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The Pasukan Khas Laut (''Naval Special Warfare Forces,'' Jawi: ), commonly abbreviated to PASKAL, is the principal special operations force of the
Royal Malaysian Navy The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN, ms, Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia; TLDM; Jawi: ) is the naval arm of the Malaysian Armed Forces. RMN is the main agency responsible for the country's maritime surveillance and defense operations. RMN's area of o ...
. PASKAL's task is to conduct small-unit maritime military operations that originate from, and return to a river, ocean, swamp, delta or coastline. PASKAL also performs unconventional warfare,
guerrilla warfare Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare in which small groups of combatants, such as paramilitary personnel, armed civilians, or Irregular military, irregulars, use military tactics including ambushes, sabotage, Raid (military), raids ...
, counter-guerrilla warfare, jungle warfare, counter-terrorism, close protection, hostage rescue and
foreign internal defence Foreign internal defense (FID) is a term used by the military in several countries, including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, to describe an integrated, and possibly multi-country, approach to combating actual or threatened i ...
. Although PASKAL was created as a maritime counter-terrorism unit, it has become a multi-functional special operations unit with roles that include high-risk operations including
direct action Direct action originated as a political activist term for economic and political acts in which the actors use their power (e.g. economic or physical) to directly reach certain goals of interest, in contrast to those actions that appeal to oth ...
, special reconnaissance operations and other specialised missions. PASKAL is an all-male force that was officially established on 1 October 1982, after a five-year setup period, with the purpose of enforcing Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone maritime claims through sea, air and land operations. PASKAL personnel routinely serve and train with allied SOFs including the Australian SASR, Indonesian Kopassus and Denjaka, Singaporean Naval Diving Unit, Thai Navy SEALs, US Green Beret and US Navy SEALs.


History

The PASKAL was founded unofficially in 1977. It was originally known as the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Naval Commando Unit based in Woodlands, Singapore; which was formerly known as HMS ''PELANDOK'' at Khatib Camp, Sembawang, Singapore. This unit is under the RMN Security Regiment Organisation () which now known as the Navy Provos (; Protela). PASKAL has its origins in a perceived need for a security regiment trained in modern maritime operations. The unit's main purpose was the protection of Malaysia's naval bases and national assets. (At that time, the Royal Malaysian Navy; RMN main base was known as KD Malaya ''(Kapal Diraja Malaya;'' ''His Majesty's Ship Malaya''), formerly known as ''HMS Malaya'' before independence, in Woodlands, Singapore, which was later transferred to the new naval base in Lumut,
Perak Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
when it was completed in 1979. The Security Regiment is largely composed of sailors responsible for the security of strategic sites such as bases and ammunition depots. When the main naval base at Lumut became available PASKAL headquarters was established there in 1981.


Initial training

Following the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Malaysia was among the first nations to claim the right to extend its maritime borders beyond the previous 12 (nautical) mile limit. The new unit originally it's received basic training at the Special Warfare Training Centre, Sungai Udang,
Malacca Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
by the Grup Gerak Khas. In 1977, the first batch of trainees was split into two groups. The first group was sent to the Indonesian Marine Corps' Jungle Commando (; Kohut) Course at Combat Training Centre (), Selogiri, Banyuwangi, Indonesia. While the second group consisting of 30 officers, led by Captain
Sutarji Kasmin Sutarji bin Haji Kasmin (born 5 November 1951) is a Malaysian entrepreneur and former navy special forces commander. He is a retired Royal Malaysian Navy with the last rank ''Laksamana Pertama'' or Commodore. Sutarji is well known and famous fo ...
(now Admiral, retired), was sent to the Marine Training Centre ( id, Pusat Pendidikan Marinir; Pusdikmar), Kota Pahlawan,
Surabaya Surabaya ( jv, ꦱꦸꦫꦧꦪ or jv, ꦯꦹꦫꦨꦪ; ; ) is the capital city of the Provinces of Indonesia, Indonesian province of East Java and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. L ...
, Indonesia to receive commando and jungle training delivered by Indonesian Navy KOPASKA. On their return the cadre were referred to as Navy Commandos. To enhance and diversify their skill sets, the unit also trained in Portsmouth, United Kingdom with Royal Marines Commandos, Special Boat Service,
Special Air Service The Special Air Service (SAS) is a special forces unit of the British Army. It was founded as a regiment in 1941 by David Stirling and in 1950, it was reconstituted as a corps. The unit specialises in a number of roles including counter-terro ...
and to California by US Navy SEALs. A few of the unit's members, including, Lieutenant Ismail Safaie, Lt Dya Masri Muhammad and PO Mohammad b Razak travelled on to Coronado, California and
Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Incorporated in 1705, it had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia Be ...
to receive Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training by the US Navy SEALs.


