KUCHING: There is a reshuffle at the top in the state’s police force.
Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata (right) is now the acting Sarawak Police Commissioner (CP).
He is taking over from outgoing CP Datuk Aidi Ismail (left) who will take up a new posting on Feb 21 as the director of the Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department.
Sarawak’s top cop position was handed over by outgoing Datuk Aidi Ismail to his deputy commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata on Friday (Feb 11).
The handing over of duties today (Feb 11) was witnessed by Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department chief Datuk Azri Ahmad at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess at the Sarawak Contingent police headquarters (IPK).
Azri praised Aidi for his contribution to the contingent during the COVID-19 pandemic in his almost two-year term as the state’s top cop.
“He has carried out his tasks and responsibilities with dedication to ensure that safety and public order is always maintained so that the community can live in peace and harmony.
“This was proven true as there were no reports of public disorder throughout the 12th Sarawak election in December last year,” he said.
Azri also congratulated Aidi on his new appointment at Bukit Aman, and expressed confidence that he would come out with effective crime prevention programmes.
Meanwhile, Aidi in his speech, expressed his gratitude to Bukit Aman for his new appointment and thanks the contingent for its undivided support and cooperation given to him.
“Mancha is a man with vast experience and I believe that he is able to shoulder the responsibilities of acting CP. Hence, I would like everyone to give the same support to Mancha as was given to me during my term.
“I also want to remind personnel to take care of the force’s image, perform their duties with full trust and stay away from activities which can tarnish their image,” he said.
Later at a press conference, Aidi shared his experiences as Sarawak’s No. 1 cop with the media.
“A month after my appointment (as CP), the first phase of the movement control order (MCO) was imposed. I had to put in efforts and work with government agencies, especially the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), to curb the transmission of COVID-19.
“Also, I had the opportunity to work during the Sarawak election and thankfully, it went smoothly without any untoward incident. It was all thanks to the public who complied with the standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said.
With Sarawak’s COVID-19 cases increasing recently, he reminded the public to comply with the SOPs, always taking care of their safety and not taking things for granted.
On crime prevention, Aidi said it is not just the police’s responsibility as they needed the community to provide information on illegal activities.
He said that during his term, police received a lot of public tipoffs and assured the informers that their identities would be protected.
The ceremony today also saw the handing over of Persaturan Keluarga Polis (Perkep) Sarawak chairwoman duties from Datin Raja Asaudat Raja Muda to Datin Jennita William. The ceremony was witnessed by Azri’s wife Datin Norliah Othman at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess.
Jennita will assume the position of acting Perkep Sarawak chairwoman.
