KOTA BARU: Twenty-eight General Operations Force (GOF) personnel were found to have been involved in drug-related offences and disciplinary violations between last year and early this month, including personnel serving under Op Taring Wawasan along the Malaysia-Thailand border.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the disciplinary violations included absence from duty and failure to report for duty while under suspension.
He said 10 personnel had been dismissed from service, while investigations and disciplinary proceedings involving the remaining 18 were ongoing.
Of the 10 dismissed personnel, four were from the Eighth Battalion, while the Seventh and Ninth Battalions recorded three dismissals each.
Radzi said six personnel were dismissed last year, while four others were dismissed this year.
"Of the 18 remaining cases, the latest was recorded on Oct 13, when a GOF personnel was arrested under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 while on duty in Kelantan.
"Investigations found that the personnel had been involved in drug abuse for eight years.
"The personnel is married and has four children," he told reporters today.
Radzi described the situation as worrying and said it required serious attention from all parties.
He said drug abuse and disciplinary violations were serious offences that could jeopardise personnel's careers, affect their families and tarnish the force's image.
He said all officers and personnel should take the matter seriously and uphold discipline while carrying out their duties, particularly in securing the country's borders.
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