KUALA LUMPUR: All personal security guards and bodyguards must undergo a special course and professional training with the police, beginning Jan 1, next year.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the training will be also be part of a compulsory requirement for the renewal of the carry-and-use firearm licence for bodyguards in 2018.
Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, said the move was part of 10 new initiatives lined up to lift the image of security firms and streamline their services under the Ministry’s purview.
The Home Ministry, together with the Security Services Association Malaysia (PPKKM) also proposed for Security firms' licence renewal under Section 3 (4) of the Private Agencies Act 1971 be amended and extended to every two years.
Currently, he said the licence for security firms are renewed on a yearly basis.
"Security firms will also be required to carry out self-auditing for the services rendered starting next year," he said at a meeting with PPKKM and security firms at the International Fire and Security Exhibition Southeast Asia (IFSEC 2017) in KL Convention Centre here today.
Zahid said the Ministry was also in the final stage of standardising and streamlining uniforms for security personnel, including accessories which must include the PPKKM's logo.
"This proposal has been submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers and awaiting approval.
"We, together with the police, banking associations, Islamic banking associations and representatives from financial institutions have also drafted a new guideline for banking and financial institutes in the country. This will also commence from Jan 1," Zahid said.
He said he would present the proposal to the Cabinet next week before an official black and white is sent out to all security firms.
Currently, there are 64,085 trained local security personnel, comprising of 58,444 men and 5,641 women in the country.
To top it up, Home Ministry under a joint initiative with PPKKM has also introduced the Trained Nepalese Guards (TNG) programme which has trained 6,992 security guards so far.
"Based on the success of the certified security guard programme introduced in 2014, the ministry has also planned to accredit the modules in the course," Zahid added.
Among the initiatives introduced in 2017 are the Private Agencies Circular 1 2017 which outlined a new guideline for application of firearm and its use by licenced security firms under the Private Agencies Act 1971 and the Arms Act 1960 that took effect last month.
Starting October, Zahid added that the public will have easier access, via Home Ministry's website, to check on any security firms background, status and services.
"A random urine test for drug abuse will also be introduced for all security personnel nationwide starting next month," he added.
Zahid also thanked all security firms directors and management representatives for their commitment in uplifting the security services at the meeting.
He too sent out a special thanks to UBM Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Mustaffa Babjee for allowing the meeting to coincide with the International Fire and Security Exhibition Southeast Asia (IFSEC 2017).
Also present at the meeting were the new Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, Security Services Association Malaysia (PPKKM) president Datuk Seri Mustapa Ali.