Commander of VAT 69 Commando SAC Hamzah Hashim (centre) speaks to the media after the Series 1/2023 Free Fall Basic Course parachute jump exercise in Padang Tekah, Taiping August 22, 2023. — Bernama pic
The VAT 69 Commando Parachute Training Division will be upgraded as a Parachute and Diving Training Centre from next year.
Commander of VAT 69 Commando SAC Hamzah Hashim said the upgrading process will be implemented in stages, in line with the duties and responsibilities of the special forces unit which have grown increasingly challenging as time goes by.
He said the training centre will be built within the VAT 69 Commando Headquarters area in Ulu Kinta, Perak.
“It is our hope to extend parachuting and diving skills to all Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) members regardless of their department,” he told Bernama after a parachute jump exercise at Padang Tekah here today.
Hamzah said for now, the division was also using the Malaysian Armed Forces Special Warfare Training Centre (Pulpak) facility at Sungai Udang Camp, Melaka for its officers and VAT 69 Commando members’ training.
Meanwhile, Hamzah hopes the government would consider increasing 69 Commando staff strength to further improve the parachute training division.
Earlier, Hamzah presented Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) deputy director (General Policing) SAC Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid his Parachute Wings. He was one of the senior police officers who participated in the Tandem Jump Event at an altitude of 10,000 feet.
Bukit Aman JKDNKA (Special Operations Force) deputy director SAC Anuar Rosdi later presented officers and members of VAT 69 Commando their wings having completed the Series 1/2023 Free Fall Basic Course at Padang Tekah.