IGP: Police need better technology to fight terrorism
KOTA KINABALU: Allocations to enhance technologies, logistics and counterterrorism operations are on the police’s wish list for the 2018 Budget.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the force had made several proposals to strengthen areas related to innovation and technology.
“We hope the government will consider these proposals, especially in enhancing the use of information and communications technology, in particular those related to cyber and social media, which have become a problem to us.”
He said this at Sabah’s honours and awards investiture ceremony in conjunction with the 64th birthday celebration of Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
On terrorism, Fuzi said the government was mindful and had approved funds for the force’s human capital and human resource needs.
“Allocations for the Counter Messaging Centre (CMC) is, however, needed, too, as it is connected to our efforts to combat the spread of Islamic State ideology,” he said, adding that the government had approved designations and certain allocations for the force to conduct monitoring nationwide.
With the establishment of CMC, Fuzi hoped the police would be able to fight extremist ideologies in the country, Southeast Asian region and globally through a counter-narrative approach.
On whether there was a specific wish list under the 2018 Budget for the Eastern Sabah Security Command to counter kidnapping and militancy threats, Fuzi said these security matters were given the highest attention.
“Terrorism and kidnappings in relation to Abu Sayyaf is not only under the (supervision) of Bukit Aman.
“We are sharing information with other agencies, such as the Armed Forces, to ensure the effectiveness of our efforts to fight terrorism.
“We are following the developments in Marawi City and the movement of remnants of the Abu Sayyaf group.
“We would like to congratulate Sabah police, particularly Kunak police, for defeating a member (of the Abu Sayyaf) on Sept 29.
“We are always ready to prevent any movement or activity that can jeopardise the security in the east coast (of Sabah).”