Fatimah wants more patrol schemes formed in residential areas

KUCHING: The voluntary patrol scheme ( SRS) has been effective in reducing crime rates, thus more should be set up in residential areas.

Furthermore, the number of SRS that have been set up is less than the number of neighbourhood watch areas ( KRT), said Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.

In giving a breakdown at the launching of Jom Ronda SRS 1Malaysia on Saturday night at Kampung Samariang Batu near here, she said there are 961 KRT and only 476 SRS in Sarawak, while Kuching has 206 KRT and 105 SRS.

“According to deputy Gita Police Station chief SM Mohamad Din, during the patrol just now, the number of crimes in Samariang Batu has markedly decreased, especially with regards to motorcycle thefts, drugs and house break-ins. Thus I would like to encourage more communities to form SRS, more SRS formed within KRT.”

She pointed out that under the Neighbourhood Watch Act 2012, SRS patrollers can conduct roadblocks and check on suspicious persons in the area.

Fatimah, who joined in the patrol after the launch noted the interaction between members, which contributes to unity.

“The government is encouraging the formation of SRS and KRT, and any interested community can get assistance from Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN). KRT is important because it focuses on unity. Various activities can be carried out via KRT which contribute to unity within the community.”

This is important because some communities are made up of people from different races and religious backgrounds, she said.

“We want to continue to be known as a City of Unity and Sarawak as a peaceful state where people of various races, ethnic groups and religious backgrounds can live together harmoniously.”

The event held concurrently nationwide was launched by the Prime Minister in Kuala Lumpur.

The one held in Kampung Samariang Batu was participated by 156 people divided into four groups for the patrol that night.

JPNIN state deputy director Esther Dingkawan and JPNIN Kuching Division officer Abdul Rasid Mahsin were present at the event.