SOS smartphone application to fight crime
KOTA KINABALU: The government has urged Neighbourhood Watch Committees (KRT) in Sabah to support the newly introduced ‘SOS Save U & Me’ (SOS) smartphone application as a supporting medium to combat crime.
Minister in charge of national unity, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, said the SOS application is fully sponsored by Public Synergy Power Sdn Bhd, giving KRTs the benefit of sending emergency alert to all their registered members within a 5km radius.
“I believe SOS will be helping the KRTs to help each other after receiving the alert through their smartphone, while further information can be shared with the police.
“The SOS application is currently open for KRT members but the government will be holding road tours to introduce this application in district level,” he said at the launching of the SOS application at the Federal Administrative Complex here yesterday.
Also present yesterday were Community Development and Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman and Public Synergy Power Sdn Bhd director Eric Lo.
Jainab, during the press conference, said her ministry would be introducing the smartphone application to various non-governmental organisations, especially those related to drugs such as Pemadam.
She also welcomes Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme from corporate companies to contribute to the safety of the nation.
Lo, when explaining the SOS application, said the programme had been tested for two months in Selangor.
The launching was planned to be held in Sabah because he is a Sabahan, and he is giving the priority to Sabahans.
“It is easy to use this application, you just need to download from your smartphone, register and pre- register your favourite place.
“In case of emergency involving crime, just click the application and touch on SOS button, and after that you need to confirm it.
“Within a few seconds, signal will be given to all members of the application within 5km radius. Since this application is currently exclusive for KRT members, the other members will be able to help or contact the relevant authority.
“There will be a column in the application for the sender to give accurate location and mention what type of emergency is happening,” he said.
The SOS smartphone application is available for both Android and iOS features.
During the event, Kurup, who is also the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, handed over RM6,000 annual grant to each 21 newly registered KRT in Penampang, Tuaran and Kota Kinabalu.
A total of 25 senior citizens also received red packet and hamper from Kurup in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.