Kuala lumpur: Sixteen Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) officers are set to depart for South Sudan tonight to participate in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for a year-long peacekeeping deployment. The delegation, led by DSP Chan Yew Hiok as Contingent Head and assisted by Deputy Contingent Head DSP Ahmad Suhaili Abu Bakar, consists of 10 senior officers and six lower-rank personnel.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Aman Deputy Director of Management (Administration) Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof highlighted that the deployment underscores the international community's confidence in PDRM as a disciplined, credible, and integrity-driven security force. He emphasized that the mission serves not only as an operational assignment overseas but also as a mission of security diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, and global security.
Ahmad Dzaffir further explained that the police personnel joining UNMISS would serve as individual police officers (IPOs). Their tasks include maintaining public safety, advising, mentoring, and assisting the South Sudan National Police Service in rebuilding a professional, integrity-driven policing institution. He remarked that in a post-conflict country, policing must be based on trust, legitimacy, and justice rather than solely on a strict approach.
He urged the mission participants to focus on reforming the policing institution, strengthening law enforcement based on human rights, and protecting the public, especially vulnerable groups such as women, children, and marginalized communities. He stated that the true value of a peacekeeping mission lies in laying the groundwork for sustainable peace for future generations.
Ahmad Dzaffir also reminded the mission members to maintain discipline and integrity, protect the honor of PDRM and Malaysia, and take care of themselves during the mission.
The delegation includes ASP Abdul Hakim Hussein, ASP Tina Manchu, ASP Zaitul-Najahah Abd Patah, ASP Zarina Yahya, Insp Muhamad Amirul Asraf Mohd Sharif, Insp Ahmad Zulhilmi Kamarudin, Insp M. Maheswaran, Insp D. Marzammutu, Sub Insp Putri Leila Raha Azil, Sergeant Major (SM) Collin Maxwell, SM Abdul Rahman Mohd Mustaffa, Sgt Md Zulaizi Md Usof, Sgt Lee Chong Seng, and Sgt Stephen Lachmanaidu.
DSP Chan, participating in her first overseas peacekeeping mission, expressed her commitment to providing support and comfort to women affected by the conflict, drawing on her experience in handling cases related to women. She emphasized her motivation to demonstrate that women can serve the community with pride, particularly in assisting women and children.
ASP Tina, attached to the Sarawak Contingent Headquarters, stated that the mission aims to strengthen law enforcement in South Sudan and share the benefits of peace with the local community. She noted that the peace enjoyed in Malaysia is something that should be shared with other nations.
PDRM's involvement in UN peacekeeping missions began in 1991 with the deployment to the Angola Mission, followed by participation in the Darfur Mission in 2008, and UNMISS since 2011, at the request of the United Nations.