KUCHING: Sarawak police are ready for the 12th state election, said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim.
“We have enough manpower with about 7,000 policemen ready to perform their duties,” he told a press conference at the Senior Police Officer’s Mess of Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) here on Tuesday (Oct 26).
He had just officiated at the presentation of food basket assistance to the needy and retired policemen at the venue.
Mazlan added that the Sarawak police had already made intensive preparations for the state election which would be unique from past elections.
“We had our meetings and discussions (on the matter). Needless to say, we are ready to carry out our duties during the coming election.
“In terms of manpower, we have enough men – about 7,000 of them are ready. Should there be a need for more, we will bring in more. For the meantime, Sarawak has enough manpower and assets,” he said.
Mazlan assured that if the election was announced any time soon, the Sarawak police were well prepared for it.
Since the country was still facing the Covid-19 pandemic, he pointed out that the police would follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by National Security Council (NSC) and the Election Commission (EC) on the voting procedures.
“We hope that the voters going to the polling centres will always abide by the SOPs in place,” he said.
Recently, speculations have been rife that the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) will be dissolved before the end of this month, thus paving the way for a state election.
The term of the current DUN was scheduled to end on June 6. It first met on June 7, 2016 after the 11th State Election five years ago.
Currently, Sarawak cannot hold its state election due to the Emergency Order (EO) effective Aug 2, 2021 till Feb 2 next year.
However, Federal Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Parliament) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has said the existing laws allowed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, after consultation with the Yang Di Pertua Negeri, to lift the Emergency Order (EO) earlier than scheduled.
