10,000 more cops deployed
Extra manpower to help keep the peace nationwide on polling day
KUALA LUMPUR: Around 10,000 additional police personnel have been deployed nationwide to bolster state police in preparation for polling day.
These personnel from Bukit Aman, the General Operations Force, marine police, Air Wing and other divisions would bring the number of uniformed staff on duty during polling day to 68,000.
“The number includes 18,000 Rela members and 3,700 police volunteers,” said Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Comm Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah.
“Rela personnel will mainly be directing traffic, while the volunteers will help man police stations,” he told reporters after briefing Federal Reserve Unit personnel on their GE14 duty yesterday.
Comm Zulkifli advised the public to go to the polling station early and leave the area after voting to avoid causing congestion.
“Please be aware of possible road closures or diversions that may be done to aid traffic flow.
“Carpooling is encouraged,” he added.
In Sandakan, Bernama quoted Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun as saying that the police had received 1,069 reports and made 17 arrests nationwide in connection with GE14 between nomination day and last Saturday.
He said 131 of the reports were received in Sabah and one person was arrested in Bongawan for impersonating a civil servant.
“No serious incidents occurred during the period and the situation is under control,” he told reporters after a visit to the Karamunting MPS Flats yesterday.
Mohamad Fuzi also said police were monitoring 1,131 potential troublemakers nationwide and that 150 of them were in Sabah.
Leaders and members of political parties and their supporters should help ensure a smooth general election, he said.
“They should also refrain from becoming emotional,” he added.