Kota Kinabalu: Police will be making community walkabouts a regular feature in the State Capital from now.
Its Contingent Criminal Investigation Division Chief SAC Azmi Abd Rahim believes this approach would foster better cooperation from the public.
“The objective is to create bonds with the community and gather feedback on criminal activities, among others. Whatever gathered can then be processed with subsequent follow-up action.
“I believe this will increase the public’s appreciation of the police and make them feel that the police are always close to their hearts. If during the walkabout we happen to come across anyone on the wanted list, for example, we will proceed with arrest,” he said.
Azmi leads 120 officers and personnel including from the People’s Volunteer Corps and Civil Defence Department in town alongside Kota Kinabalu Police Chief ACP Mohd Zaidi Abdullah.
“This is our approach for 2024 and we won’t stop here...A proper schedule will be created soon. If 120 manpower is insufficient, we will make additions. We want the public to feel the police presence.” he
The programme was previously initiated by Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun involving the Road Transport Department.
Meanwhile, City Hall has been given three months to improve the level of cleanliness of the public toilets under its care in the state capital.
Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah said the time period is sufficient following complaints by traders and residents.
He said less-than-satisfactory feedback was received about toilets in his visits to the Anjung Senja, Sinsuran and Sembulan night markets, including the smooth surface of the floor tiles that made it slippery.
“We will make sure that within three months this issue of toilet cleanliness will be resolved, thus reflecting the true image of the city so that it becomes the focus of tourists.
“I myself checked some public toilets belonging to City Hall. There is room for improvement. I will check the condition of these toilets often and other complaints to ensure action is taken and resolve them in stages,” he said during a tour of the Foh Sang area, Saturday.
Accompanying him were Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe who is also Luyang Assemblyman and Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin, who is Kota Kinabalu MP.
Sabin said this is the main Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that must be achieved by City Hall to ensure that the city is user friendly to all, including tourists.
“We will pay attention to the issues raised. Not limited to toilet problems but other complaints raised by the public.
“The main issues in the Luyang area include the delay in the completion of the Proposed Multi-storey Car Park project in Foh Sang,” said Sabin.
The project is under the control of the State Ministry of Housing and Local Government which built a six-storey building to include a wet and dry market with 92 stalls, with parking for up to 320 cars.
