Tan (right) presents a memento to Mohd Irwan (left), witnessed by Lo. — Photo by Galileo Petingi

KUCHING (Dec 23): Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman and Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has been urged to push for deployment of more police personnel and assets in Sarawak.

Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang said a severe lack of police resources had hindered Padawan District Police Headquarters (IPD Padawan) and other areas in Sarawak from countering challenges effectively.

“For IPD Padawan, the police personnel would have to patrol vast areas covering Padawan up to Telaga Air.

“That’s why I always remind the Stampin MP to raise this matter in Parliament.

“Security falls under the federal government’s jurisdiction, and it’s crucial to address these shortages,” Lo said when officiating at the Program Bandar Selamat (Safety Dialogue) held at Kampung Haji Baki here today.

As such, Lo called on Chong to advocate for more police personnel, patrol cars, and closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) to enhance public safety in both the Batu Kitang state constituency as well as Stampin parliamentary constituency.

With sufficient resources, including police officers, patrol cars, and CCTVs, he said the crime rates in these areas can be significantly reduced.

Speaking on the programme, he said it features a dialogue on crime prevention and safety involving the police, Padawan District Council (MPP) and the local community.

He said the programme was crucial as it provides a platform for two-way communication between the public and the authorities.

“The collaboration between the MPP and the police is particularly timely. As Batu Kitang assemblyman, I observe that MPP consistently shows commitment to supporting initiatives like this.

“I also urge MPP to continue delivering the best services to the community, including ensuring that public areas are kept clear of overgrown vegetation, which could become hiding spots for criminals,” he said.

Online scams and other social media issues which have become more alarming, he added, have led to tragic incidents, including property fraud and other crimes.

“As such, we must always exercise caution when using social media applications. Never share personal information online to avoid falling victim to scams and crimes,” he said.

Also present at the event were MPP chairman Tan Kai and Padawan district police chief Supt Mohd Irwan Hafiz Md Radzi.