7,041 Sarawak police personnel on duty during GE14
KUCHING, April 27 (Bernama) -- There will be 7,041 police officers and men on duty in Sarawak during the 14th General Election (GE14).
State Police Commissioner Datuk Seri Amer Awal said of the number, 4,866 would be deployed for duties on the nomination day tomorrow at 31 nomination centres involving 24 districts in the state.
He said the affected police personnel had left for the assigned locations beginning this morning to ensure a smooth nomination process.
"We have also prepared housing for 43 Light Strike Force (LSF) units, 38 district investigating teams and 32 special unit teams (for criminal issues) statewide to cope with any untoward situations during the general election period.
"(In fact,) the Royal Malaysia Police Air Wing Unit will also be mobilised to monitor the situation," he told a press conference at the Sarawak police contingent headquarters here today.
Also present were State Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Dev Kumar and Sarawak Police Management Department chief Datuk Zamani Hamdan.
Commenting on nomination day, Amer said police projected many political party supporters to throng areas categorised as 'flash points' and asked them to listen to instructions from the policemen on duty to avoid traffic congestion near the nomination centres.
Meanwhile, he said police had issued permits for political parties to hold talks at 16 venues, namely two each in Kuching and Dalat; nine in Padawan; and one each in Saratok, Lawas and Kapit.
"We have asked the parties' representatives to request the permits early so that the police can make arrangement for traffic control, ensure that the (venue and date of) talks will not clash with other parties and that the talks will take place as scheduled.
"Police will have no problem approving every permit application if all the rules are met," Amer said.
-- BERNAMA