Musa urges cooperation with police

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Musa (second right) talking to policemen who were wounded in Ops Daulat as Hamza (right) looks on.

Musa (second right) talking to policemen who were wounded in Ops Daulat as Hamza (right) looks on.

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman urged the people to support and cooperate with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in Sabah to allow police officers to better carry out their activities.

Speaking at the 206th Police Day at the Kepayan police headquarters here yesterday, Musa said the state government was satisfied with the level of professionalism, dedication and fighting spirit reflected by the security forces such as PDRM in carrying out their duties, including in handling the incursion and ambush in Semporna and the success of Ops Daulat in Lahad Datu.

He pointed out that there were irresponsible quarters who attempted to belittle the noble duties and sacrifices of the security forces in handling the Sulu terrorists’ incursion which has caused the loss of lives of some security forces.

“However, I stress that the reality has proven that we are seeing Malaysians from different background being united and giving extraordinary moral support, and praying for the success, safety and well-being of our security forces.”

Musa also lauded the success of PDRM Sabah contingent in their effort in reducing the crime index in the state.

Last year’s statistics showed a decline in the crime index for both violent and property crimes from 6,617 cases in 2011 to 6,003 cases last year, marking a decrease of 614 cases or 9.28 per cent.

Street crimes have also decreased from 871 cases to 453 cases in year 2009 and 2012 respectively, a reduction of 418 cases or 47.99 per cent.

“Statistics show that PDRM are capable of meeting the demand of the community who are increasingly aware of their safety and well-being.”

In addition, PDRM Sabah have also received 34 units of Kawasaki Ninja 250 cc motorcycles from the Ministry of Home Affairs to be used in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and other districts such as Keningau and Kudat, in efforts to step up the crime prevention programme with motorcycle patrol.

“I believe with the motorcycle patrol unit (URB), PDRM Sabah will be able to bring the crime rate in the state to a minimum.

“It will also boost the people’s confidence of the safety in our country, especially Sabah,” Musa said.

He acknowledged that policing was not an easy task due to the increasingly complex challenges in terms of crimes, as well as threats from terrorists.

“All these demand security agencies, particularly PDRM, to handle (the challenges) in a manner that is firm, strategic and effective to safeguard the safety of the country and public order.”

At a press conference after the event, Musa thanked the federal government on behalf of the state government and people for setting up the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), which would reflect the safety and peace in Sabah.

As to who will lead ESSCOM, Musa said the decision would be left to the Prime Minister and he believed a name had been submitted to the latter.

Meanwhile, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said a brigade would be set up in the east coast under Esscom, comprising over 1,000 General Operations Force (GOF) police.

“The figure has not included the army yet,” he added.

This will add on to the present GOF brigade in Kinarut with around 2,500 officers, Hamza said.

Since the Sulu terrorists’ incursion, the police have shifted their priority to Lahad Datu.

At the same time, the police force also managed to control the crime rates in the state and successfully reduced the crime rate in the first two months this year.