Exclusive economic zone

In April 1980, Malaysia declared that its EEZ reached up to 200
nautical mile A nautical mile is a unit of length used in air, marine, and space navigation, and for the definition of territorial waters. Historically, it was defined as the meridian arc length corresponding to one minute ( of a degree) of latitude. Today ...
s from the coast as provided by the UNCLOS. This decision affected development plan as a naval fleet is directly responsible for controlling and protecting its national waters and has made Malaysia a maritime littoral nation of some 598,450 square kilometres (approximately 231,060 square miles) including some four and a half thousand kilometres of coastline and over a thousand islands. On 1 October 1982, PASKAL was officially established as the instrument used to enforce the Malaysian EEZ. In an effort to strengthen its claim over the Spratly Islands Waters (subject to overlapping claims by multiple countries) the
National Security Council A national security council (NSC) is usually an executive branch governmental body responsible for coordinating policy on national security issues and advising chief executives on matters related to national security. An NSC is often headed by a na ...
of Malaysia mandated PASKAL as Maritime Counter-Terrorism operatives in 1991.


Panglima Hitam

On 15 April 2009, PASKAL Team Command (PTC) was officially named KD Panglima Hitam in a ceremony held at the Royal Malaysian Navy HQ in Lumut, Perak by the King of Malaysia, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin to honour PASKAL's service. KD Panglima Hitam translates into English as ''HMS Black Knight,'' inspired by His Majesty Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al Haj ibni Al Marhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al Haj as an honorary Navy Captain. A total of 34 names of sultans and 56 common names have been proposed to the RMN and were chosen: ''KD Panglima Hitam, KD Halilintar and the KD Maharaja Lela''. ''Panglima Hitam'' is a traditional title awarded to proven warriors during the era of the various Malay Sultanates in
Perak Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
, Selangor and Johore referring to a warrior skilled in fighting tactics. The symbolism of Panglima Hitam's history and myth remains emblematic, representing strength, military prowess and strategic sense.


Examples


Taiping, Perak

During his passage with his seven brothers in Makassar, Sulawesi, Daeng Kuning settled in Kuala Larut while his brothers continued to other destinations in the Malay Archipelago. Throughout his life he wore black clothes and was more skilled in self-defense than his siblings.


Kuala Selangor, Selangor

He was bodyguard to Sultan Ibrahim, the second Sultan of Selangor and Sultan Muhammad, the third Sultan of Selangor. His body was buried beside the tombs of the kings at Malawati Hill. Before his death, he was strictly enjoined that he was buried outside the royal tomb.


Jugra, Selangor

A bodyguard during the reign of the late Sultan Abdul Samad, the fourth Sultan of Selangor. By oral stories from the elders, his true name is Daeng Ali and his tomb is located at Royal Mausoleum in Jugra.


Muar, Johore

His true name is Baginda Zahiruddin and he is from Padang Pariaman Minangkabau, Sumatera Island, Indonesia. He is the founder of Silat Lintau in Indonesia and came to Malaya in the 16th centuries. He worked with local people to eradicate and eliminate the piracy in the estuary of Sungai Muar.


Segamat, Johore

He was the military leader responsible for defeating rebel groups during the Jementah War, which occurred in the area of Segamat. His tomb is located at Jementah in Segamat, Johor.


National Special Operations Force

In 2016, the main counter-terrorism operators in Malaysia were formed into one special operations task force. Few operators from PASKAL are selected to be part of the National Special Operations Force.


Roles and responsibilities

One of PASKAL's main roles is to launch offensive operations independently via sea, land and air in enemy-controlled areas. PASKAL operatives are trained to conduct maritime operations such as anti-piracy, ship and oil rig hijacking. The security of more than thirty offshore oil rigs in Malaysian waters are PASKAL's responsibility. The unit holds regular training exercises on each rig. Other PASKAL roles include securing beachheads, deep penetration reconnaissance raids, structure and underwater demolition and sabotage. PASKAL also handles in-harbour underwater sabotage, ship-boarding assault, Counter-Terrorist missions (CT), infiltration behind enemy lines and mine-clearing. Special joint training with army special units is conducted regularly on specialised skills like HALO and
HAHO High-altitude military parachuting, or military free fall (MFF), is a method of delivering military personnel, military equipment, and other military supplies from a transport aircraft at a high altitude via free-fall parachute insertion. Two ...
overwater and overland parachute jumps. PASKAL detachments are stationed on sensitive Malaysian offshore stations, particularly on the Layang-Layang atoll, while other detachments are permanently staged on RMN ships.


