1,069 reports, 17 arrests nationwide — IGP
SANDAKAN: The police received 1,069 reports and made 17 arrests nationwide in connection with the general election campaign between April 28 and last Saturday, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
He said 131 of the reports were received in Sabah and one person was arrested in Bongawan for impersonating a civil servant.
“Security in Sabah is under control, the figure 131 is considered not serious and there were no serious cases involved,” he said.
“Our monitoring will continue through polling on Saturday,” he said to reporters after a visit to the Karamunting MPS Flats here yesterday.
Also present were Bukit Aman Narcotics CID director Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh and Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din.
Mohamad Fuzi said the police were monitoring 1,131 potential trouble-makers nationwide and that 150 of them were in Sabah.
“We have met some of these individuals and warned them not to do anything unlawful. We are monitoring the rest,” he said.
He said the police were ready to face any situation that could undermine security during the remaining days up to and during polling.
Mohamad Fuzi urged the leaders and members of political parties and their supporters to help ensure a smooth general election.
He said they should refrain from getting emotional and doing anything that could undermine security.
“The police are 100 per cent ready for election, to ensure that all places in Malaysia will remain peaceful. We are also ready for any possibility after election, especially in the East Coast of Sabah. We will ensure that the security is under control,” he said.
On the crime rate in Sandakan, Fuzi said it was under control and had reduced significantly.
“From January until April this year, the crime rate in Sandakan has reduced 13.7 per cent. This is an improvement from the same time (January to April) last year,” he said.
Fuzi said that such programme is held frequently for the police to get closer to the community in hope that the locals will collaborate and work together with the police in reducing the crime rate and reducing drugs problem.
“The police and local community should not be separated. That has been our motto for a long time because we need the help of the locals in fighting crime. So far, I am happy with the security condition in Sandakan that is well controlled,” he said.
Also present at the programme were Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din and Sandakan district police chief ACP Mohd Azhar Hamin.