BY GABRIEL LIHAN & ALLAN JAY
KUCHING: Police here have established 13 special units for ‘Op Selamat 18’ to curb traffic congestion and to ensure crime is under control in Kuching District.
Kuching OCPD ACP Ahsmon Bajah said the teams, led by 13 senior police officers and 97 rank-and-file personnel, would be assisted by agencies such as Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU).
Besides controlling the traffic flow, these special units would also increase patrols around residential areas, 24-hour convenience stores as well as places of attraction.
“Our main priority is to make sure the public can go about their day-to-day routines or anything related to Hari Raya.
“At the same time, there will be police units patrolling around residential areas, business premises, houses of worship and offices to ensure peace and safety in Kuching,” he said after launching the Kuching police headquarters (IPD) Op Selamat 18 in front of MyDin Petra Jaya here on Friday (April 29).
He urged the public to inform the police if their homes or business premises would be empty throughout the festive period through the VSP app (Volunteer Smartphone Patrol) or the hotline at 082-244444 or head directly to the nearest police station.
Meanwhile, ACP Ashmon pointed out that they would be focusing on three loactions prone to congestion and accidents.
They are the Jalan Setia Raja roundabout, Jalan Simpang Tiga roundabout and Kuching-Samarahan Expressway.
Elaborating further, he said there was an increasing number of people coming to Kuching lately, following the recent relaxation of standard operating procedures.
Nevertheless, he said the crime rate was under control. “We admit that there are cases such as burglaries and vehicle thefts, however, these are cases that are currently under control.
“Crime in Kuching has declined due to the efforts of the police and the community.”
