During the Malayan Emergency, three members of the Marine Police Force perished in the battle of Bukit Kepong while fighting against the Communists.

Each of these regional bases is organised similarly to the Neighbourhood Police Centres of the land divisions, and conduct patrols within its respective maritime area of operations.

The Marine Police Force conducts round-the-clock patrols in Malaysian Territorial Waters (MTW) 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 coastline.

23 September 1985: Over 15-20 armed Moro pirates clad in jungle green uniforms stormed in the town of Lahad Datu and firing at random targets, killing at least (21) people and injuring (11) others,[5][6] and snatched some RM200,000 from a local bank as well as another RM5,000 from the Malaysia Airlines office.

In 24 September, the Marine Police Force launched a surprise attacks on an island which believe to be their hide-out and managed to kill five pirates.

[5][6] While the rest of the pirates have escaped to the international border,[8] the Royal Malaysian Police recovered a number of M16 rifles with a whole armoury of assorted weapons.

The Sabah Marine Police launched the operation to hunt down Moloi, involving the patrol vessel of PX 30, PC 20 and a spy boat.

At the same time, five officers and (32) members of the 69 Commando counter-terrorist operators were flown to Kukup, Pontian, Johor at about 5 pm yesterday.

From Sultan Ismail Airport, Senai, the unit was brought by helicopter and they were briefed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohd Yazib Bin Abd Aziz.

[11][12] Over the period 2009 to 2019, Maritime Border Control was successful in 12,054 cases of busts and summons above various type of offence in beach coastal and national waters.

Marine Police Force operators are typically armed with the Beretta 92, Browning Hi-Power Mk.3, Glock 19, Heckler & Koch USP and Walther P99 service pistol.

Other firearms such as the Heckler & Koch MP5, the M16 rifle are also stowed aboard each patrol craft, with the Remington 870 pump action shotgun as an additional weapon for the UNGERIN.

As a result of the 2013 Lahad Datu standoff, Marine Police Force officers including UNGERIN in Sabah now have access to 7.62mm Colt CM901 battle rifles when on duty.