by SHAHEERA AZNAM SHAH / pic by TMR FILE 

JOHOR Port Bhd, a member of MMC Corp Bhd, is maintaining the highest level of security and a secure environment for its port users and customers through a competency enhancement programme for its auxiliary police force.

The operator for the port in Pasir Gudang, Johor, said its armed security force, which is known as the Johor Port Auxiliary Police, is responsible to ensure utmost protection from any potential threats whether by land, sea or air.

“As the ‘Southern Gateway Multi-Purpose Port in Malaysia’ that contributes not only largely to the nation but also global trade, Johor Port prioritises maintaining a safe and secure environment for its port users and customers to conduct business.

“Johor Port’s Auxiliary Police provides patrolling and 24-hour surveillance at all entry and exit points to various facilities within the port, as well as enforcing both port and maritime safety regulations at Johor Port’s waterfront,” it said in a statement yesterday.

Johor Port said its armed security force comprises a team of 85 officers and members, which include five women.

The police officers and members are authorised to carry firearms as they are the primary responders for all reported crimes and incidents within its jurisdiction, the port operator said.

On top of the Auxiliary Police Training at the Police Training Centres, the armed security force also undergoes a series of various skill training to ensure adequate preparation for security roles such as the Marine Facility Security Officer for vessel searches.

“Johor Port recently conducted the 2021 biannual firearms training for its auxiliary police at the Kota Tinggi REM Farm Shooting Range.

“The firearms training aimed at enhancing the usage of firearms through up-to-date training and improving the level of preparedness when encountering any situation involving firearms usage,” Johor Port said.

The port operator added that the training programme consisted of a briefing session and practical training on the procedures and safety aspects of handling firearms, followed by “centre fire” gun and “falling plate” pump-action gun skills sessions.

“The weapons used during the training consisted of Glock19 9mm gun-type firearms and 12-bore pump guns. The next firearms training will be conducted in October 2021.

“In any maritime operations, the No 1 priority is to ensure utmost port security as the marine transportation sector is thriving and an extensively used form of conveyance that contributes largely to the nation’s economy,” it said.

The Johor Port Auxiliary Police also collaborates with government entities such as Royal Malaysian Police, Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Immigration Department, National Anti-Drugs Agency, and Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department to facilitate in monitoring and providing safety and security spanning miles of waterfront and land-based facilities.