Page 382 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

374 USEFUL INFORMATION
Malaysia is a Safe Country
Public security has been a priority in Malaysia ever since the 15th Century, when the Temenggong of Melaka (Malacca)
and his Hulubalang (royal warriors)
were responsible
for enforcing the Sultanate’s law. The first modern police force was formed in the British possessions of Penang in 1807, and state police forces were later established as British colonial influence expanded. Over in Borneo, Rajah James Brooke formed a Sarawak Police Force in 1858, while the North Borneo Armed Constabulary was formed in Sandakan (Sabah) in 1882.
The first centralized police force, the Civil Affairs Police Force,
The spacious Travers Police Station in Jalan Travers, Brickfields, allows for safe and comfortable distancing while providing prompt and efficient personal service.
was formed in Malaya in
1946, following the end of the Japanese occupation, and
was granted a Royal Charter upon independence in 1958. With the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the Royal Federation of Malayan Police, the North Borneo Armed Constabulary and the Sarawak Constabulary were merged to form the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) or Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM).
The Inspector-General of
Police (IGP) is head of the RMP, reporting to the Minister of Home Affairs. He is based
at RMP headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, and
is assisted by the Deputy Inspector-General and ten Commissioners of Police heading ten departments – namely Management, Logistics & Technology, Criminal Investigation, Narcotics
Crime Investigation, Internal Security and Public Order, Special Branch, Commercial Crime Investigation,
Traffic Enforcement and Investigation, Crime Prevention and Community Safety, and Integrity and Standards Compliance.
State level police contingents are headed by a Chief Police Officer, except for Sabah
and Sarawak, who each have
a Commissioner of Police. Each state comprises several police districts, each headed by an Officer in Charge of
A team from the Royal Malaysia Police K9 Unit demonstrating advanced working skills at the Police Training Centre (PULAPOL), Kuala Lumpur.