Published on: Friday, January 04, 2013 |
Kota Kinabalu: A total of 56 people died in 49 fatal mishaps last year compared to 47 who died in 44 fatal accidents in 2011, said City Police Chief ACP Jauteh Dikun.
"In addition, there was a slight increase of 3.7 per cent in reported road accidents, last year, which totalled 5,489 compared to 5,293 in 2011," he told a press conference at the Karamunsing police station here.
As for motorists and passengers who sustained serious injuries, he said these involved a total of 142 people last year, 20 people more compared to 2011.
On summonses, he said, more were issued last year accounting for 114,355 compared to 113,336 in 2011 and a slight increase in collection of paid compounds at RM6.525 million last year compared to RM6.35 million in 2011.
He said they conducted a special operation to prevent road bullying and drink driving for two days during the New Year celebration on Dec 31 and Jan 1.
"We deployed 37 police personnel and five officers to conduct roadblocks starting at 5pm on Dec. 31, 2012 to 6am on Jan. 1, 2013.
"As a result, eight motorists were booked for having more alcohol in their body than the minimum level and 19 motorcycles and two cars were seized for various offences," Jauteh said.
He added that 183 summonses were also issued to motorists for committing various traffic offences.
Jauteh also said police seized 858 grammes of Syabu and 661 grammes of cannabis last year. Throughout last year, 2,869 drug cases were registered and a total of 2,880 people arrested for drug offences.
On tackling cyber gambling activities here, he said, a total of 856 sets of computers and 62 slot machines were confiscated last year worth almost RM1 million including the seizure of RM16,250 in cash.
He said 95 people were apprehended from 48 raids last year and that similar operations would be continued this year from time to time.
Meanwhile, the Mat Rempit menace topped residents' complaints in Kg Tanjung Aru Lama during a police meet-and-greet session held later.
Jauteh said most of the residents complained about disturbance caused by youths on motorcycles loitering in the neighbourhood, particularly around 1am or 2am.
"They suspect that these youths might also be involved in taking syabu," he said.
"Another main complaint was on people seen transporting goods via sea particularly at night," he said, adding this also caused residents to fear that those bringing the boats might commit crime, particularly along the Tanjung Aru coastal area.
"We're still unable to identify the items but we do not push aside the possibility that it might be smuggled goods." A population influx in the area was also among the complaints.
"We have yet to identify whether they are illegal immigrants or locals but residents claimed that these people come without informing the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK).
"It is believed that this was also why more vehicles are seen parked along the road and often blocking residents' vehicles," he said.
To tackle this, the JKKK would conduct a census this month after having a dialogue with the police who will be assisting as part of their community policing.
To a question, he said, he would instruct his men to patrol and inspect the area and action would be taken if some of these vehicles were offering pirate taxi services and operating without a valid permit.
His response came following complaints that many of the new faces coming and going in the area have cars and often block or occupy the whole road which is narrow and some were believed to be operating pirate taxis and keep honking for passengers every morning.
Some 74 residents came to the two-hour meet-the-people session which recorded a total of 17 complaints, comprising seven narcotic, two traffic, seven crime and one marine issue.
Residents were also introduced to the Peace Lady (Amanita) campaign which engages women, particularly housewives, in neighbourhood safety through a specially designated women personnel in each police station.
Those interested may contact Insp. Erda Firdayu at 088-529 271 / 272 or fax 088-225 144 for more information. Also present were City Deputy Police Chief Supt M.Chandra and Officer-In-Charge of Tanjung Aru Police Station Sub-Inspector Samad Sumadi.
