Police to establish 'Negotiator Cell' to deal with terrorist crisis

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the special team, which has the concept of a 'sleeper cell', consists of those who are highly trained and experienced in the field of negotiation with terrorist groups.

He said it will be mobilised at the time of a crisis that threatens national security whether at home or abroad to act, collect and convey information to facilitate the Crisis Management Team make decisions.

"The team formed based on MKN Directive No 18 (handling hijackers or terrorists) also needs to maintain relations with the terrorist side and find a peaceful solution without using violence.

"The negotiator's main mission is to save the lives of hostages in a situation by implementing the best strategy and also obtain intelligence information during the negotiation process as well as to deploy tactical moves when negotiations fail," he said.

He said this during the launch of the Negotiator Cell in Bukit Aman here today, which was also attended by National Security Council (MKN) deputy director-general Datuk Baharuddin Ahmad, Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO) director-general Lieutenant-General Datuk Mohd Razali Alias and Commander of the Negotiator Cell SAC M.V. Srikumar Madhavan Nair.

According to him, the establishment of the cell is also in line with the evolution of security threats and crimes that are becoming more complex and demands that PDRM shore up the ability of skilled negotiators with professional expertise in dealing with the crisis of terrorism.

Ayob Khan said the team, which is under the control of the Inspector-General of Police through the director of the Department of Internal Security and Public Order, also comprised members from the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

For now, he said the Negotiator Cell has nine members and more members will be recruited in the near future.

-- BERNAMA