Police In Muara Blame Jobless Woes For Crime
By Achong Tanjong

Bandar Seri Begawan - A total of 973 criminal cases were reported to Muara Police Station, resulting in the arrest of 92 people from the year 2000 till March this year. And Muara's top policeman blamed the crime mainly on the jobless problem and lack of spending money.

Forty-two criminal cases were reported so far this year with 24 arrests. Most cases involved fighting and assault incidents.

Supt. Pg. Kamaluddin PSR Pg. Haji Jaya, Commanding Officer of Muara Police District, revealed these statistics yesterday at a dialogue with Penghulu and Kampung Ketuas in Mukims Serasa and Mentiri at Muara Police District Head Office in Muara.

He said in the year 2000, a total of 250 criminal cases were reported and 40 arrests made. A total of 218 criminal cases were reported in 2001 with 12 arrests. In 2002, the Muara Police Station recorded a total of 463 criminal cases and 16 arrests.

He urged the village heads in the areas to be always aware and instill the spirit of good neighborliness to prevent crime. The main factors that contribute to crime were the jobless problem and lack of spending money.

This was based on a research, which showed that jobless offenders committed 58 per cent of theft cases. And some of them were also involved in illegal drug activities.

Supt. Pg. Kamaluddin said Muara Police and Marine Police have been carrying out surprise checks with the assistance of immigration officers in Muara town focusing on foreign workers to ensure that they had valid documents.

Muara Police also organised a meeting with representatives from a textile factory in Serasa, which employs 6,000 foreign workers. They have been advised to abide by Brunei laws and regulations.

Supt. Pg. Kamaluddin thanked and urged the residents in the area to cooperate with the police in providing information and assistance to prevent crime.

At yesterday's meeting, villages heads and Penghulus were also briefed on the roles and responsibilities of Muara Police.

Muara Police District has a Commanding Officer who is assisted by three officers with 82 lower rank personnel.

Under its administration, Muara Police District has one Police Station and three Police Posts.

The areas under the control of Muara Police District cover from Km13, Muara/Berakas Highway, Km13 area, Kg. Sungai Besar and Km 13 Kg. Tanah Jambu.

The meeting sought to foster closer relationship between Kampung Ketuas and Penghulus under the guidance of Muara Police in curbing crime.

Police Public Relations Officer, Superindent Haji Abd, as well as other senior police officers in Muara Police District attended the dialogue. (Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin)

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