Selection and training

PASKAL personnel are required to be mentally and physically agile. Every new trainee undergoes three months of the Basic Commando Course at the RMN's Lumut Naval Base. Applicants must be younger than 30 years old and healthy. They must complete and pass the Basic Commando Course before attending the Special Warfare Training Centre (SWTC; PULPAK) in Sungai Udang, Malacca to undergo basic parachute training. Next is the Advanced First Class training where they receive training in fields such as medic, communications, explosives and electrical–mechanical repair. They must pass a physical test every three months. Assignment to PASKAL is conditional on passing the PASKAL Physical Screening Test (PST). Prospective trainees are expected to exceed the minimums. Among other activities the PST consists of: * 7.8 km running in 24 minutes (below 24 years of age) * 1.5 km swimming in not more than 25 minutes (in a swimming pool) * 6.4 km swimming in open sea with full mission load – under 120 minutes * Day–night skydiving at high elevation spots i.e. hills, buildings and on ocean surface * Freestyle swimming for 1.5 km under 31 minutes * Surviving in water with hands and feet fully tied up (drown-proofing) * Diving without breathing apparatus for a minimum of 7 m in depth


Basic recruitment

* Pre-selection/warm-up * Basic PASKAL commando * Diving endurance * Basic sky-diving


Career development

* First class enrolment * Underwater combat manoeuvre * Leading rate enrolment * Petty officer enrolment * Diving/underwater combat superior Members of PASKAL conduct training with Allied nation counter-terrorism units such as the
Australian SAS The Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR though commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army. Formed in 1957, it was modelled on the Special Air Service, British SAS sharing the motto, "Who ...
, British SAS, US Navy SEALs, US Navy EOD, Australian Submarine Escape, Australian Clearance Diver, US Marine Corps
Special Operations Training Group The Special Operations Training Group, or SOTG, is a training section of the United States Marine Corps providing Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) commanders with training facilities and a liaison for Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU). The SOTG pr ...
, etc. On 26 August 1991, the
National Security Council A national security council (NSC) is usually an executive branch governmental body responsible for coordinating policy on national security issues and advising chief executives on matters related to national security. An NSC is often headed by a na ...
declared PASKAL as Malaysia's main counter-terrorist tasked for oil/gas rigs and
merchant ships A merchant ship, merchant vessel, trading vessel, or merchantman is a watercraft that transports cargo or carries passengers for hire. This is in contrast to pleasure craft, which are used for personal recreation, and naval ships, which are us ...
security. It forms one of the elements in the Quick Reaction Force (QRF).


