Malacca's canonical law created what was essentially a police force in Malaysia in the fifteenth century, through the institution of the Temenggung and Hulubalang, or royal warriors.

The Dutch retained the Kapitan system, but when the growing number of Europeans in Malaysia made change necessary, a police force known as the 'Burgher Guard' was established.

Above the PDRM symbol, there is a tiger head in a garland of Paddy flowers, with a scroll underneath bearing the name Polis Diraja Malaysia.

According to Frey (2003), who concluded from Sir Stamford Raffles' (1817) study of the Candi Sukuh, the kris came into existence around AD 1361.

The traditional machete, Ilang or Klewang symbolises the states of Sarawak and Sabah in East Malaysia and it represents the spirit of heroism of a multitude of ethnic tribes such as the Dayak, Dusun, Bajau and Kadazan.

Its role is to collect security intelligence related to both domestic and external threats, intercept subversive activities by extremist groups and individuals which could threaten the nation's stability.

In this role, this department cooperates with other agencies, such as the Malaysian Armed Forces and Army / Navy Maritime Patrol to prevent piracy and to secure the national borders.

When the threat of terrorism started to increase after the 11 September terrorist attack in United States, followed up by a series of bombings in Bali and Jakarta, Indonesia and in Malaysia, the RMP has formed 2 anti-terrorism corps.

Pasukan Gerakan Khas is a major elite force in the Royal Malaysia Police, which is composed of 69 Commando (VAT 69) and Special Actions Unit (UTK).

It has a big role in handling threats from pirates, robbery, kidnapping and hijacking of ships and terrorist attacks in national waters.

As the premiere public order unit of the RMP, the FRU is designed, equipped and specially trained for duties in suppressing and dismissing riots and illegal assemblies.

It serves as a communication and coordination center where information from various sources, such as emergency calls, surveillance cameras, and field reports, is gathered, analyzed, and acted upon in real-time.

Each of these regional bases are organised similarly to the Neighbourhood Police Centres of the land divisions, and conduct patrols within their maritime sectors.

The PGM conducts round-the-clock patrols in Malaysian territorial waters from its five regional bases, in an area of more than 142, 393 km2 and 450, 233 km2 for EEZ as well as 4490 km for the coastlines.

This department's main function is to investigate, arrest, and prosecute offenders committing white-collar crimes such as fraud, breach of trust, cyber-crimes, forgery, counterfeiting etc.

Non-governmental organisations continued to press the government to create an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

A range of other reform recommendations, including repeal or review of laws allowing for detention without trial or requiring police permits for public assemblies, were not implemented.

As of 2021, Chinese and Indian constituted around 1.9% and 3% of the 123,000 officers and personnel in the country respectively while the majority rest are populated by the Malays and other natives.

[46] ¹ In early June, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) began taking delivery of the first of its 425 new Honda Civic 1.8 S patrol cars which are equipped with RMPNeT communication equipment, dashboard cameras and digital video recorders, in order to replace Proton Wira and Proton Waja police cars in stages and will take on patrol and enforcement duties.

[48] Several notorious cases of suspected extrajudicial killing by members of the police include the Murder of Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa and the death in custody of Malaysian Indians such as A.

[50][51] In 2019, a national inquiry held by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's (SUHAKAM) concluded that agents of the Special Branch, Bukit Aman, were responsible for the abduction of Amri Che Mat in 2016 and Raymond Koh in 2017.

[54] 235 militants, most of whom were armed,[55] arrived by boat in Lahad Datu district from Philippines territory and occupied the village of Tanduo.

His stated goal was to assert the Philippine territorial claim to eastern Sabah as part of the North Borneo dispute.

Attempts by the Malaysian and the Philippine governments to reach a peaceful solution with Kiram's supporters were unsuccessful and the standoff escalated into an armed conflict on 1 March 2013.

The Singaporean terrorist, who captured world attention when he escaped from the republic's maximum security Whitley Detention Centre in February last year, could barely put up a fight in his shorts and T-shirt when caught during a dawn raid in April.

[73] Hishammuddin declined to give details since the case is sensitive as it involves intelligence agencies of Singapore and Indonesia, as well as Malaysia.

[73] Musa said the arrest was made possible as police in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia had been sharing intelligence reports over the past year.

It is learnt that Special Branch officers had been working on various leads since March and upon confirming his whereabouts planned the dawn raid that resulted in his arrest.

[74][75] Nur Misuari who is the main leader and founder of one of the breakaway faction in the Philippines was arrested on 23 November 2001 together with six of his followers in Jampiras Island off Sabah after intruding past the Malaysian border illegally.

Tpr Matthew anak Medan from 21 Commando was murdered by this militant group and was awarded Pahlawan Gagah Berani.