Public Order Manual Poman 1971 May 2026

Public Order Manual (POMAN) 1971 is a foundational operational directive used by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)

Snatch Squads:

Small groups of officers designed to break into a crowd, arrest perceived "ringleaders," and retreat quickly.

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Today, POMAN 1971 is largely a historical artifact, superseded by more transparent guidelines like the College of Policing’s authorized professional practice (APP) on public order. However, its DNA survives in how modern police forces balance the right to protest with the need to maintain public safety.

Joint Operations

: Outlines how the Army supports the Police when the latter’s resources are insufficient to handle a threat to public peace. Public Order Manual (POMAN) 1971 is a foundational

Target Identification: Police were instructed to maintain “history sheets” on political activists, journalists, and student leaders. The manual defined “anti-national elements” broadly, including anyone criticizing the Emergency.
Night Arrests: POMAN explicitly authorized arrests between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM, a tactic designed to maximize psychological shock and minimize public resistance.
Secrecy of Detention: Station House Officers (SHOs) were ordered not to inform families of the arrestee’s location for a minimum of 48 hours, a clear violation of existing legal procedure but justified under “operational security.”

: Discuss the "restricted" nature of such manuals. Many public order manuals are not fully public and operate under official secrecy acts. The Human Rights Balance

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Public Order Manual (POMAN) 1971 is an internal operational manual used by the Royal Malaysia Police