Expertise–specialist course

;Insertion Techniques * High-altitude military parachuting: Tactical, high altitude free-fall parachute insertion, employed in covert insertion into enemy territory. * Special patrol insertion/extraction: Ability to rapidly insert and/or extract a reconnaissance patrol or assault team from enemy terrain; conduct SPIE rig of personnel from combat zone. ;Combat Techniques All PASKAL recruits receive special training and are operationally qualified to perform special operational duties. The training consists of: * Combat tracking: Direct action missions in jungle terrain, employing guerilla tactics, night combat and dynamic
counter-insurgency Counterinsurgency (COIN) is "the totality of actions aimed at defeating irregular forces". The Oxford English Dictionary defines counterinsurgency as any "military or political action taken against the activities of guerrillas or revolutionar ...
techniques. * Pathfinding/Jungle survival: Ability to handle insertion to set up and operate drop zones, pick-up zones and helicopter landing sites for airborne operations, air resupply operations, or other air operations in support of the ground unit commander. Survival skills to handle emergencies, especially in tropical forest and beachheads. * Unarmed combat: A mixture of Malay Silat and Korean Taekwondo martial arts as the main hand-to-hand combat techniques to take down the enemy at very close range. * Close quarters combat: Tactical direct action missions, as well as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations or destruction of offshore gas, and oil platforms, employing close quarter battle combat and dynamic assault tactics and techniques. *
Sniper A sniper is a military/paramilitary marksman who engages targets from positions of concealment or at distances exceeding the target's detection capabilities. Snipers generally have specialized training and are equipped with high-precision r ...
/ Counter-sniper tactics: Direct or counter sniper in urban warfare terrain, or reconnoiter jungle warfare, reduce the enemy's fighting ability by striking at high-value targets and pinning down and demoralising the enemy, as well as provide covering fire for Malaysian or designated friendly forces from enemy attacks, as well as enemy snipers. * Explosive ordnance disposal: Ability to defuse or detonate explosive materials, such as time bombs, unexploded ordnance (UXO), naval mines, etc. *
Combat search and rescue Combat search and rescue (CSAR) are search and rescue operations that are carried out during war that are within or near combat zones. A CSAR mission may be carried out by a task force of helicopters, ground-attack aircraft, aerial refuelin ...
: Conduct search and rescue during war or peacekeeping missions that are within or near combat zones. * Military operations on urbanized terrain: Conduct military operations in a built-up area. * Combat medic specialist: Specialised medic for providing first aid and front line trauma care. * Foreign language: Use of foreign languages to communicate with allied forces, etc. ;Intelligence Gathering Besides combat and insertion skills, PASKAL units are able to gather intelligence to provide guidance to commanders in support of their decisions. Intelligence capabilities include: * Counterintelligence: Tactical counter-intelligence to prevent hostile/enemy intelligence organisations from successfully gathering and collecting intelligence. *
Signals intelligence Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is intelligence-gathering by interception of ''signals'', whether communications between people (communications intelligence—abbreviated to COMINT) or from electronic signals not directly used in communication ( ...
– SIGINT: Tactical SIGINT, limited ground-based Electronic Warfare and communications security monitoring and analysis in direct support. This is accomplished by employing organic collection and direction finding equipment as well as through connectivity to national and theatre SIGINT/EW assets. * C4-I (communications, command, control, co-ordination, intelligence) Systems Implementations: Tactical C4-I techniques to provide intelligence to command centre. The objective is a thorough understanding of mutual command and control procedures, capabilities, and limitations developed through continual participation in joint and combined exercises. * Special reconnaissance: Reconnaissance behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detection by the enemy. * Long-range reconnaissance patrol: Use of four to six-man teams on reconnaissance and combat patrols, either obtaining intelligence, or performing raids and ambushes. PASKAL tactics and organisation are heavily influenced by the British Special Boat Service (SBS) and the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL Team Six – DEVGRU). PASKAL usually trains with GGK as well as US Navy SEALs, Indonesian Navy KOPASKA and the SBS.


Teams and structure


Naval Special Operations Unit

The manpower details of this unit are highly classified and it is believed to be a regiment divided into two operation regiments tasked to support PASKAL operations. Specialist tactical teams of PASKAL consist – KD PANGLIMA HITAM, PASKAL Unit Satu (PASKAL – Unit 1) based in the Lumut Naval Base in
Perak Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
on Peninsular Malaysia, and PASKAL Unit Dua (PASKAL – Unit 2) based at KD SRI SEMPORNA, a Naval Base in Semporna, Sabah. A company-strength (''detachment'') is based at Teluk Sepanggar Naval Base near Kota Kinabalu, Sabah with each naval base having a regiment sized unit to support PASKAL operations in jungle warfare, amphibious assaults, ship boarding (VBSS) and defending military ports.


Structure

PASKAL organises itself operationally into squadrons of at least four companies (or platoons) each. Each company is in turn organised roughly along the lines of the US Green Berets' structure of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta Squadron. The smallest PASKAL unit is the Boat Troop, with seven men. Each PASKAL company consists of: ;Alpha Squadron :The Versatile Special Operations Force, mainly trained for Maritime Counter-terrorism and other rescue operations into cargo vessels and oil rigs as well as urban terrain. This platoon is equipped with individual covering systems for close quarters combat. ;Bravo Squadron :An oxygen combat diving team and a special air operations team, both of which allow quiet infiltration of enemy territory. This squad is also trained to collect intelligence data to help the assault squad. ;Charlie Squadron :An auxiliary team with the role of strengthening special operations capacity from behind enemy lines. ;Delta Squadron :The conventional warfare team that dominated the amphibious warfare of PASKAL teams with special operation skills on the ground and sniping. Each squadron contains a mixture of specialists that is adjusted for the specifics of the mission or area where it is tasked to operate. Each squadron normally carries a Combat Intelligence Team ( ms, Tim Risik Gempur, TRG), trained in maritime tactical intelligence, counter-intelligence and psychological operations.


