The Sarawak government should consider setting up a Sarawak Homeland Security Ministry and Department to provide better security for Sarawak following the failure of the police to protect natives against thugs and gangsters, said Star Sabah Chief Jeffrey Kitingan.

"The setting up of such a ministry will also complement and supplement the shortcomings of the federal agencies in protecting the people in Sarawak."

He was commenting on remarks made by Sarawak Land Development Minister James Masing that the federal police had remained idle and failed to act on the complaints of native landowners who wanted native customary rights protected from thugs and gangsters.

NONEIn an interview with Malaysiakini last week, Masing (right) had acknowledged the presence of thugs and gangsters, used by oil palm and logging companies to threaten the native land owners if they refused to allow the companies to encroach into their NCR land.

What worried Masing and the natives most was the failure of the police to act on the complaints by the landowners.

In a statement emailed to Malaysiakini, Jeffrey said: "The primary function of the police is to protect the citizens and their failure to protect native Sarawakians from thugs and gangsters and their violence, is totally inexcusable.

"In fact, it is disappointing to hear that Masing has had to submit a detailed account to the federal police in Bukit Aman and MACC to investigate further on the non-action of the police to protect the local natives and their NCR claims.

"Like the failure of the federal agencies responsible to protect Sabah's internal security and borders from outsiders and illegal immigrants given dubious MyKads, the failure of the police to protect local native landowners is grave and serious," he said, pointing out that Sarawak is fortunate that it does not have a serious illegal immigrant problem.

"Imagine if Sarawak had illegals running all over Sarawak, there would have been total chaos given the failure of the police to even take basic action to protect Sarawakians," he said.

NONEHe said this was further compounded by the reports of Penan children being detained for allegedly seeking donations from motorists during the Murum dam blockade.

"Why is there a need to detain children even if the police were to carry out investigations?" queried Jeffrey.

"As can be seen from the detention of children, the complaints of the natives and Masing himself, the federal government does not give due respect and attention to the people in the Borneo states.

"Hence, as an elected representative of the people, I humbly suggest that the Sarawak government take pro-active steps to protect their own citizens by setting up a Sarawak Homeland Ministry and Department," said the Bingkor Assemblyperson.

"With the Sarawak government having some control over their own internal security, it will be able to provide better safety for its citizens and its borders.

"At the same time, we cannot allow the security and high handedness of the police to reach the stage like the situation of the police in the peninsula resorting to wanton shooting killings, corruption and numerous complaints of police brutality and misconduct especially to opposition and the general public.

"Perhaps, it is time for the federal government to seriously consider and set up an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

"If the police are not worried and deny any police wrongdoing, there is no reason for them to turn down the establishment of the IPCMC.

"After all, if the IPCMC is set up, it will help enhance public perception and confidence in the police," added Jeffrey.