GE14: KL, six states considered ‘hot’ — IGP

PARIT BUNTAR: The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and six states are considered as ‘ hot’ battlegrounds in the 14th General Election ( GE14), said Inspector- General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

He said the states are Selangor, Penang, Terengganu, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak.

“Police will be giving them extra attention to maintain public order,” he told a press conference after attending a ‘Crime and Drug Free Society’ programme here yesterday.

According to him, in Perak alone, 23 constituencies were deemed ‘ hot’ requiring close monitoring, among them Kuala Kangsar, Hilir Perak, Taiping and Ipoh.

“I have already said we will be closely monitoring 1,131 individual during this election, and as for Perak, we have identified 440 individuals as potential troublemakers. Of the 440 individuals, he said 23 would be watched under a ‘microscope’.”

Mohamad Fuzi said there would be an 8,700- strong police contingent in Perak for the election.

“I am conf ident that the leadership at Bukit Aman and at the state- level ( Perak) have everything in place to ensure all goes smoothly in Perak,” he said.

On the Anti-Fake News Act 2018 which came into force two days ago, Mohamad Fuzi said police were taking proactive steps and had formed special teams of investigators who have been placed under the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department and Criminal Investigation Department to handle such cases.

“If needed, we will form an additional division at Bukit Aman or set up branches at the state level to tackle fake news,” he said.

In his speech at the event, Mohamad Fuzi said 1,335 crime cases were recorded in Perak from January to April 10 as compared to 1,504 cases during the same period last year, a drop of 149 cases or 9.9 per cent.

“Police made 2,576 arrests in the first three months of this year in Perak as compared 2,639 arrests during the corresponding period last year,” he said. — Bernama