SUPP man deems 10pm gate closure on police stations impractical, calls for other measures

MIRI (July 10): The gates of all police stations in the country should not be closed after 10pm as this will disrupt their services to the public, said Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth Central Committee publicity secretary Kelvin Hii.

The Home Affairs Ministry, he said, should instead look into other ways to prevent the recent attack on Ulu Tiram police station from recurring.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs should not have such suggestion. This policy will become an international joke and only increase foreign policy concerns about our country’s security,” he said in a statement.

“When people encounter problems, they go to the police station to report or seek help. If the gates of the police stations are closed after 10pm, then who will they turn to for help in time of need?” he questioned.

He pointed out that this policy will impact the country’s tourism sector as it could raise safety concerns among visitors, as well as foreign business investments.

He suggested that the Home Ministry heightened security measures at all police stations nationwide by increasing their manpower and strengthening law enforcement.

In the Dewan Rakyat sitting on July 9, Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail ordered for police stations nationwide to close their gates from 10pm daily as a precautionary measure after the attack on the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor this year.

Two police officers were killed and another policeman was injured in that May 17 incident.