New Keningau top cop seeks to further reduce crime
KENINGAU: Sabah Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Malek Haji Harun reminded every policeman to always be prepared for any possible threats that might occur.
He said the incident that happened in Lahad Datu and Semporna should remind the police in this state to be alert at all times.
“In addition to maintaining security at Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) and ESSZone, policemen from the district police headquarters must be ready to face any eventuality that may threaten their safety,” he said at the handing over of duty of the district police chief at the district police headquarters here, yesterday.
He said this step was to ensure that there was no repeat of the intrusion incident in Lahad Datu and Semporna that happened early last year, which also claimed the lives of security personnel during the incident.
Meanwhile, he said the fight against crime i n the state needed the cooperation of various parties, and not on the shoulders of the security forces alone.
He said without the cooperation of all parties, crimes would escalate.
“I also want to advise members of the police force to always be alert even though the district is not included in ESSCom and ESSZone. Members should be more farsighted, including watching every gestures and intention of the enemy,” he said.
He also congratulated DSP Douglas Nyeging Taong who has been appointed as Keningau police chief and promoted to Deputy Superintendent, and requested that all police officers and personnel here to cooperate and provide unwavering support to him.
Earlier in his speech, Douglas expressed hope that the cooperation from officers and personnel could guarantee security in this area.
At the same time, the former Labuan deputy district police chief said the continuation of cooperation was needed to combat and curb crimes.
He also pledged that the Royal Malaysia Police and the Keningau police headquarters would be better and greater and be more respected by the community.
As the new OCPD, he also sought to reduce criminal cases in the area in collaboration with his police officers, personnel and members of the public.
Meanwhile, former acting district police chief ASP Merbin Anak Lisa said crime in the district in the first eleven months of this year had dropped by seven cases with a total of 130 cases compared to last year’s of 137 cases.
He said the decline in crime was the result of cooperation from the public.
Merbin, who was also the head of the District Management Department here, expressed hope that all officers and personnel would provide cooperation and support to the new police chief, in addition to working as a team to tackle crimes.
Abdul Malek witnessed the handover of duty by f ormer acting district police chief Merbin to the new Keningau police chief, Douglas.