Identities

;Reddish purple (magenta) coloured beret :The magenta beret reflects PASKAL's identity and its close relationship with the Indonesian Marine Corps. ;Navy blue lanyard :The navy blue lanyard reflects the Royal Malaysian Navy and possibly reflects their founding trainers, the British Royal Marines Commando. ;Camouflage :The PASKAL camouflage uniform is identical to that worn by US Navy SEALs. It reflects the close relationship with this US Special Forces unit from which PASKAL receives training. ;Trimedia :The "Trimedia" is PASKAL's main emblem which is worn by every PASKAL operatives. The "Trimedia" term comes from the combination of the English word "''Tri''" which means "Three" and Malay word "''Media''" which means "Medium". In other words, Trimedia means the ability of operating in three mediums; Land, Air (Parachute) and Underwater. :The various components symbolises: :* Wing – the traditional symbol for airborne capability :* Jet Fin & Diving Mask Emblem – symbolises underwater infiltration capability :* Combat Dagger – symbolises ground warfare capability :* Anchor – the symbol for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). ;PASKAL shoulder tab :PASKAL operatives wear shoulder tab embroidered with "PASKAL" on the right shoulder sleeve. The shoulder tabs are synonymous with elite forces in Malaysian Armed Force.


Equipment

The weaponry and equipment inventory is a confidential subject. PASKAL teams use equipment designed for a variety of specialist situations including close quarters combat (CQC), urban warfare, hostile maritime interdiction ( VBSS/GOPLATS), long range target interdiction, jungle warfare and special reconnaissance. Nevertheless, amid rumours of financing from the consortium of oil and shipping companies in addition to ample financing from the navy, PASKAL's inventory currently includes some of the world's most advanced and sophisticated equipment. Voluntary contributions from the oil consortium and shipping companies ensures that PASKAL has sufficient means to procure specialised weapons and equipment including heavy body armour, ballistic shields, entry tools, tactical vehicles, advanced night vision optics, and motion detectors that are much more modern and sophisticated in comparison to the other special forces units in the Malaysian armed forces. All the weaponry and equipment was acquired under the Offensive Underwater Weapons program implemented under the 9th Malaysian Plans.


Uniforms

PASKAL personnel wear similar utility uniforms to the tactical uniforms worn by the military. Many armed forces diverged from the original standard black or blue uniforms, and PASKAL uniforms now include US Woodland camouflage patterns identical to that worn by SEALs. Originally PASKAL units were equipped with balaclavas and M40 Field Protective Mask, or even PRO-TEC fiberglass baseball helmets. Modern PASKAL units commonly use the lightweight FAST helmets. Fire retardant balaclavas are often used to protect the face, as well as to protect the identity of team members. Ballistic vests, sometimes including rigid plate inserts, are standard issue.


Helmets


Night-vision devices


Accessories


Thermal imaging common modules


Various ground tactical


Weaponry

PASKAL teams employ a variety of weapons, the most common weapons include shotguns, submachine guns, assault rifles, machineguns, sniper rifles and grenade launchers. Currently, they operates an American and German-made weaponry, but in the Langkawi Airshow ( LIMA 2015) maritime warfare, they used Heckler & Koch weapons, including the HK UMP45 submachine gun, HK416, G36 and a lightweight XM8 assault rifle. Pictures taken during national day parades including RMN anniversaries as well as LIMA and from local defence magazines indicate the use of the following:


Bladed weapons


Sidearms


Shotgun A shotgun (also known as a scattergun, or historically as a fowling piece) is a long gun, long-barreled firearm designed to shoot a straight-walled cartridge (firearms), cartridge known as a shotshell, which usually discharges numerous small p ...
s


Submachine gun A submachine gun (SMG) is a magazine-fed, automatic carbine designed to fire handgun cartridges. The term "submachine gun" was coined by John T. Thompson, the inventor of the Thompson submachine gun, to describe its design concept as an autom ...
s


Tactical rifles and Carbines


Anti-materiel rifles


Designated marksman rifles


Sniper rifle A sniper rifle is a high-precision, long-range rifle. Requirements include accuracy, reliability, mobility, concealment and optics for anti-personnel, anti-materiel and surveillance uses of the military sniper. The modern sniper rifle is a por ...
s


Machine guns


Hand grenade A grenade is an explosive weapon typically thrown by hand (also called hand grenade), but can also refer to a shell (explosive projectile) shot from the muzzle of a rifle (as a rifle grenade) or a grenade launcher. A modern hand grenade genera ...
s


Grenade launcher A grenade launcher is a weapon that fires a specially-designed large-caliber projectile, often with an explosive, smoke or gas warhead. Today, the term generally refers to a class of dedicated firearms firing unitary grenade cartridges. The mos ...
s


Others


Vehicles

PASKAL utilises specialised delivery craft – among others, PASKAL employs high speed inflatable/collapsible
subskimmer The Subskimmer is a Diver Propulsion Vehicle which is a form of RIB (inflatable boat) with an outboard petrol (gasoline) engine. It is equipped to inflate and deflate itself as it runs. When submerged it seals its engine and runs with battery-e ...
s (also known as UDV – Underwater Delivery Vehicle or Diver Propulsion Device - DPD), for infiltrations into hostile areas. The acquisition of two submarines which are jointly being built by
DCNS DCNS may refer to: * Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Australia) * Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (India) * Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan) * Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (United Kingdom), Royal Navy * Naval Group Naval Group is a ma ...
, France and Navantia, Spain (KD ''Tunku Abdul Rahman'' commissioning January 2009, KD ''Tun Razak'' commissioning October 2008) is expected to further add PASKAL's capabilities and range.


