%20News/Asia/2014/04/23/cz-to-supply-400-submachine-guns-to-malaysian-police/>>

Major cases and incidents

Sulu militants intrusion in Sabah

Following the Sulu militants intrusion, a military standoff commenced on 11 February 2013 and ended after conflict about 24 March 2013. 235 militants, most of whom were armed, arrived by boat in Lahad Datu district from Philippines territory and occupied the village of Tanduo. They were sent by Jamalul Kiram III, a claimant to the throne of the Sultanate of Sulu. His stated goal was to assert the Philippine territorial claim to eastern Sabah as part of the North Borneo dispute. In response, Malaysian security forces surrounded the village. Attempts by the Malaysian and the Philippine governments to reach a peaceful solution with Kiram's supporters were unsuccessful and the standoff escalated into an armed conflict on 1 March 2013. At the end of the standoff, around 56 militants were killed along with six civilians and 10 Malaysian security forces (of which eight were Malaysian police members). The rest of the militants were either captured or escaped back to the Philippines.

Shooting of Aminulrasyid Amzah
A schoolboy, Aminulrasyid Amzah, was shot dead by police after allegedly trying to escape from a car accident which he was involved in. Aminulrasyid was driving his sister's car without a valid driver's licence after midnight on 3 May 2010, together with his friend, Azamuddin, who was the passenger. He had been trying to flee a number of motorcyclists who were chasing both boys after their vehicle had sideswiped a car earlier that night. After Aminulrasyid was shot, his friend Azamuddin was assaulted and beaten by the police but managed to escape. The IGP and the police have made many statements to the press saying that Aminulrasyid was trying to ram a police roadblock as well as carrying a weapon in the car. Azamuddin and Aminulrasyid's family has refuted many of the police claims. Many members of the public and the opposing politicians have criticised the police's response, alluding to the fact that the police are trying to cover up the incident and fabricate evidence. The boy's family has rejected calls for an inquest into the shooting because they did not believe they would receive a fair and transparent investigation, especially from the police. Instead, they have called on the government to establish a royal commission of inquiry to investigate Aminulrasyid's death. A special eight-member panel has been formed to scrutinise the investigation of the shooting; however, opposing politicians and the boy's family have derided the formation of the panel as a publicity stunt by the government. On 24 March 2016, the High Court in Selangor awarded more than MYR400,000 in damages to the family of the victim to alleviate their pain and suffering.

Recapture of Mas Selamat Kastari
The escaped terrorist, Mas Selamat Kastari, who escaped detention in Singapore in 2008, was nabbed by Bukit Aman and Johore Police while he was asleep in a secluded village house in Skudai,  northwest of Johor Bahru, Johore. He found a traditional kampung house on stilts in Kampung Tawakal, a tiny village with a population of less than 100. Located about 10 km away from the North-South Expressway near the Kempas exit, it is almost impossible to locate for those not familiar with the area. The Singaporean terrorist, who captured world attention when he escaped from the republic's maximum security Whitley Detention Centre in February last year, could barely put up a fight in his shorts and T-shirt when caught during a dawn raid in April. At 6 am, about 30 armed policemen surrounded the kampung house and ordered Mas Selamat to come out. Police broke through two doors and rushed in when he refused to surrender. He was arrested together with two others, Abdul Matin and Johar Hassan, by a PGK and police Special Branch officers following intelligence sharing with the police forces of Indonesia and Singapore. Police also seized documents and other paraphernalia that allegedly revealed their planned operation. This report was later confirmed by both the Singapore and Malaysian governments, with the date of capture given as 1 April 2009.

The Home Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan at Putrajaya confirmed Mas Selamat was arrested and detained under the Internal Security Act. Hishammuddin declined to give details since the case is sensitive as it involves intelligence agencies of Singapore and Indonesia, as well as Malaysia. Musa said the arrest was made possible as police in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia had been sharing intelligence reports over the past year. It is learnt that Special Branch officers had been working on various leads since March and upon confirming his whereabouts planned the dawn raid that resulted in his arrest.

Arrest of Nur Misuari
Nur Misuari who is the main leader and founder of one of the breakaway faction in the Philippines was arrested on 23 November 2001 together with six of his followers in Jampiras Island off Sabah after intruding past the Malaysian border illegally. Misuari is wanted in the Philippines for leading a failed rebellion against the Philippine government, which he was later extradited to the Philippine authorities in December 2001 to face legal action in his country although Malaysia and the Philippines have no extradition treaty.

