My Longkang

In the past few years I have had few encounters with the police. I have no grouses against them or any body for that matter. So, I am in no position whatsoever to rate the police or their services. So it was a surprise when I came across this article in The Star which said:

A survey conducted by the Sibu United Chinese Associations (UCA) found that 87% of the 45 guild and association leaders indicated that the police have done a dismal job in combating crime. The association, with more than 90 affiliates, carried out the survey in late 2004 as it was concerned with the reported spate of crimes. The survey findings, which have not been released, were sent to the state leadership.

The respondents listed house break-ins, murder and violent crimes like robbery as their prime concerns. They were equally concerned with corruption. The association urged state leaders to intervene so that the security situation in Sibu would improve.

In the meantime, Bukit Assek assemblyman Richard Wong Ho Leng has added his two cents to the issue by saying the situation with house break-ins was still “very bad” in Sibu, and alleged that most residents kept their porch and compound lights on at night to deter burglars.

This hornet’s nest was stirred up by Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. Some of my friends have been following the issue closely and they do not see any direct angle Datuk Seri will benefit from this exercise of highlighting the issue. They believe he is sincere and doing it as a matter of conscience

In the meantime Datuk Seri Tiong expressed shock that the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry had claimed that essential goods in the state were not being controlled by gangsters.

He expressed disbelief that Sarawak’s chief enforcement officer, Abdul Rosik Yakom told Bernama there was no public complaint on the matter. Abdul Rosik also said the ministry had checked the goods in the market and found the prices within the stipulated range.

Datuk Seri

“If one person is complaining, he may not be telling the whole truth. But if a group or a whole community is complaining, you cannot accuse them of ganging up to lie. What do they want to lie about their sufferings for? Is he just receiving reports from his air-conditioned office? Where did he get his reports from?”

The Datuk Seri called on the people to give full support to the IGP* so that plans could be laid out to improve security in the state.

* IGP Musa is married to Puan Sri Juriah Datuk Ahmad and they have four children. He is a law graduate from the United Kingdom. He started his career as an Inspector in November 1969 and had attended various courses on management and police investigation. He rose through the ranks through sheer determination and love for the profession.

He was appointed deputy IGP in 2005. His peers describe Musa as the most suitable officer to hold the post given his vast experience and knowledge coupled with a stern but humble approach. He was appointed IGP in Sept 2006