SPECIAL BRANCH

The Special Branch is headed by a Director with the rank of Commissioner of Police and assisted by three Deputy Directors, namely the Deputy Director I, Deputy Director II and Deputy Director E1. The organisational structure is further supported by nine Chief Assistant Directors, each heading their respective divisions.

In line with its role and responsibilities in policing, the principal functions of the Special Branch are as provided under Sections 3(3) and 20(3) of the Police Act 1967. In carrying out these functions and responsibilities, Special Branch officers and personnel are also vested with police powers as provided under the applicable laws.

HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL BRANCH

• 1918 – The Civil Security Service (CSS) was established under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) during the British administration in Malaya.
• 1939 – The CSS was renamed the Malayan Security Service (MSS). The MSS was tasked with obtaining intelligence on the activities and strategies of the Japanese military in Malaya and Southeast Asia.
• 1948 – The MSS was subsequently renamed the Special Branch (SB) as part of the British effort to restructure its strategies and adopt proactive measures, particularly in addressing the threat posed by communist terrorists in Malaya. At the time, the SB functioned as an intelligence body tasked with collecting and assessing information on communist terrorists and subsequently exploiting such intelligence to undertake measures to counter the communist terrorist threat.
• The renaming of the MSS to the Special Branch (SB) was undertaken in response to the communist terrorist threat following the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) officially declaring an armed struggle against the British Government in Malaya on 20 June 1948. This followed the British declaration of a State of Emergency throughout Malaya on 18 June 1948 to address the threat posed by communist terrorists.
• 1952 – The Special Branch was formally recognised as a department within the Federation of Malaya Police Force.

VISION

To be a modern, competent, respected and integrity-driven intelligence agency in addressing threats to national security.

MISSION

To produce quality security intelligence by clarifying the dimensions of threats, providing advice and implementing effective enforcement measures to maintain the peace, public order and security of the nation.

OBJECTIVE

The Special Branch is responsible for collecting, assessing and processing security intelligence to uphold the law and public order, as well as to maintain the peace and security of Malaysia.

SPECIAL BRANCH DIRECTION

On 30 January 2026, YDH CP Dato’ Sri Ibrahim bin Darus, Director of Special Branch, launched the Special Branch Direction Book as a reference manual for responding to the dynamic operating environment. The manual aims to ensure that all Special Branch officers and personnel uphold professional standards and are able to plan and execute their duties more effectively and with greater impact.