KUCHING: The Sarawak Government remains committed to enhancing security operations across the state by providing federal security agencies with support in logistics and advanced technology.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg gave the assurance while expressing appreciation to the police for their role in safeguarding Sarawak’s security on both land and sea.
“Just recently, I told the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that with today’s increasingly advanced technologies, we must counter technology with technology.
“If we continue to rely solely on conventional methods against more advanced threats, it will be difficult to sustain our safety.
“Therefore, today I reaffirm my commitment that the Sarawak Government will extend support whenever needed by the federal government.
“I have already informed the Minister of Home Affairs about this; as far as security is concerned, if there is a benefit, we will assist,” he said.
He said this in his speech during the officiating of the repainting works on the PDRM Tabuan Jaya Police housing complex, and the handing over of four four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles to the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) here today.
Abang Johari said the state had provided four-wheel-drive vehicles for the Narcotics Department, motorcycles for border patrols, and even trained dogs for narcotics detection.
“We are not taking over the jurisdiction, as security falls under the federal government, but we provide assistance. That is why additional officers and staff have been placed to support security operations, including in Sarawak’s waters.
“Under the law, coastal areas – particularly rivers – fall under the jurisdiction of the Sarawak Government.
“Hence, we have our coast guards to assist the police and security forces in safeguarding our riverine and coastal borders, including areas where our fishermen operate.
“This collaboration can and will continue, insya-Allah, for the sake of national security. The Sarawak Government will continue to assist,” he said.
Abang Johari also said that the Sarawak Government will allocate additional funds to improve officers’ bungalows at the Tabuan Jaya Police housing complex.
“With such improvements, we can raise the image of the police complex, and naturally, our police officers will feel uplifted as well,” he said.
When met by reporters later, Abang Johari said RM5 million has been allocated to improve the housing complex.
“Here, since there is an access road, I have allocated RM5 million to improve this. This is not the first one; at the Kuching Bypass, we also did improvements.
“If the police are short on budget, we help as much as we can. For the narcotics unit, they need vehicles, vehicles that are durable. If it’s just ordinary vehicles, when the criminals speed off, we can’t keep up. So, we’re improving the situation,” he said.
Abang Johari also revealed plans to improve officers’ bungalows at the complex.
“Just now I went around, I saw the bungalow here. It doesn’t look very good, so we’ll add more, make it nice, so that the police are also happy.
“I’ll see how much the estimated cost is, but for sure we’ll add more – make it modern and up to standard,” he said.