As the Royal Malaysian Police gears up to mark its 207th anniversary tomorrow, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar talks of plans to tackle problems related to social disorder.

He said the police intend to collaborate with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to identify these problems.

“Several studies conducted overseas indicate that social disorder problems can cause a negative perception in the community unless they are tackled quickly,” he told reporters at the Bukit Aman police headquarters.

Citing an example, he said the presence of a large number of illegal immigrants and beggars in the city could cause fear and discomfort in the people.

“As such, it is necessary for the police to draw up a strategy with the collaboration of the relevant authorities, including the community and the private sector, to resolve these problems,” he said.

Khalid also said that the police would continue to give priority to the welfare and security of the people while raising their confidence, trust and respect for the police force.

The police force would work with all quarters, including the community, to remain the premier law enforcement agency in the country, he said.

“Over the past 207 years, the force has always encouraged the people to cooperate with the police by providing information with accuracy and speed to tackle crime and other security problems,” he said.

Khalid gave an assurance that the police force was always ready to face challenges by adopting the necessary measures, including augmenting the number of its personnel.

He said the intrusion in Lahad Datu, Sabah, last year and the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 on March 8 posed major challenges for the force and it was able to learn a lot from these experiences.

'Police presence gives a sense of greater security'

Commenting on the police omnipresence, he said the presence of policemen at public places would give the people a sense of greater security.

On the motorcycle patrol units, he said their presence in housing estates allayed any fear of the people and helped to reduce crime in localities.

“Besides looking after the security of the people, these units help the police to meet and greet the people,” he said.

Asked about measures to step up the integrity of the police force, Khalid said an anti-corruption campaign would be implemented with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Integrity Institute of Malaysia (IIM) to enhance awareness in the community and among policemen.

“Such cooperation is to seek the best method to ensure the integrity of each police personnel,” he said.

The 207th Police Day tomorrow carries the theme ‘Our Commitment to Community Well-being’. The force continues to focus on three aspects: maintaining public order, combating crime and enhancing integrity.

- Bernama