‘Claim of terrorists infiltrating Sibu not true’

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ACP Shafie Ismail

SIBU: Members of the public are warned not to spread fear with the rumour of terrorists infiltrating the town.

Speaking to thesundaypost who called on him for clarification yesterday, Sibu police chief ACP Shafie Ismail believed such a rumour had surfaced on Friday because members of the public had seen a police helicopter hovering in low altitude with beaming headlights at about 8.30pm.

Claims then started circulating that terrorists had infiltrated the town after four of them had escaped from a neighbouring country.

Some claimed there was a jail breakout.

The rumour then started going viral on Facebook and social networking devices like ‘whatsapp’ and ‘We Chat’.

In view of this, Shafie assured the public that the helicopter was just carrying out a normal crime check from the air.

“The helicopter has flown in from Kuching to back up crime checks in Sibu. The team will be here for a few days, and they will continue to help our Sibu team out,” he explained.

Shafie further calmed members of the public by saying the crime index had dropped and returned to a well-controlled level like it was last year.

He urged members of the public not to cause unnecessary fear by making baseless rumours.

“Don’t spread such fear; it might carry serious consequences,” he appealed.

Thankfully, a few responsible members of the public took the trouble to check with the police and called for a clam in social networks, explaining that it was just a routine crime check.

One housewife told thesundaypost that she had locked all doors and windows of her house on Friday night after hearing the rumour.

Shafie further warned that the rumour would paint a bad security image of the town, nullifying the recent efforts by police to tighten security measures in the town.

The police chief therefore called on members of the public to work together with the police for the good of peace and harmony in the town.