Commanding officers


Notable PASKAL members

* Commodore Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haji
Sutarji Kasmin Sutarji bin Haji Kasmin (born 5 November 1951) is a Malaysian entrepreneur and former navy special forces commander. He is a retired Royal Malaysian Navy with the last rank ''Laksamana Pertama'' or Commodore. Sutarji is well known and famous fo ...
(now Admiral, retired) — first commanding officer of PASKAL, considered godfather of PASKAL * Vice Admiral Dato' Haji Nasaruddin Bin Othman (retired) — second commanding officer of PASKAL, replacing First Admiral Dr. Haji Sutarji Kasmin * First Admiral Dato'Hj Saifudin Bin Kamarudin * FA Dato'Hj Jamaludin Bin Mohd Saman (Retired) * Captain Hj Ismail Bin Safaii (late) * Capt Hj Abd Malek Bin Hj Mohd Daud RMN * First Admiral (Retired)
Anuar Alias Dato' Anuar bin Haji Alias, , is a former senior Royal Malaysian Navy officer, special forces frogman, and national hero in Malaysia. He is the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) sole recipient of the Star of the Commander of Valour ( — PGB), Malays ...
— recipient of ''
Panglima Gagah Berani The Star of the Commander of Valour ( ms, Panglima Gagah Berani) is a medal awarded by the Malaysian government. The award was established on 29 July 1960, and it was formally gazetted by an act of parliament on 11 August 1960. It is Malaysia's ...
'' medal * Commander George Paul Thomas Rozario * Lieutenant Commander Che Adnan Bin Mat Isa (Retired, now Maritime Captain of MMEA) * Lieutenant Commander Fadzir bin Talib TLDM (late) * Lieutenant Commander (Honorary) 806879 Ahmad Ramli Bin Kardi — recipient of ''Ahli Mangku Negara'' and ''Ahli Mahkota Perak'' medal. One of the first Malaysian to perform free-fall parachute jump at North Pole and South Pole. * Lieutenant Commander Samrus Bin Che Dan (died 18 June 2012) *
Master Chief Petty Officer U.S. Coast Guardmaster chief petty officercollar device U.S. Coast Guardmaster chief petty officersleeve rating insignia United States Navymaster chief petty officer collar insignia United States Navymaster chief petty officershoulderb ...
Mohd Room Bin Bahari (Retired) * MCPO Mustapha bin Alwi * Chief Petty Officer 814726 Mohd Idros bin Mohd Yusof


Operations and covert actions

PASKAL units has been deployed in the following operations:


Operation Dawn ''(Ops Fajar)''

PASKAL operatives were deployed subsequent to the hijacking by Somali pirates of two Malaysian merchant vessels, MISC-owned Bunga Melati 2 and Bunga Melati 5. The PASKAL detachment was tasked for intelligence-gathering and also to provide security to the Malaysian team negotiating the release of both ships and their crew. This operation, codenamed Ops Fajar (Operation Dawn) also involved Royal Malaysian Navy assets comprising
KD Lekiu KD ''Lekiu'' is a guided missile frigate currently serving in the Royal Malaysian Navy and one of the major naval assets for Malaysia. Together with her sister ship KD Jebat (FFG29), ''Jebat'', ''Lekiu'' serves in the 23rd Frigate Squadron of t ...
, KD Sri Inderapura, as well as supported elements of Malaysian Army special forces, Grup Gerak Khas as well as some RMAF assets.


Rescue operations of Zhenhua 4

18 December 2008 – The Royal Malaysian Navy rescued a Chinese-registered ship, ''Zhenhua 4'' in the
Gulf of Aden The Gulf of Aden ( ar, خليج عدن, so, Gacanka Cadmeed 𐒅𐒖𐒐𐒕𐒌 𐒋𐒖𐒆𐒗𐒒) is a deepwater gulf of the Indian Ocean between Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, Djibouti to the west, and the Guardafui Channe ...
on Wednesday, the same day the United Nations Security Council decided to be more assertive against the Somali pirates. The Zhenhua 4 was attacked by nine armed pirates about noon on Wednesday while on its way from Djibouti to China. Called on by the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150), the multinational coalition patrolling the pirate-infested gulf, the RMN's KD Sri Inderasakti dispatched a helicopter (including PASKAL naval commandos) to the scene. The helicopter fired two warning shots at the pirates' skiff, causing them to call off the attack on the heavy load carrier Zhenhua 4 and flee.


