With pics by L. Manimaran
LENGGONG: Perak police are studying the need to provide special allowances and water transport facilities for policemen who are on duty at the Pangkor Island police station.
Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said he has instructed the Manjung district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamed Nordin Abdullah to take further action and investigate the matter, including the need to provide water transport.
"We did receive a complaint about it and we are studying the matter. In terms of suitability and the tasks that the policemen from Pangkor Island need to do, since they have to commute, back and forth from the island to the mainland (Lumut).
"We have indeed received a complaint about that and we are investigating. We will take action according to the appropriate channels," he said.
Mohd Yusri said this at a press conference after attending Taman Angkat Perak Contingent's Women's Aman Squad (Amanita) in Bukit Senyum Park here today.
The event was launched by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
He was commenting on the issue that was revealed by the social media channel Edisi Siasat about the predicament faced by the Pangkor Island policemen who requested an additional allowance for them.
This is following the increase in the price of ferry tickets and vehicle parking fees at the Marina Jetty which cost them RM149 monthly. Previously, there was special parking for them and they didn't have to pay for the parking ticket. They also need to pay ferry ticket which costs RM20 for a return ticket.
Based on that complaint, policemen stationed at Pangkor Island have to go to the Manjung District Police Headquarters (IPD) for various affairs and tasks At times, they have to spend up to RM349 per month.
The complaint also said that the Pangkor Island police station did not have water transport facilities to send prisoners or detainees to the Manjung IPD lock-up at night. They have to pay for a fishing boat with a price between RM50 and RM70.
Mohd Yusri, however, reminded policemen in the state to file reports according to official channel as it involved the welfare of the police force.
"Edisi Siasat is not an official medium for us. So I advise all policemen in the state to use the right channel so that we can improve our welfare," he said.