Al-Mau'nah Arms Heist
In the early morning on 2 July 2000, 21 members of the militant group visited the outpost and camp of Bn 304 Rejimen Askar Wataniah under the guise of a surprise inspection and confiscated the soldiers' weapons and carted the weapons away from the armoury. They took away a huge cache of firearms and ammunition, including 97 M16 assault rifles, four GPMGs, five grenade launchers, 9,095 rounds of 5.56 mm and 60 rounds of 40 mm ammunition. The group was later cornered in the village of Sauk, Perak and involved in a stand-off with the Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysian Police forces. The Malaysian Special Forces threw a containment cordon around Bukit Jenalik. Tpr Matthew anak Medan from 21 Commando was murdered by this militant group and was awarded Pahlawan Gagah Berani. The leader and militant group surrendered to the Malaysian Special Forces and later they were handed over to the police.

The Al-Mau'nah group later surrendered, and the leaders were brought to trial for "waging war upon the King". Mohamed Amin Mohamed Razali and his group were brought to trial for charges of "waging war against the King" and became the first group of people convicted of such charges in Malaysia. Mohamed Amin Mohamed Razali and his two lieutenants, Zahit Muslim and Jamaluddin Darus, were sentenced to death. Sixteen others were given life sentences. Police Detective Korporal Sanghadevan was murdered during the incident. Asisten Superintendan Polis Abdul Razak Mohd. Yusof was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa for his role in resolving the stand-off.

Memali Incident

The Memali Incident occurred in the remote village of Memali, Baling in the state of Kedah on 19 November 1985. A task force of 200 policemen under orders from the Acting Prime Minister and Home Minister Musa Hitam, laid siege to kampung (village) houses in Memali. The houses were occupied by an Islamic sect of about 400 people led by Ibrahim Mahmud a.k.a. Ibrahim Libya.

Bukit Kepong Incident

The Bukit Kepong Incident was an armed encounter which took place on 23 February 1950 between the police and the Malayan Communists during pre-independence Malaya. This conflict took place in an area surrounding the Bukit Kepong police station in Bukit Kepong, a wooden station located on the banks of the Muar River, about 59 km from Muar town, Johor.

Police Headquarters/Formation

Police Contingent
 Bukit Aman Royal Malaysia Police Headquarter, Kuala Lumpur 
 Johor Contingent Police Headquarters, Johor 
 Kedah Contingent Police Headquarters, Kedah
 Kelantan Contingent Police Headquarters, Kelantan
 Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur 
 Melaka Contingent Police Headquarters, Melaka
 Negeri Sembilan Contingent Police Headquarters, Negeri Sembilan
 Pahang Contingent Police Headquarters, Pahang
 Perak Contingent Police Headquarters, Perak
 Perlis Contingent Police Headquarters, Perlis
 Pulau Pinang Contingent Police Headquarters, Pulau Pinang
 Sabah Contingent Police Headquarters, Sabah
 Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters, Sarawak
 Selangor Contingent Police Headquarters, Selangor
 Terengganu Contingent Police Headquarters, Terengganu

Marine Police Force
 Northern Region Marine Police Base, Batu Uban, Pulau Pinang
 East Region Marine Police Base, Kuantan, Pahang
 Southern Region Marine Police Base, Johor Bahru, Johor
 Sabah Region Marine Police Base, Sandakan, Sabah
 Sarawak Region Marine Police Base, Kuching, Sarawak
 Putrajaya Marine Police Base, Putrajaya

General Operation Force (GOF)
 Northern Region GOF Base
 Centre Region GOF Base
 South East Region GOF Base
 Sabah Region GOF Base
 Sarawak Region GOF Base

Air Police Force
 Peninsular Malaysia Region Air Police Base
 Sabah Region Air Police Base
 Sarawak Region Air Police Base

Commando Police Force
 69 Commando Police Base
 Special Action Unit Police Base

Federal Reserve Unit (Anti Riot Police Force)
 1st Federal Reserve Unit Base
 2nd Federal Reserve Unit Base
 3rd Federal Reserve Unit Base
 4th Federal Reserve Unit Base
 5th Federal Reserve Unit Base
 6th Federal Reserve Unit Base
 7th Federal Reserve Unit Base
 Women Federal Reserve Unit Base
 Horseman Federal Reserve Unit Base

