Events

 

As the bugle sounded the solemn notes of ‘Beating the Retreat’, the flag of the 5th Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) was steadily lowered and the PETRONAS flag hoisted in its place. Battalion Commander Superintendent of Police En Ja’afar Kaimi handed a swagger stick, a symbol of authority, to Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) Head of Security En Ramli Mohamad, signifying the transfer of duties to the PETRONAS Auxillary Police.

 

That ceremony held on 7 October 2019 officially marked the conclusion of the GOF’s tour of duty in PIC, nearly 3 years after their arrival in January 2017. Numbering 142 men in 7 Battalions, they had played an integral role in security management in the Complex.

 

The GOF was one of two Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) contingents stationed at PIC to enhance security at site, the other being the Marine Police Force which deployed 31 men and three patrol boats to secure the PIC shoreline.

 

“The presence of the men in uniform had a huge impact on overall security governance,” says En Ramli Mohamad, Head of PIC Security.” They helped to contain and mitigate security issues with great success, enabling PIC to reach project completion with zero major security incident.”

 

“That record is no small achievement for a mega project which drew more than 65,000 workers from all corners of the globe during peak construction. The GOF deployment was an effective deterrent against potential fights, riots and discipline issues among the work force.

 

 

The collaboration between PIC Security and PDRM goes back to November 2016. From the start of project execution, PIC leaders, with SVP & CEO of PRPC Ir Dr Colin Wong at the helm, proactively tackled the challenge of managing such a massive number of multinational workers in one location. Recognising that security incidences would jeopardise work progress and incur opportunity losses, they sought Police support to address and pre-empt those concerns.

 

Led by HSSE Head En Saifuddin Shah Sowkkatali and Security Head En Ramli, the PIC Security team engaged with the Inspector General of Police and Johor Chief of Police. Sharing their concerns and need to fortify security capability, they obtained the IGP’s approval for GOF troops to be stationed in PIC beginning with deployment of the pioneer 5th Battalion on 15 January 2017. 

 

GOF officers undertook security, surveillance and enforcement responsibilities, aided by high quality facilities provided by PIC including 8 pick-up trucks for patrolling and monitoring duties. Constant and highly visible police presence at site effectively kept unrest in check, especially with the officers often seen in full riot control gear during site events.

 

Throughout that time, PDRM’s commitment was clear with Top Cops at both national and state levels making regular working visits to PIC. The strategic collaboration resulted in effective management of the vast number of workers, so that the PIC Project teams could focus their energies fully on meeting key project targets and timely project completion.

 

 

 

 

 

PIC leaders have high praise for the GOF officers – Datuk Nur Iskandar A Samad, Project Director of Petchem, referred to them as the “unsung heroes of PIC”, while En Ramli expressed his gratitude to the IGP and the GOF Battalions for their “enormous contribution”. 

 

At the recent ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony, a 550-strong Guard of Honour performed the Trooping the Colour of the 5th Battalion, followed by inspection by IGP Tan Sri Dato Seri Abdul Hamid Bador. Focused Recognition awards were later presented by PRPC to several senior officers as well as Commanders of the GOF Battalions, in recognition of the excellent services rendered. Present with the IGP at the event was Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department Director Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

 

OCPD of Kota Tinggi Superintendent En Ahsmon Bajah expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between PDRM and PETRONAS in security enforcement at site, a first for cooperation in a construction environment between PDRM and a corporate organisation.

 

 

 

While the GOF’s tour of duty has ended, the close working ties established will ensure continued collaboration by the two parties. In December 2018, PIC obtained Protected Area and Protected Place status and was subsequently gazette under Key Point Installation One classification in April 2019. Given the national importance of PIC’s activities and role, IGP Tan Sri Dato Seri Abdul Hamid himself has reaffirmed PDRM’s strong commitment in supporting PETRONAS’ security needs as PIC moves forward into commercial operations by end-2019.