No GOF personnel involved in IS activities: Muhammad Sabtu

IPOH: Proactive measures have been put in place to ensure the General Operations Force (GOF), the light infantry arm of the Royal Malaysia Police, are not influenced by the militant groups or their activities.
Bukti Aman Internal Security and Public Order department director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sabtu Osman said thus far they have not found any GOF personnel involved in the IS activities or influenced by its ideology.
However, he added, the officers have been directed to keep close watch on the GOF personnel and monitor their movements and activities.
"We have also roped in Special Branch officers and spiritual speakers to talk to them," he told reporters after his first working visit to North Brigade General
Operation Force in Hulu Kinta here today.
"While we provide them with the necessary exposures and information including handling of explosives, we also ensure they do not misuse their knowledge and skills," he added.
Sabtu also said the GOF Battalion 3 and Battalion 18 in Bidor and Pengkalan Hulu respectively are in the process of recruiting Orang Asli to fill 200 vacancies in the two camps.
The two battalions have some 1,000 Orang Asli as they are good jungle trackers and their skills are vital for the police force operations.
"Many of them who are the frontliners had lost their lives during the emergency period.. we cannot forget them," he added.
He said the force will invite their widows as a mark of appreciation when the VAT 69 commando unit hold their anniversary celebrations on October 23.
The unit formed in 1969 was entrusted to counter the tactics and techniques of communist terrorists.
On the bomb scare in Bangsar yesterday, he advised people not to leave their bags unattended as this could create unnecessary fear.
"We are aware of criminals abandoning such items but the public must avoid such acts. Every case highlighted to us is thoroughly investigated," he said, adding the social media should also be responsible not to play up the issue without checking with the police.
Police found the unattended bag filled with clothes at an intersection of Jalan Terasek 8 and Jalan Telawi.