By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Sept 26: Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah has been appointed as the new Sarawak police commissioner.
A native of Kampung Seberang Kedai in Lawas, he replaces Datuk Mancha Ata, following the latter’s mandatory retirement on Sept 29.
Throughout his three decades career with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Mancha had served in several states in Malaysia before returning to Sarawak in 2021 as its State deputy police commissioner. He was later appointed Sarawak police commissioner in Nov 2023.
Zainal was conferment the title earlier today at the official handover of duties in a ceremony held at the Sarawak police contingent headquarters here today.
The event was witnessed by PDRM Special Branch director Commissioner of Police Datuk Ibrahim Darus.
Zainal also became the youngest police commissioner in Malaysian history at just 47-years-old.
His last post was as the deputy director of investigation/law at the Bukit Aman Crime Investigation Department.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Zainal acknowledged that narcotic and cybercrimes are increasing in Sarawak, and looks to using his previous experiences in Bukit Aman to tackle the issue.
Assuring the public that the police force will find ways to reduce, if not eliminate the crimes, Zainal has asked for time to formulate effective strategies to eliminate or at the very least, to reduce such crimes.
“I will examine these issues closely, discuss thoroughly, and formulate strategies with my team, especially the heads of the narcotics and commercial crime departments.
“This must be done to address these problems effectively. Other criminal cases will also not be overlooked, rest assured, we will face and resolve them together,” he said.
He also noted that the most important element in curbing drug abuse in the State is the cooperation between the police and community. — DayakDaily
