KOTA KINABALU: Mat rempit or illegal racers, drug pushing, street kids and illegal immigrants were among the concerns raised by the public during the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters’ high profile policing programme.
The programme, carried out between 8pm to midnight on Saturday, was an effort to engage with the local communities.
City police chief ACP M. Chandra said 23 officers and personnel were involved in the programme, which included meet and greet, dialogues and visits at seven locations in and around Kota Kinabalu, including Jesselton Point, Menggatal Town, Indah Permai, Kampung Kopungit, Kampung Rampayan, Kampung Bangka-bangka Inanam and Kampung Sukang Mabpai Luyang multi-purpose hall.
Members of the public at Jesselton Point voiced out their concern about homeless children in the area, as well as street kids in Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market.
Another issue raised was also the allegation that some police personnel demanded money from illegal immigrants who were detained.
Meanwhile, residents of Kampung Rampayan requested the police to patrol the village after midnight, in view of the selling of methamphetamine (syabu) and the presence of mat rempit on weekends.
Similarly, a dialogue held with the residents, village chief and Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) at Kampung Kopungit uncovered complaints about mat rempit and noise due to loud music and intoxicated individuals.
A dialogue was also conducted at Kampung Bangka-bangka in Inanam where the setting up of the village youth pro-tem committee was discussed, as well as the registration of new Rakan Cops members.
At Kampung Sukang Mabpai Luyang multi-purpose hall, residents voiced out their concerns about accommodations being rented out to illegal immigrants as well as noise disruptions in the area during a meet and greet session, while people at Menggatal town and Indah Permai were concerned about flooding.
Chandra said all feedback obtained from the local communities would be handled within a week.