Salehuddin (rear left) and his men conduct the trial session for the new airboat.
SIBU: The State Marine Police is planning to set up a police station at Bakun hydroelectric dam to strengthen the presence of security forces there.
Its commander ACP Salehuddin Mat Zaman said this was to ensure that Bakun, as an important state asset, is well-protected, and that a working paper for the purpose has been submitted to Bukit Aman for approval.
“At the moment, security at the dam is manned by auxiliary police personnel engaged by Sarawak Energy Berhad, but there is a need for regular police force to be stationed there permanently.
“As soon as we get the approval, we will send our assets and men to Bakun,” he told reporters when met at the Marine Police Tactical Base here yesterday.
Salehuddin was on a working visit here yesterday as part of a trial run for a recently-received airboat – the state Marine Police’s latest asset.
The hovercraft-type airboat, costing RM1.4 million, will be used to conduct patrols along the Rajang River from Sibu up to Kanowit, Song, Kapit and Belaga for the time being, he said.
He added the boat, which is suitable for navigating rivers, lakes and dams, will be deployed in Bakun and Batang Ai in the future.
On yesterday’s trial run, Salehuddin said it was to determine the speed, fuel consumption, stability and endurance of the new boat.
“We will make recommendations to Bukit Aman based on the trial session and from there, the decision will be made whether to purchase more such boats to be used in Sarawak.”