Chandra launching Ops Selamat X at Jalan Kolam in Foh Sang, Luyang yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu police contingent (IPD KK) is hoping that there will be no road fatality recorded in this year’s Ops Selamat X.
City police chief ACP M. Chandra said previous Ops Selamat had recorded road fatalities, especially during the festive celebration.
“In Ops Selamat VI in 2015, we recorded 433 road accidents with four road fatalities, while 430 road accidents and four casualties were recorded in Ops Selamat VIII in 2016.
“So this year we are keeping our fingers crossed that no road fatality will be reported in Ops Selamat X,” he said at the launch of Ops Selamat X in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration at Foh Sang in Luyang, here yesterday.
Chandra said the purpose of Ops Selamat was to prevent road accidents and fatalities, especially during festive season, as most roads would be busy as everyone would be heading back home or for holidays.
Apart from focusing on road safety campaign, he said the operation would also see an increase in the number of police patrols around housing areas to prevent criminal activity, and to ease traffic flow.
He said about 1,000 police officers and personnel would be on duty during the operation, which began on Jan 21 until Feb 6.
“The increase in police presence is a proactive approach to protect the community and their properties when they are away for their holiday.
“We want the community to have a safe journey home and not to worry about their homes as police will carry out patrols around their areas,” he said.
Chandra also reminded those who were planning to return to their home town to inform the police so patrols can be carried out in their areas.