DBKK, police to strengthen security on Gaya Street

KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and the police will step up security along Gaya Street here following two cases of robberies and theft last week.

Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah said DBKK would work closely with the police to address such incidents and ensure the safety of the people,” he said.

“The safety of the public who come to the city is our priority, especially those who visit the Gaya Street night market on weekends,” he added in a statement on Tuesday.

A 50-year-old bank worker was assaulted and robbed in a back alley in the city centre last Friday.

The suspect was caught on video pursuing, dragging and beating the victim with a stick during the 6.30am robbery.

She suffered injuries to her head and body, and lost RM5,000 including a smartphone and cash.

After receiving a report from the victim on Saturday, police arrested a 29-year-old suspect on Sunday.

Last Thursday, police also nabbed a foreigner after committing robbery and theft in the state capital.

Both suspects are from Kampung Pondo, Pulau Gaya.

Sabin said he was confident such incidents would be dealt with through close cooperation with the police.

“At the same time, we advise the public to be careful at all times and remain alert to your surroundings, especially at night,” he said.

Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui said the frequent street assaulted robberies in Kota Kinabalu recently are causing people to have serious concerns about community security in the state capital.

“KKCCCI urges the police to take a serious view and take positive measures to solve the problem to ensure that people will not live in fear,” he said in a statement.

Lui said the increasing trend of crime, especially street assaults and robberies is worrying and frightening.

The police need to develop more effective countermeasures to deal with these threats, and both police and DBKK need to improve the current situation.

He emphasized that almost everyone believes that crime is a big problem.

Other than threatening people’s safety, public security issues have also become a thorn in domestic and foreign tourists and investors.

KKCCCI believes that the police should strengthen patrols and supervision of trouble-prone places, especially during festival.

“We need to arrange police forces to carry out patrol prevention and control, comprehensively improve the city’s police visibility and management rates, as crime prevention efforts to crack down criminals,” he said.

Lui said that KK city folks are willing to cooperate with the police and provide any possible information and assistance.

“However, relying on the cooperation of the people alone is not enough, we hope that the police can also give us a cooperative response and establish closer ties and communication channels.

“We believe through cooperation and work together to maintain community safety.

“The government should also increase funding to support the work of police departments,” he added.