READY, AIM...: Salahuddin fires a pistol to officially declare open the shooting competition at the police firing range. From right are Ahmad Sofian, Acryl and Roslan. — Photo by Kong Jun Liong.
KUCHING: There have been no reported cases of illegal firearms being smuggled into the state from neighbouring countries, said Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.
Acryl said stringent monitoring along the state’s borders had prevented the inflow of illicit firearms, although he conceded that there were ‘one or two’ incidents of weapons being brought into the state.
“The only case detected by us thus far is the unlicensed possession of air rifles by individuals, who usually purchase the weapons to keep as a hobby.
“Our normal course of action is to detain the offender and seize the weapon. To avoid arrest, owners of weapons such as air rifles, crossbows and harpoons should ensure they have the necessary permits to possess them,” said Acryl.
He was speaking to reporters following the conclusion of a shooting competition held yesterday at the police firing range in Batu Kawah in conjunction with the 205th Police Day, which was officiated by Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin.
On a separate matter, Acryl advised home owners who plan to return to their longhouse to celebrate Gawai to notify their neighbours as well as the police of their holiday plans to minimise chances of a break-in.
“Inform your neighbours to help keep an eye on your house, as well as the nearest police station so that a patrol car can conduct checks during your absence,” he said, adding the police will also be conducting road checks to ensure road users adhere to the laws during the course of the festive period.
Those present during the shooting competition yesterday included state Police Management Department head Datuk Ahmad Sofian Mohd Yassin, state CID chief SAC Zulkifli Hassan, Kuching OCPD ACP Roslan Bek Ahmad, VIPs and invited guests.