Lo: MPP, police always partners in fighting crime
KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council ( MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said he will parry with DAP’s criticism as a challenge to perform better in office.
He said DAP leaders had criticized him and the police for not working in tandem to combat crime in Padawan.
He cited DAP as irresponsible in raising public ire on the issue.
“This is not the culture we want in the political environment in Sarawak. I am going to work harder and do better,” Lo said, before a dialogue with Padawan police station officers at MPP yesterday.
He said MPP has engaged police in dialogues from time to time, only that in the past he did not announce it to the public as the discussion was private and confidential.
“MPP is not sitting down doing nothing. We always have closedoor meetings with the police. We work together very well,” he said.
He said crime in Padawan was under control but said it was impossible to eradicate crime completely.
He said education is key to combating crime – since with a sound education, citizens focus on work to live a better life. He reasoned that with a place in society for everyone, they will not resort to crime for survival.
Lo also thanked the community for its concern and help to combat crime.
“I am also warning those who are involved in illegal activities to cease because the long arm of the law will catch up with you,” said Lo.
Also present was Padawan police chief Supt Aidil Bolhassan who disclosed that crime has dropped from 907 cases in 2015 to 900 cases in 2016 (from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2016) in Padawan area.
In 2016, there were 29 ‘ fish machine’ cases of illegal gambling in Padawan. One in a case was fined RM8,000 by the court.
Meanwhile, Aidil said vehicle theft cases had increased 30 per cent in 2016 compared to 2015.