KUCHING: Sarawak’s crime situation is generally under control and its index rate has shown a slight decline in the first three months of the year.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail revealed that from Jan 1 to March 10, 860 cases were reported compared to last year’s figure of 1,932 in the same period.
This showed a decrease of 1,072 cases, equivalent to a 55 per cent drop.
“For violent crimes, Sarawak police recorded 111 cases in the same period compared to last year’s 233. This shows a decrease of 122 cases (52 pct).
“As for property crimes, 749 cases were recorded this year compared to last year’s 1,699, showing a decrease of 950 cases (56 pct),” he said in an exclusive interview with New Sarawak Tribune and its sister paper Suara Sarawak last Friday (March 12)
The categories for violent crime that showed a decrease this year were unarmed gang robbery (down by 60 cases), injuring (-23), unarmed robbery (-23), and rape (-16).
Meanwhile, the categories for property crime that showed a decrease were theft (-456), burglary (-271), motorcycle theft (-170), car theft (-50), and heavy machinery/lorry/van theft (-3).
Aidi stated that the drastic decline was due to the movement control order (MCO) implementation in Sarawak from March last year.
In a similar matter, the police are now focusing on roadblocks and standard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines compliance.
Sarawak police conducted a comprehensive study and found that there were still people who refused to put on face masks as well as entering premises without giving their personal details as required.
“Last Thursday, the compound rate was increased to RM10,000. It used to be a maximum of RM1,000.
“The latest compound rate is in line with Bukit Aman police headquarters directive to tighten roadblocks as many are still travelling between zones without valid reasons.”
Aidi explained that anyone slapped with the fine could appeal for a reduction through the Ministry of Health.
