Kuchingites reminded of likely traffic congestion during three-day WIEF 2017

KUCHING: Police have assured the public that they would do all they can to control the traffic here during the threeday 13th World Islamic Economic Forum ( WIEF), which kicks off today.

It is expected that certain areas across the city centre would experience congestion throughout the three days.

“We ( police) will do the best that we can to ensure that all road users would be able to reach their destinations comfortably,” said Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Amer Awal during a high-tea session with the media at Riverside Majestic Hotel here yesterday.

He also pointed out that selected hotels hosting the local and international VVIP guests had their respective lobbies installed with walkthrough metal detector units.

“WIEF 2017 delegates and other hotel guests would have to go through the metal detectors as a precautionary measure – an exercise to meet the standards of an international event,” he said, adding that the hosting venue Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) had also been equipped with a similar unit to avoid and deter anyone from bringing in illegal items to the forum.

On anothernote, Amerdisclosed that 1,402 Royal Malaysia Police ( PDRM) personnel would be working 24/7 to ensure safety and security here throughout the three days.

“We also deploy two helicopters to conduct air surveillance from morning till evening,” he said, adding that night surveillance via helicopter would depend on the weather.

“The Marine Police are also deploying their assets and conducting patrols within the vicinity of BCCK,” he said.

Amer also pointed out that personnel from the Special Tactical Unit ( UTK), Federal Reserve Unit ( FRU), Royal Malaysian Air Force ( RMAF) and General Operations Force ( GOF) from the peninsula would also be brought in.