Rescue operation of MV Abul Kalam Azad

1 January 2009 – PASKAL operatives together with RMN
KD Sri Indera Sakti KD ''Sri Indera Sakti'' is 4,300-ton, 100-meter multi-role support ship of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) based in the Lumut Naval Base in Perak, Malaysia. Major operation The ship was sent to Somali waters to take over the role of the similar ...
, commanded by Captain Mohamad Adib Abdul Samad experienced its first combat in the new year when its Fennec helicopter drove off two pirate skiffs pursuing Indian-registered crude oil tanker MT Abul Kalam Azad in the Gulf of Aden. The 92,000-tonne vessel, with 40 crew members, was heading for the Suez Canal with a full load of crude oil, sailing in the gulf at 11.37am (Malaysian time) when it was attacked by pirates in two skiffs. One of the boats had seven men in it, all armed with AK-47s and machineguns. They unleashed a barrage of fire at the bridge and accommodation area of the ship. They also tried to board it, all the while keeping up the attack. However, the ship began taking evasive measures and increased speed to the maximum. This was also when it issued a distress signal, which was picked up by Malaysian navy support ship KD Sri Indera Sakti about 15 nautical miles away. In rapid response, Captain Mohamad Adib dispatched the ship-borne Fennec helicopter gunship armed with twin general purpose machine guns and an elite Naval Special Forces PASKAL airborne sniper. The Malaysian helicopter was joined by a Eurocopter AS 365 Dauphin helicopter of the
Royal Saudi Navy The Royal Saudi Navy ( ar, البَحْريَّة الْمَلكيَّة السُّعُودِيَّة, Al-Quwwat al-Bahriyah al-Arabiyah as-Su'udiyah) or Royal Saudi Naval Forces ( ar, القُوَّات البَحْريَّة الْمَلك� ...
, effectively scaring off the pirates. The captain of the Abul Kalam Azad had initially requested to join the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation convoy, escorted by the Sri Indera Sakti, but later accepted the offer from a Saudi Arabian naval ship to escort it to its destination. International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre head Noel Choong said the crew of the Abul Kalam Azad reported seeing the pirates in military-style garb.


MALCON – ISAF

Special forces including PASKAL, Grup Gerak Khas, PASKAU and the 10th Paratrooper Brigade were deployed along other Malaysian contingent troops to participate in the administrative workload at the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Teams were deployed to assist the New Zealand Armed Forces in the peacekeeping missions and
humanitarian aid Humanitarian aid is material and logistic assistance to people who need help. It is usually short-term help until the long-term help by the government and other institutions replaces it. Among the people in need are the homeless, refugees, and ...
at Bamiyan District, Afghanistan.


Operation Dawn 8: Gulf of Aden

20 January 2011 – PASKAL maritime counter-terrorism assault teams successfully thwarted an attempted hijacking by Somali pirates on the Malaysian chemical tanker, ''MT Bunga Laurel'' in the Gulf of Aden. The tanker, laden with lubricating oil and ethylene dichloride was headed for Singapore when attacked by a pirate mothership with 18 armed pirates about 300 nautical miles (555 km) east of Oman at 11.40pm. Under the cover of darkness, seven pirates armed with AK-47 assault rifles, light machine guns and pistols suddenly emerged from a skiff boat and began boarding the tanker, firing at random. The crew of ''MT Bunga Laurel'' activated the alarm and MISC Emergency Reporting Centre (ERC) received a security emergency indication at about 11.37pm. With the issue of an order to rescue, the PASKALs in two boats, led by Lieutenant Commander Mohd Maznan Bin Mohd Said and Lieutenant Noor Asri Bin Roslan, were deployed at 1.20 am from
KA Bunga Mas Lima KA ''Bunga Mas Lima'' (BM5) is a container freighter purchased by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and converted into an auxiliary ship. ''Bunga Mas Lima'' was the second ship owned by the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) to be d ...
auxiliary ship, located 14 nautical miles (25.9 km) away, and provided with reconnaissance and aerial cover by a Fennec attack helicopter piloted by Lieutenant Jason Solomon John. The PASKALs boarded the tanker and subdued the pirates who engaged in a gunfight with the commandos, while the helicopter fired on the pirates' mother ship. At least three pirates were wounded in the shootout onboard the ''MT Bunga Laurel'' and further four captured, while 11 more pirates on the mothership decided to surrender. A cache of weapons and ammunition was seized. The 23 member ''Bunga Laurel'' crew consisting of Filipinos and Malaysians was successfully rescued with no casualties, and with no losses to the PASKALs in the battle. The swift action prevented the MISC from losing the cargo worth an estimated RM30 million. The KA Bunga Mas Lima had just completed the task of escorting the tanker and another MISC liquefied natural gas carrier, ''MT Seri Balhaf'', bound for Fujairah, to a safe zone called Easton 4 in the gulf. Malaysian Prime Minister
Najib Razak Dato' Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak ( ms, محمد نجيب بن عبد الرزاق, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset, ; born 23 July 1953) is a Malaysian politician who served as the 6th prime minister of Malaysi ...
praised the team for their efficiency in dealing with the crisis; the captured pirates were eventually brought to Malaysia to be tried.


