Malaysia police investigate an attack scene (Photo: AFP/VNA) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - The Royal Malaysia Police is considering the establishment of a new federal counter-terrorism department to enhance the forces’ ability to fight terrorism, reported the New Straits Times on July 7.
The new department will be have 500 personnel, more than double the 200 officers who are drawn from various state forces by the existing special branch counter-terrorism division.
These officers will investigate terror financing, carry out rehabilitation, monitor threats and the players involved and engage the community to prevent radicalism.
According to the NST, the new department is part of a recently announced major reshuffle at the police force ahead of the next general election due by August next year and the upcoming SEA Games.
The new counter-terrorism department will be helmed by a second deputy inspector-general of police (IGP), a newly-created post.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Home Minister, said there is a need to have two deputy IGPs but that the government would only make an announcement on the second deputy IGP after a meeting by the police commission.
The Royal Malaysia Police currently has nine departments and an equivalent unit called Special Branch which is leading the counter-terrorism force.-VNA
