KOTA KINABALU: People should trust law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the state capital as their action has led to the swift arrests of those whocommit crimes, said Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Datuk Chan Foong Hin today.
Over the past few days, robberies, assaults and vandalism have occurred, causing concern among the public and prompting politicians to call for improvements to security measures.
Some suggestions include installing more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, reactivating the tourist police unit and establishing police beats.
"I have followed up with the mayor regarding the CCTV idea , and I was informed that there are 106 operating CCTV cameras," said Chan, who is deputy plantation and commodities minister.
"How many more CCTVs are needed? We need to sit down and discuss this rather than just issuing press statements.
"The same applies to police beats and other suggestions.
"It should be left to the police to determine their necessity. If required, we will seek an allocation to implement them."
He said this after launching an electrical and home fair at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.
He urged the public to trust enforcement agencies.
He said police would have personnel and vehicles stationed around the clock, including in tourist spots such as Gaya Street.
"I was also informed that the police have demolished squatter settlements as part of crime-prevention measures.
"However, we should not generalise and discriminate against those from squatter settlements as being bad people."
He mentioned operations conducted in Taman Mutiara, Taman BDC Kolombong, Tebobon, Futsal Yayasan Sabah, Kampung Lapasan Kayu Madang, shophouses in Inanam, and the Safma market.