KOTA KINABALU: Police will conduct a special operation to crack down on kereta sapu (illegal taxis) and mini buses that simply stop and pick up or drop off passengers by the roadside in Inanam.
Deputy city police chief Supt Mohd Azhar Hamin said the police would also carry out the operation on a larger scale to nab illegal immigrant hawkers in Inanam township.
He added that the construction of a new police station in Inanam had also been approved and was now pending for the budget.
Azhar said that during the courtesy call by Jawatankuasa Kemasyarakatan Dalam Bandar (JKDB) of Inanam, led by its chairman Datuk Andrew Lim Cheng Eng at Kota Kinabalu District Police Headquarters (IPD) here yesterday.
The purpose of the courtesy call was to convey security issues and illegal activities in Inanam to the police.
JKDB Inanam has requested the police to set up a police booth between Inanam New Township, KK Taipan and Inanam Point for better accessibility by the public, as well as to patrol the aforementioned more frequently especially during night time.
Lim also raised the issue of traffic congestion at Jalan Tuaran-Kota Kinabalu near the roundabout at Inanam township.
Lim believed that the traffic jam was caused by public transportation drivers who simply pick up or drop off passengers by the roadside, instead at proper bus stops.
“The police and Road Transport Department (RTD) has undeniably monitored the area, but the same thing happens again when the enforcement personnel are absent or have left the location.”
On a similar note, Lim also voiced his concern about the kereta sapu in Inanam.
He said several locations in town have become the terminal for kereta sapu, whereby the illegal taxi drivers would monopolize the parking lots.
In addition, Lim has urged the police to inspect the citizenship status of hawkers operating at night market, traditional tamu and kaki lima (five-foot walkway) in Inanam New Township.
“There have been reports about doubtful citizenship status of hawkers at night market and traditional tamu in Inanam town as well as night market licence being rented to individuals with doubtful citizenship status.”
Lim also hoped that the police would keep an eye out for illegal cyber premises in Inanam.
After, listening to the issues raised by JKDB members, said the police would conduct a special operation to take action on mini bus drivers who simply stop by the roadside, especially at the roundabout in town, to ease the traffic congestion in Inanam.
At the same time, he said the police would plan an operation to nab kereta sapu within this week.
He said the Traffic Department of Kota Kinabalu IPD has launched Op Sapu in the city area and has successfully reduced the number of kereta sapu in Kota Kinabalu.
On JKDB’s request to have a police booth set up at a more central location, Azhar said the police leadership had proposed to build a police station in front of Telekom building in Inanam, which he believed would be able to cover the township.
He said the proposal had been approved and was now waiting for the budget to be allocated.
As for the call for more frequent patrols, Azhar assured that it would be done by the police personnel at the existing Inanam police station, given that there have been motorcycle theft and snatch theft happening in Inanam area.
On hawkers with doubtful citizenship status, Azhar said the police would plan a larger operation to nab illegal hawkers in Inanam.
At the same time, Azhar hoped that businesses in Inanam could work together with the police to patrol the area and help out in fighting against criminal activities.
He pointed out that there were only about 30 police personnel at Inanam police station to look after the whole town and over 40 residential areas.
“It will be easier if businessmen also help us in ensuring safety (of Inanam township).”
Azhar also assured there was no cyber cafes used for gambling purposes in Inanam.
“If there is, please supply the information to Inanam police station chief and we will take action.”
Meanwhile, Inanam police station chief Sub Inspector Mamud Hassan said the traffic congestion from Inanam leading to Bukit Padang and Country Heights could only be resolved if the Public Works Department expanded the road.
He said that in response to JKDB Inanam deputy chairman Johnny YW Ng to come up with measures to ease the traffic congestion in Inanam durng peak hours in the morning and evening.
Mamud also asked JKDB would invite the police from Inanam police station to attend the committee’s monthly meeting to discuss issues, answer any questions on the spot and to share the latest developments on police operations and success stories.
Also present were JKDB Inanam secretary Joseph Chong and committee member Ticky Lai.