Shops that were raided tell MACC 'No need for the scare tactics'
Published on: Thursday, May 28, 2015
Keningau: The use of face masks by enforcement officers during raids on several business premises here had received a backlash from the public who questioned if such move was necessary."The public is not the enemy of the State. If they committed any breach of law, they can be brought to court. Wearing masks during raids on business premises would only confuse the people whether the men are really enforcement officers or robbers," said Sabah Star Liaison Officer Henry Fung.On May 15, about ten masked and fully-armed enforcement officers together with officers from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MCMC) raided several premises selling smuggled alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.
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"I have never seen any officers wear masks and arm themselves when raiding premises suspected of selling smuggled items. As normal citizens, we do not carry weapons. If we are guilty, bring us to court. There is no need to use enforcement officers from Kuala Lumpur. They are disrespecting our local enforcement officers because it shows they do not regard our officers well," said Fung.He said the masked officers were given special tasks and rarely interact with the public and their presence in Keningau had caused discomfort among the people here.The raid was part of an integrated operation Statewide involving 420 enforcement officers from various agencies. Among the items seized were two containers of alcohol beverage, 740,000 litres of alcohol and 74,000 kilogramme of cooking oil.
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Meanwhile, Fung proposed that the current rate of GST be reduced to three per cent because the people are already suffering enough with the rising cost of living.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"I hope the government can provide subsidies to the 1,000 families in Tenom who are in dire economic straits. The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak must instruct government departments to find ways to help the people in the rural areas," he said.
