KUALA LUMPU, MALAYSIA: A special Royal Malaysia Police battalion will be deployed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from Thursday to ensure security.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said the 141 General Operations Force (GOF) personnel from Battalion 19, headed by Deputy Supt Hapka Mohd Said, would begin their duty at 7am at the KLIA.

He said the battalion would be assisted by an elite "Crisis Response Team" in the event of a crisis.

Musa said the special battalion was formed to provide round-the-clock security to prevent security breaches, undesirable acts and criminal activities at the KLIA.

"This is to ensure that the nation's image is not tarnished," he said in a statement here on Wednesday.

He said that the decision to station the special force at the KLIA was made following discussions with various government agencies operating in KLIA, adding that all agencies involved had agreed to cooperate to ensure the necessary safety aspects at the airport.

"The public and those who go to KLIA are advised not to be unduly worried and intimidated by the presence of the GOF personnel stationed there to ensure the airport's safety.

"They should instead give their fullest support and cooperation to the personnel to ensure the safety of KLIA," he added. -The Star