Miri police chief ACP Jamaludin Ibrahim could do not believe his eyes when he stumbled on a goldsmith shop which was left like a sitting duck for robbers.

Not only was the shop unguarded, neither its proprietor nor staff were present at the premises which was left wide open.

In short, anyone could have sneaked into the shop and slipped out with a handful of jewellery, unnoticed.

Jamaludin, who was on a walkabout to observe first-hand, the state of affairs in the city centre, subsequently found the proprietor inside another shop.

It was only when the police chief identified himself and called out to him did the man emerge from the shop.

"This lackadaisical attitude towards security measures is unbecoming as the city centre is known to be crime-free. Traders and businessmen, more so, goldsmith shop proprietors, should not take the safety of the city for granted.

"Such a (lackadaisical) practice is discomforting. I advised the (errant) goldsmith proprietor not to give opportunities to would-be robbers and be security conscious and not be careless in leaving his shop unattended," said Jamaludin.

Police walkabout

On his walkabout, Jamaludin said both the owners of business premises and the public were generally happy with the security situation in the city centre.

Thus, he said, there was no basis for allegations on the part of some quarters that Miri was unsafe for visitors.

The police chief said walkabouts involving senior police officers would be intensified in the future to have closer rapport with the people.

- Bernama