Lahad Datu conflict

PASKAL units were sent to Lahad Datu, Sabah as part of the Malaysian security forces team to secure the area. The units, alongside GGK, PASKAU, PGK and UNGERIN play main roles in tracking down and neutralising the Southern Filipino terrorist group.


''MT Orkim Harmony'' hijacking

On 11 June 2015, eight Indonesian pirates hijacked the ''MT Orkim Harmony'', a Malaysian tanker at 8:54 p.m. MST ( UTC+08:00) during its way from
Malacca Malacca ( ms, Melaka) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca. Its capital is Malacca City, dubbed the Historic City, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site si ...
to Kuantan Port in the waters of Tanjung Sedili, Kota Tinggi, Johor at . During the hijacking, a crew of 22 was on board the tanker, including 16 Malaysians, five Indonesians and one Myanmar national. The tanker was loaded with 6,000 metric tonnes of petrol worth around 21 million
ringgit The Malaysian ringgit (; plural: ringgit; symbol: RM; currency code: MYR; Malay name: ''Ringgit Malaysia''; formerly the Malaysian dollar) is the currency of Malaysia. It is divided into 100 ''sen'' (formerly ''cents''). The ringgit is issued ...
(US$5.6 million). All the eight hijackers were armed with pistols and parangs. On 17 June, an
Australian air force "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colours = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...
Lockheed AP-3C Orion reconnaissance plane, flying from its base in Malaysia's northern Penang state, spotted the missing tanker in the
Gulf of Thailand The Gulf of Thailand, also known as the Gulf of Siam, is a shallow inlet in the southwestern South China Sea, bounded between the southwestern shores of the Indochinese Peninsula and the northern half of the Malay Peninsula. It is around in l ...
within the Cambodian-Vietnamese maritime border. According to them, the tanker had been repainted from blue to black and renamed ''Kim Harmon''. Malaysian authorities co-operate with an authorities of Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand to track and intercept the tanker in Cambodian waters. In reaction to the Australian report, RMN and MMEA vessels, who were put on standby, and Navy counter-terrorism forces PASKAL were deployed to the area and, on 19 June, the tanker was spotted at .The reference is on the external links. The pirates on board the tanker instructed them to retreat for about five nautical miles (9 kilometres) from the tanker located and threatened to kill the crew's families if the tanker's captain leaked the pirates plan to leave the tanker to the Malaysian authorities. Some hours later, eight Indonesians who were suspected as the pirates were seen near Thổ Chu Island and as they were approached by the Vietnam Border Defense Force (VBDF) and VCG, the Indonesians claimed they were from a fishing boat that sank.


In popular culture

Books, televisions and movie. * 2018: "'", an action movie based on a true story about missions of UNIVEM II and Operations Dawn 8 in Gulf of Aden. * 2019: "''PASKAL 24 Jam''", a TV reality show by Astro Gempak about the seven actors and social media celebrities joining the challenge to feel the real experience of training in the PASKAL camp non-stop for 24 hours with KD Panglima Hitam.


See also

* Elite Forces of Malaysia **Malaysian Army 21st ''Grup Gerak Khas'' **Malaysian Army 10th Parachute Brigade ** Royal Malaysian Air Force PASKAU ** Malaysia Coast Guard Special Task and Rescue ** Royal Malaysia Police '' Pasukan Gerakan Khas''


Notes


References


External links


KD Panglima Hitam - PASUKAN KHAS LAUT

Royal Malaysian Navy website

Pusmas - PENUBUHAN PASUKAN KHAS LAUT (PASKAL)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Malaysian Navy Paskal Armed forces diving Counterterrorism in Malaysia Counterterrorist organizations 1982 establishments in Malaysia Military units and formations established in 1982 Naval special forces units PASKAL Special forces of Malaysia