KOTA KINABALU: The perception of having a safe city is more important, said Kota Kinabalu member of parliament, Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
He extended his appreciation for the efforts made by Kota Kinabalu police to ensure the safety of business premises, tourists, and the city's residents.
"There haven't been any criminal cases threatening security as there were 50 days ago when incidents of daylight robberies went viral.
"In addition, there have been numerous operations such as Op Tapis, Op Cantas, Op PTI, and patrolling activities, among others, which are effective approaches to preventing crime," he said during the launch of the Op Centralised Walkabout campaign here.
However, the Plantation and Commodities deputy minister said that despite the police's efforts in apprehending criminals, it is more important for the public to feel safe in the city.
Chan added that the commendable efforts and strategies of the police force should be highlighted to boost confidence among the city's residents.
He also advised the public to consider policemen as "partners" and to share information with them, rather than viewing them solely as enforcers who issue fines, being unapproachable and stern.
Also present were Kota Kinabalu police chief Assistant Commissioner Zaidi Abdullah and his deputy, Superintendent Kalsom Idris.
Earlier, Zaidi said that their three-month-long crime prevention approach in the city yielded positive results with a significant drop in crime cases.
He added that the walkabouts and stationary stations cover shopping malls, commercial areas, and some alleys in the city, with officials actively conducting operations to deter potential suspects from committing crimes.