Malaysian military proposes reinstating National Task Force model

The Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces, General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman, has proposed the reinstatement of integrated operations similar to the National Task Force (NTF) to curb the entry of undocumented immigrants into the country.

Speaking during a special interview for the 93rd Malaysian Armed Forces Day, the General noted that the NTF model proved effective in coordinating various agencies through information sharing and asset utilization. The proposal has been submitted to the National Security Council (MKN) for government consideration.

The NTF, which previously involved 18 government agencies including the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, was officially disbanded on December 31, 2022. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NTF operated under ‘Operation Benteng’ to secure borders against illegal entries via land and sea.