SHAH ALAM: Bullet/stab proof vests for PDRM. The police has started distributing a new bullet/stab proof reflective vests for its personnel. As only 800 vests have been procured so far these would be distributed initially to personnel assigned to patrol vehicles or MPV units.
The first 100 vests were distributed in Johor Bahru today, Bernama reports.
A police officer showing the details of the new bullet.stab proof reflective vest. Polis Johor
Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Zainal Abidin Kasim said 800 units were distributed under the first phase by giving priority to all the contingents.
He said the distribution was also based on the frequent risks and incidents of criminal cases that required MPV patrolmen to wear safety vests. According to him, the Reflective Bullet Proof Vest Level II With Anti Stab is able to last for 10 years and provide ballistic protection against shots from nine millimetre (mm) calibre bullets.
“It also provides protection from stabs caused by sharp implements, such as knives and others besides being able to reflect light as a protection to members on duty at night or in dark conditions.
“We give the whole of Malaysia based on priorities. Large contingents, such as in Johor we give 100 units because of the high risks involved similar to those posed by Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang,” he said.
Previously, Zainal said MPV members were only supplied with light reflective jackets that did not have safety features and this new quality safety vest was seen to boost the confidence of members while on duty.
He said there were 3,000 MPVs nationwide and about 6,000 units of safety vests were needed, in which, for the first phase, 800 units were given by the government through the 2018 Budget after undergoing endurance tests at the end of last year.
“If there is more, we also want the vests to be worn by personnel in other departments while on duty,” he added.
The last line is emblematic of the issue, such bullet/stab proof vests are needed as much as other equipment of the police like vehicles, firearms and communication gears hence it will take sometime for it be issued across the line.
It will also be good if personnel issued with the vests are also equipped with combat-shirt uniforms as our hot weather is very non-conducive to be wearing extra layer of clothing even for self protection. Perhaps by buying in bulk, the police and government will be able to reduce the cost of such vests.
— Malaysian Defence
View Comments (17)
Alamak,instead of buying a fix vest,why not just buy the vest only with pockets front n back its much more cheaper,it can be distributed to 6000 personnel easily,whilst the kevlar plates if its anti bullet for sure its anti stabbing..
The kevlar plates be it for anti stabbing or for anti bullet wirh different level can be issued on case by case basis....kan menjimatkan...mana ini STRIDE never do study ke.. ?
redshot
what?
RedSot, I don't understand. What's your point actually?
OOT
A French aggressor training provider is sourcing MB-339s for their fleet. We could try to interest them to buy our soon retiring MB-339s.
@joe. If the Frenchies want our MB 339s... Well and good. ✔️
@Taib
Its a private company thou (SEPECEM), they had recently bought a small fleet of ex RNZAF MB339s from Draken, another training provider. The airframe is still usable as I understand, so better to sell than letting them rot as museum pieces.
@RedSot
"instead of buying a fix vest,why not just buy the vest only with pockets front n back its much more cheaper,it can be distributed to 6000 personnel easily"
So how much effective these empty pocketed vest will be against a 9mm bullet? If we buy can afford to buy 6000 empty vest, can we also afford to buy the front and back plates for every 6000 of those vest on one go? Any estimated price to say yours is cheaper?
"The kevlar plates be it for anti stabbing or for anti bullet wirh different level can be issued on case by case basis….kan menjimatkan…"
Like other commenters said, what??? What kind of menjimatkn is that? U are suggesting some police will wear pocketed vest with bullet proof plates while other just wear empty pocketed vest right? Whats the difference between what the police are doing now??? Also higher grade plates leads to higher price so your menjimatkn statement does not ring any logic bells in me....
Haha....well i speak too fast then so none understand or not everbody knows that,the vest is just an ordinary vest meant to be inserted with a kevlar plate front n back.....and the thickness of the plate will depends on the ops of the day..
But for PDRM vest I dont see any plate pockets infront....so it must be a fix on kevlar plate attached to the vest and not detachable one.....if it is so STRIDE should do a simple study on it so rhat rhe vesr ONLY can be distributed to 6000 personnel....and the kevlar plates can be rotated to rhose on duty only..
Reply
No, the ballistic protection on these vest are soft inserts. The one you're talking about is plate carriers which is more suitable for those in patrol in jungles or boats. Of course we get STRIDE to do it but why would we want to waste money on things already available commercially
@ joe
that is old old news.
Specem bought all of the Draken MB-339CB (2+9 units) in march 2019. nearly 2 years ago.
they are currently not looking for more MB-339. Those MB-339CB are the same ones once offered to Malaysia by RNZAF, but we choose to buy new MB-339CM fitted with old MB-339AM engines.
@...
The article I read about it came out recently so :shrugs:.
It could be they were buying long ago and only recently were commissioned for use. In any case, there are interest in these planes so its something for the powers that be to take note since we're retiring these planes. If it works in our favour, why not?