CP: Have no fear of N. Koreans here, their whereabouts known
KUCHING: Sarawakians should not feel nervous about the presence of North Korean citizens in the state as the police are constantly monitoring them to ensure they do not pose a security threat.
State Police Commissioner Datuk Mazlan Mansor said this was because the exact whereabouts of the more than 100 North Koreans working in the state were known to the police.
“The majority of them are employed as labourers at construction sites in Lawas, Kuching and Samarahan, as well as several bridge construction sites as this is apparently their ( North Koreans) expertise.
“Some of them have been here for a long time and have never posed any kind of threat, so Sarawakians should not feel worried about their presence. Moreover, we know where all of them are and are always monitoring them,” he told reporters after officiating at the annual general meeting of the state Police Family Association ( Perkep) here yesterday.
He said the police would continue to gather intelligence on North Koreans here to ensure none of them were involved in elements that could threaten security.
Mazlan also disclosed that the police were working with the Immigration Department and Malaysia Airports Berhad to ensure all entry and exit points in the state were tightly controlled following the decision to bar North Korean citizens from entering or leaving the country.
“Our exit and entry points are always tightly controlled, and we will continue to do so and work with all relevant agencies following the directive.”
On the recent arrest of two police personnel by the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission ( MACC) during an anti-graft operation, the police commissioner said anyone who tarnished the good image of the force would have to face the music.
“The arrests were made in connection with an old case which was under investigation by MACC. Now that the investigation has been completed, the next course of action is to arrest and then charge them in court,” he said.
The pair, an ASP and a corporal, was reported to be among seven persons picked up by MACC officers on Monday for receiving bribes to not take action against those employing illegal immigrants.
The other five persons arrested were factory and outlet operators of various businesses based in Kuching, Sibu and Miri who are alleged to have harboured illegal foreigners and offering kickbacks to enforcement officers to refrain from taking action against them.
The majority of them are employed as labourers at construction sites in Lawas, Kuching and Samarahan, as well as several bridge construction sites as this is apparently their (North Koreans) expertise. Datuk Mazlan Mansor, state Police Commissioner