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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 19: Car theft cases have been showning an increasing trend in Bandar Kuching, says its Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen.
He said the information was relayed to him by Kuching District police chief ACP Ahsmon Bajah during a courtesy visit this morning.
“In Bandar Kuching and Stampin, the overall crime statistics are still under control according to the police. However, there is a slight increase in car thefts within the Bandar Kuching area especially.
“Now the police have identified many suspects as well as a possible syndicate in this issue and they are confident in addressing it in the near future,” he said at a press conference held at Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) headquarters here today.
Nevertheless, he noted that although there is a decrease in crime index statistics, it does not give a true picture as cases are also underreported due to victims’ refusal to lodge police reports.
At the same time, Dr Yii said that the courtesy visit aimed to express his and Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen’s intention to collaborate with IPD Kuching to implement awareness programmes and empower the local community in their parliamentary constituencies.
“We will inform earlier because we are still planning (the programmes) but basically it is more towards programmes with the people to create awareness.
“We are even planning a scam awareness talk. We haven’t decided on the format but (it is) one of the highest (type of) crime in Kuching. Thus, we are planning to invite them (police) to give some awareness on how to educate our public to identify these scams,” he added.
Dr Yii also said that the cooperation between both parties would address the needs and welfare of the police within Bandar Kuching and Stampin constituencies.
“We have some allocations and we have connections with the minister himself (Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) so if there are things on our level that we can solve, we will take care of them and help because as what I told the police, ‘We also want to take care of those that take care of us’ (sic).
“Additionally, we have to work together to ensure that the safety and security of those in Bandar Kuching, Stampin and the whole of Sarawak are properly taken care of,” he emphasised.
Also present were Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen; special assistants to Chong, Michael Kong Feng Nian and Sim Kiat Leng; and special assistant to Dr Yii, George Lam. — DayakDaily
