The Home Ministry has explained that it dissolved three special police taskforces because they served overlapping functions with existing police units.

The three taskforces are the special taskforce for anti-vice, gaming and gangsterism (Stagg), special tactical intelligence narcotics group (Sting) and the special taskforce on organised crime (Stafoc).

All three were set up in 2014.

In a parliamentary written reply today, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Stagg was found to serve similar functions as the D7A (secret societies, gambling and vice division) and D7C (anti-human trafficking/smuggling of migrants division).

Sting served similar functions as the Bukit Aman narcotics criminal investigation department (JSJN), while those of Stafoc overlapped with the D9 (serious crime unit).

“All three taskforces received their own command and control from their superiors and were only given high profile cases.

“This caused double standards within the force, as the taskforces were seen to be more elite.

“With the dissolution of these taskforces, existing police units will be able to be restructured to enable more systematic and relevant command and control systems,” he said.

Muhyiddin added that such a decision also allowed for better distribution of human and financial resources, thus saving on government spending.

His explanation was in response to a query from Halimah Mohamed Sadique (BN-Kota Tinggi) as to why the three units were dissolved, and if the ministry had conducted a thorough study before doing so.

Last month, inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said that the Stagg, Sting and Stafoc would be up for a restructuring exercise.

It was not immediately clear at the time if they would be dissolved.

The police force is parked within the Home Ministry.