ASEAN Records is proud to officially recognise Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) for achieving the milestone:
Largest National Police Force Personnel Deployment to a Single Host Country Across Its Full Sequence of United Nations Missions (2,620 personnel deployed to one host country from June 1999 to December 2012; 609 individual police across five successive UN missions and 2,011 Formed Police Unit personnel across 14 contingent rotations)
This recognition honours the sustained contribution of PDRM personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, reflecting more than a decade of continuous service, professional commitment, and operational readiness in support of international peace and security.
A Longstanding Commitment to International Peacekeeping
Since Malaysia became a member of the United Nations in 1957, the country has consistently supported international efforts to preserve peace and global stability. Within this wider national commitment, Polis Diraja Malaysia has played a vital role by deploying highly trained police personnel to peacekeeping missions in conflict-affected and post-conflict environments around the world.
PDRM’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions began in 1991 in Angola, marking the start of more than three decades of continuous contribution to global peace and security. Since then, Malaysian police officers have served in 13 United Nations peacekeeping missions, undertaking responsibilities that extend beyond law enforcement to include peacebuilding, institutional development, civilian protection, and post-conflict recovery.
The recognised record specifically honours PDRM’s continuous deployment to a single host country between June 1999 and December 2012, involving 2,620 personnel. This total comprised 609 individual police officers serving across five successive United Nations missions and 2,011 Formed Police Unit (FPU) personnel deployed through 14 contingent rotations, representing the largest personnel deployment by a national police force to a single host country throughout an entire sequence of United Nations missions.
Serving Through Individual and Formed Police Deployments
The achievement reflects the breadth of PDRM’s peacekeeping responsibilities through both Individual Police Officers (IPO) and Formed Police Units (FPU).
Individual police officers contributed specialised expertise in community policing, criminal investigations, institutional capacity building, police training, election security, monitoring, advisory services, operational coordination, and rebuilding public confidence in local law enforcement agencies. Working alongside international partners and local authorities, they helped strengthen policing institutions while supporting communities recovering from conflict.
Complementing these deployments, Formed Police Units provided organised operational capabilities for public order management, critical infrastructure protection, high-risk security operations, escort duties, civilian protection, and emergency response. Across 14 contingent rotations, PDRM personnel consistently demonstrated the discipline, professionalism, and operational readiness required under demanding United Nations standards.
Together, these deployments showcased Malaysia’s ability to contribute both specialist expertise and fully operational police contingents capable of responding to complex international peacekeeping environments.
Professionalism Beyond National Borders
United Nations peacekeeping requires far more than policing expertise. Every deployed officer represents Malaysia, Polis Diraja Malaysia, and the nation’s commitment to international peace, cooperation, and humanitarian service.
Before deployment, officers undergo rigorous selection, assessment, specialised training, and mission preparation to ensure they meet United Nations operational requirements, including leadership, communication, crisis management, cultural awareness, and mission readiness. These preparations enable Malaysian officers to perform effectively in diverse environments while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.
The achievement also recognises the personal sacrifices made by officers and their families. Serving in conflict zones often means prolonged separation from loved ones, adapting to unfamiliar cultures, operating under uncertain security conditions, and making difficult decisions in environments where lives and communities depend upon effective leadership.
Documenting More Than Three Decades of Peacekeeping Service
The ASEAN Records recognition coincides with the publication of Misi Pengaman Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu Polis Diraja Malaysia, an official publication documenting more than three decades of PDRM’s involvement in 13 United Nations peacekeeping missions since 1991.
Produced through a collaboration between Polis Diraja Malaysia and UPM Press, the publication chronicles the force’s peacekeeping legacy, covering mission preparation, deployment procedures, operational experiences, leadership, crisis management, international cooperation, and post-conflict policing.
Beyond preserving institutional history, the book captures the sacrifices, resilience, and experiences of Malaysian officers who served under the United Nations flag. It highlights how PDRM personnel navigated complex humanitarian crises, worked across diverse cultural environments, and made critical decisions in challenging operational settings, demonstrating the effectiveness of Malaysia’s policing approach on the international stage.
The publication is intended to serve as a valuable reference for researchers, policymakers, future peacekeepers, and the wider public, ensuring that the operational knowledge, leadership lessons, and peacekeeping experiences accumulated over decades continue to benefit future generations.
A Milestone Moment of Recognition
The ASEAN Records certificate was officially presented on 9 July 2026 at Royal Chulan Kuala Lumpur.
The recognition was received by YDH IG Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Hj. Mohd Khalid bin Hj. Ismail, Inspector-General of Police, on behalf of Polis Diraja Malaysia, in acknowledgement of the force’s sustained deployment of 2,620 personnel to a single host country across a complete sequence of United Nations peacekeeping missions from June 1999 to December 2012.
The presentation was witnessed by YBhg. Tan Sri Prof. Datuk Wira Dr. Abdul Latiff bin Abu Bakar, Chairman of the Organising Committee, YBhg. Dato’ Abdul Halim bin Abdul Rahman, Deputy Secretary-General for Security at the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi, Chairman of the Advisory Board of ASEAN Records.
The ceremony honoured not only the personnel who served in the recognised missions, but also the generations of PDRM officers, commanders, trainers, planners, administrators, and support teams whose collective efforts enabled Malaysia to sustain one of the region’s most significant police peacekeeping contributions.
Voices of Leadership
Reflecting on PDRM’s international peacekeeping contribution, YDH IG Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Hj. Mohd Khalid bin Hj. Ismail, Inspector-General of Police, shared:
“This recognition commemorates the service, dedication, and professionalism of the men and women of Polis Diraja Malaysia who represented our nation in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Their responsibilities extended far beyond maintaining public order. They contributed to rebuilding institutions, strengthening communities, and supporting nations recovering from conflict.
Every officer deployed carried the name of Malaysia with honour and demonstrated that professionalism, integrity, compassion, and discipline are values that transcend national borders. Their service reflects PDRM’s unwavering commitment to international peace and security.
This recognition also belongs to the many officers involved in planning, selection, training, logistics, administration, and operational support, as well as to the families whose sacrifices made these missions possible. We hope this achievement will inspire future generations of PDRM personnel to continue serving with courage, integrity, and excellence.”
Advancing Malaysia’s Global Peacekeeping Legacy
PDRM’s sustained participation in United Nations peacekeeping demonstrates Malaysia’s longstanding commitment to international cooperation and collective security.
Through its officers serving as peacekeepers, trainers, advisors, investigators, and Formed Police Unit personnel, PDRM has contributed to restoring public order, strengthening policing institutions, protecting vulnerable communities, and supporting post-conflict recovery in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
This ASEAN Records recognition preserves an important chapter in Malaysia’s policing history while honouring the courage, professionalism, and humanitarian spirit demonstrated by thousands of PDRM personnel who have proudly represented the nation on the global stage.
About Polis Diraja Malaysia
Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) is Malaysia’s national police force, entrusted with maintaining public order, enforcing the law, preventing and investigating crime, safeguarding national security, and protecting communities throughout the country.
Beyond its domestic responsibilities, PDRM has established an internationally respected peacekeeping legacy through its participation in United Nations missions since 1991. Over more than three decades, Malaysian police officers have served in 13 United Nations peacekeeping missions, contributing expertise in community policing, public order management, institutional development, training, civilian protection, and post-conflict stabilisation.
Guided by professionalism, integrity, discipline, and public service, Polis Diraja Malaysia continues to strengthen its role as a trusted national institution while contributing meaningfully to peace, security, and international cooperation both within Malaysia and across the global community.
