Police have rejected the possibility of arson in a fire at the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) headquarters in Jalan Central, Kuching early yesterday.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Mortadza Nazarene said the Fire and Rescue Department’s initial investigation showed there was no element of arson after police took a statement from a security guard at the premises.

He was speaking to reporters after an Ops Sikap programme held in conjunction with the Christmas celebration at the Sarawak Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Kuching today.

On claims that the fire could have been an inside job, he said police would have to record statements from those who made the allegations.

The fire was believed to have started from the party's meeting room located on the ground floor of the building at about 3.50am, causing minor damage.

Meanwhile, Mortadza said with the Christmas celebrations, police would carry out traffic monitoring operations along Jalan Trans Borneo and several other major roads in the state.

About 30 traffic policemen were involved in the Ops Sikap programme from Pulapol to Serian town this morning.

- Bernama