By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 8: Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah has directed the State narcotics crime investigation department to raise the manpower shortage issue with Bukit Aman to secure additional staff amid rising drug cases Statewide.
In a TVS news report, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the drug problem in the State has reached a serious level, requiring aggressive and continuous action to ensure public safety.
He cited that the Betong District Police Headquarters (IPD) has only seven personnel, including narcotics officers, as among the challenges faced.
However, he said it has not dampened the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) determination to carry out its drug-busting operations and that these constraints are not an excuse to avoid carrying out comprehensive action, as all available strength will be mobilised to ensure drug distribution and abuse are tackled to the maximum extent.
“We have asked the State narcotics crime investigation department to submit the issue of manpower shortages to Bukit Aman for consideration to increase staffing, not only in Betong but also in other districts facing similar issues,” he said after the handover of duties ceremony for the Betong district police chief post at the IPD Betong Multipurpose Hall today.
Zainal also added that the increase in drug-related arrests has significantly impacted prison capacity, court workload, and urine analysis needs. Nevertheless, he assured that integrated operations and raids targeting drug hotspots across Sarawak will continue to be strengthened to dismantle distribution networks.
Meanwhile, he said that PDRM’s assets and facilities in Sarawak need to be increased due to the vast size of the region. He elaborated that additional assets are urgently needed to strengthen operations in the 28 police districts across Sarawak, particularly involving patrol vehicles, operational equipment, and the maintenance of police stations and buildings.
Although both the federal and Sarawak governments have consistently provided support, he said, the contingent still requires more facilities to ensure policing duties on the ground can be carried out more efficiently and effectively.
At the same time, he expressed appreciation to the Sarawak and federal governments for recently allocating funds for the repainting, repairing, and upgrading of old PDRM buildings throughout the region, which will help enhance operational effectiveness and ensure better public safety.
The ceremony witnessed the handing over of duties for the Betong district police chief from acting district police chief ASP Entali Jingan to Acting DSP Wan Mohamad Ali Wan Malek.
Additionally, Zainal also presented the PDRM ‘Sumbangan Kasih’ aid to 15 recipients from the Betong district as part of the police force’s ongoing community welfare efforts. — DayakDaily
