Ahmad Zahid, who is also home minister, said the move would see an increase in staffing in the GOF.

“God willing, one day the GOF will become a department with a director-general and more personnel promoted,” he said when meeting personnel of the Batu Kawa GOF Camp here today.

Present were Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar and Sarawak police commissioner Muhammad Sabtu Osman.

The Royal Malaysia Police now has 10 departments. The GOF currently has branch status.

Ahmad Zahid also said the government would be setting up a Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) in Perak for children of police personnel.

He said it was part of efforts to look after the welfare of the families of police personnel, the field of education being a key area.

“I hope the college will bring much cheer to the officers and men in the force. This is a step to look after the welfare of police personnel’s children,” he said, adding that the tender for the construction of the college, on a 20ha site, was issued in June.

Ahmad Zahid said now the MRSM in Kulim, built in 1992, took in children of police personnel.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid stressed that in strengthening the force, he never sidelined any department or unit in the force.

He said the Home Ministry was also planning to upgrade the Sarawak police contingent’s headquarters as well as district police headquarters in the state.

Although there were financial constraints, he said the ministry and police force would do their best to upgrade these facilities.

At the event, Ahmad Zahid also announced allocations of RM100,000 each for upgrading the surau and chapel at the camp.

– BERNAMA