Government to improve police force to maintain excellent service - Zahid

He said he was personally determined to ensure that the force continued to shine in the eyes of the people.

"The government always gives attention to the police force. I know of some police contingent headquarters which occupy dilapidated buildings, what more the district headquarters and stations. The quarters are also run-down," he said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, was speaking at the 41st anniversary celebration of the Police Special Action Unit at the Federal Reserve Unit Complex in Cheras here today.

He said Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, when tabling Budget 2016 in the Dewan Rakyat last October, had proposed allocations to upgrade the police contingent headquarters, district headquarters and quarters.

Ahmad Zahid said that in appreciation of the UTK's 41 years of service to the nation, the government would put up a building for the unit, construction of which would begin this year.

"The UTK has provided excellent service for 41 years and has carved a name for itself not only in the country but also regionally and globally," he said.

Earlier, in his address at the event, Ahmad Zahid said non-monetary remuneration for the UTK officers and personnel in the form of assets should be increased for the unit to continue to perform well.

"We know there is sadness behind the excellence ... the (UTK) building is still wooden. I pledge that the UTK will get a new building this year and have new assets as well," he said.

He also said that besides the assets, the government and the Home Ministry were working on improving the UTK Personal Integrated Tactical System (PITS) "from head to toe".

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim; Department of Internal Security and Public Order, Bukit Aman, Datuk Muhammad Fuad Abu Bakar; UTK Commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali and retired IGP Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar were also present at the event.

The UTK was set up on Jan 1, 1975, by Mohammed Hanif when he was the IGP, and has the motto "Tangkas Banteras Ganas" (Quick to Overcome Terror).