Steady hands: sultan nazrin checking out firearms at an exhibition held in conjunction with the Third GOF Battalion camp’s opening in Bidor, Perak. With him is Tuanku Zara (in green). — Bernama
TAPAH: Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah graced the opening of the Third Battalion camp of the General Operations Force (GOF) here.
His Royal Highness, who was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, arrived at 9.35am yesterday. They were greeted by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.
Also present were State Secretary Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim and Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri.
Sultan Nazrin also inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by three officers and 102 men from the Third GOF Battalion at the ceremony.
In his speech, Acryl Sani said the upgrade work of the camp involved two phases of construction. The first phase began in February 2008 and was fully completed in August 2011, costing RM69mil.
He said the second phase started on Sept 15, 2008, and was completed on May 16, 2012, at a cost of RM253mil.
The camp was equipped with various facilities including a hall, parade ground and cafeteria.
During the ceremony, guests watched a Senoi Praaq War dance and a parachute performance by the VAT 69 commando team from the Royal Malaysia Police.
The Senoi Praaq are crack troops comprising Orang Asli GOF personnel who specialise in deep jungle reconnaissance work. In the Semai language, Senoi Praaq is translated as “War People” or “Those Who Fight”. They are famed for their tracking and survival skills.
Known for their capabilities in jungle warfare, the Senoi Praaq team is also equipped with hunting skills using pickaxes, spears and arrows.
The Senoi Praaq was given the nickname “Silent Killer” by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for its agility, advanced jungle skills, fearlessness, and courage when facing the enemy.
Formed in 1956, the Senoi Praaq was known as the Special Unit Trial Team (Pasukan Percubaan Unit Khas) led by Lieutenant Colonel ROD Noone who was the advisor for the Orang Asli welfare department at the time. The team was also trained by Britain’s famed Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) commandos.
The team was named Senoi Praaq in 1957.
Among their tasks at the time were to conduct reconnaissance duties, obtain intelligence information and carry out operations to eradicate communist terrorists in rural areas from Jeli in Kelantan to Hulu Perak in Gerik district.
In 2003, three members of the Senoi Praaq team become the first to create history after they were assigned under the banner of the United Nations (UN) in Timor Leste. The three of them are Sgt Ali Ayek, Sgt Zamri Mat Tot and Corp Hairi Goh Lan Han.
Now led by commanding officer Supt Azhar Hashim, the Senoi Praaq team has 27 officers, 430 Orang Asli policemen and 21 other personnel.