Police Volunteer Reserve

Royal Malaysia Police in popular culture

Books
 Malaya's Secret Police 1945–60: The Role of the Special Branch in the Malayan Emergency, 2008—the history of Malaysian Special Branch, written by former Special Branch officer, and a widely acknowledged expert on counter-insurgency, Leon Comber.
 The Struggle For Malaysian Independence, 2007—the history of Malaysian police force, written by former senior police officer, Dato' Seri J.J. Raj.
 Polis Wanita Sejarah Bergambar 1955–2007, 2007 – the history of Malaysian policewomen, written by Chief Inspector Selamat Bin Sainayune.
 Smashing Terrorism in the Malayan Emergency: The Vital Contribution of the Police, 2004 – Written by Brian Stewart, a former officer of Malayan Civil Service (MCS).
 Inspektor Junid Di Medan Jenayah, 1987 – detective and mystery stories, written by Jalil Abd. Rahman, produced by Fajar Bakti
 "Death Waits in the Dark"  – Greenwood Press, 2001
 The Jungle Beat – Fighting Terrorists in Malaya – the history of Malayan police during fighting against communisme, written by former Federation of Malay State Police officers, Roy Follows.

Television
 Debu-Debu Kota (City Dusts) – Malay drama created and produced by Dato' Yusof Haslam
 Skuad Khas (Special Squad) – Malay drama created and produced by Dato' Yusof Haslam
 Gerak Khas – Malay drama created and produced by Dato' Yusof Haslam
 Roda-Roda Kuala Lumpur (Wheels of Kuala Lumpur) – Malay drama created and produced by Dato' Yusof Haslam
 CID 3278 – Malay drama produced by Rosyam Nor.
 Tragedi (Tragedy) – Malay drama broadcast on TV3
 VAT 69 - Warisan Darah Perwira – Malay documentary created by Jins Shamsuddin. Featured on ASTRO RIA.
 Metro Skuad – Malay drama created and produced by Dato' Yusof Haslam
 Pasukan Gerakan Marin – Marine Police Force drama starring Ashraf Muslim, Linda Hashim (S1 and S2), Sharnaaz Ahmad and Mardiana Alwi
 Kerambit – crime drama starring by Eman Manan and Zul Huzaimy on TV2
 Undercover – Chinese drama featured in NTV7 staring by Adrian Tan

Films
 Bukit Kepong – Malay film starring Jins Shamsuddin
 Bayangan Maut – Malay film starring Dato' Yusof Haslam
 Police Story 3 – Hong Kong Cantonese film starring Jackie Chan
 Entrapment – Hollywood film starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones
 Don - The Chase Begins Again – Bollywood film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Shaharudin Thamby (Malaysian actors)
 The Viral Factor – Hong Kong action thriller films stars Jay Chou and Nicholas Tse
 Polis Evo – Malay film starring Shaheizy Sam and Zizan Razak
 Kabali – Tamil film starring Rajinikanth
 J Revolusi – Malay film starring Zul Ariffin and Izara Aishah Hisham
 Iru Mugan – Tamil film starring Vikram
 KL Special Force – Malay film starring Dato Rosyam Nor and Fattah Amin
 Sindiket – Malay film starring Sharnaaz Ahmad, Daphne Iking and Dato Jalaluddin Hassan 
Polis Evo 2-Malay action film starring Shaheizy Sam and Zizan Razak

Documentaries
999 (Malaysian TV series),a based from Cops (TV program) who first aired in 2002OPS Maritim (OPS Maritime),about operation by Marine Police and other

Daily life
 Highway patrol
 Private properties – Uniformed police officers on duty are likely to hint property owner to "obey the law" to receive "protection" by police.

VCD/DVD
 Jungle Green Khaki Brown – A TV3 and Nickelodeon Books co-production DVD documentary chronicling exclusive and historical footage from the archives of the British Malayan Library in United Kingdom and the Filem Negara Malaysia in conjunction of the 50th Independence Day in 2007.

Complaints Commission
Non-governmental organisations continued to press the government to create an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). In 2005 a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the police had recommended a wide range of reforms, including the establishment of an IPCMC by May 2006. Draft legislation to establish an IPCMC remained under consideration by the Attorney General at the end of the year. A range of other reform recommendations, including repeal or review of laws allowing for detention without trial or requiring police permits for public assemblies, were not implemented.