The next time someone tries to attack a Road Transport Department (JPJ) enforcement officer, the person may get a Jet Li-like response ... minus the Kung-fu.

New recruits are being trained in martial arts, a combination of Karate and Silat, at the Transport Academy in Melaka, its director Wan Idrus Wan Sariff told Bernama today.

The training was introduced and made compulsory in 2004.

The academy, which was opened in 2001, is located in an area surrounded by rubber and oil palm plantations in the outskirts of the city.

Apart from martial arts, the academy also conducts induction courses and skills training for the would- be officers.

Chased with parang

Over the years, there have been numerous incidents were JPJ enforcement officers have been attacked while carrying out their duty.

Earlier this month, there was a case where five men armed with parang set upon several officers when they were checking a lorry believed to be overloaded with coal near Ipoh, Perak.

However, the four officers managed to escape unhurt after they fled the scene and sought refuge at a police station some 2km from the scene of the incident.

There have also been cases where JPJ enforcement officers have been rammed with vehicles by those hoping to evade the law.

Elaborating, Wan Idrus said the martial arts training module only involves hand combat or its Malay term Tempur Tanpa Senjata (TSS).

"When an attack takes place, the trainee is taught to avoid and nuetralise the attack without injuring the assailant except under grave circumstances," he said.

"In TTS, the trainees are started off with exercises, leg and hand movements, techniques to lock, break and nuetralise (assailants).

"Don't think it will be easy to attack a JPJ officer, if they are attacked, they will retaliate to defend themselves," he warned

Wan Idrus said among the trainers, there are several with black belts and a few are even training national Silat exponents.

Firearms training

Since 2004, some 900 enforcement officers in their early 20s have undergone the TSS training.

Wan Idrus said during their stint at the academy, positive values are also cultivated in the trainees so that they will become officers who are efficient and possess strong morals.

Once the construction of the shooting gallery is completed, trainees will also undergo firearms training, he added.

At present, he said not all officers are given firearms but there will be at least one officer with a gun during every operation.