Deputy Minister: Closing police station gates after 10pm bad idea, creates barrier to police-public relationship

Datuk Sebastian Ting

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 10: The Malaysia Home Affairs Ministry’s decision to close the gates of police stations nationwide after 10pm is not a good idea, as it would be seen as a barrier to the slogan “police and society are inseparable”, which the Malaysian Police Force upholds.

Highlighting this, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting however noted that the Ministry’s clarification that the public can still file police reports and that the police will continue to serve in maintaining law and order, despite the gates being closed as a security control measure.

“Closing the gates after 10pm is a ‘put-off’ and not the way to be seen as providing the best service to the citizens and welcoming them to seek help from the police.

“Ordinary citizens expect the police to be ready at all times to enforce and maintain law and order without fear or favour and in the best interest of the people.

“The police and the public are supposed to be ‘friends’ working together for the common societal good. Do not put a visible barrier to this laudable relationship that has helped in maintaining law and order within the community,” he said in a statement today.

This statement came in responding to Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s parliamentary reply to Serian MP Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem, stating the security measure was taken following the attack on the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor, which claimed the lives of two police officers.

The directive was to balance the need for safety and security for both police personnel and the public.

Viewing that the Ulu Tiram case was an isolated incident, Ting said the measure is better enforced in police stations in high-risk areas, as not all police stations throughout the country would be threatened by isolated radicalised groups.

“We are also concerned about the safety of our policemen at work. However, this involves providing them with proper training, equipment and support systems.

“Comprehensive training programmes in conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques and situational awareness can help officers handle difficult situations more safely,” he suggested.

In a news report today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that the implementation of the 10pm closure currently involved police stations in remote or rural areas. — DayakDaily