Sandakan: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman yesterday hailed the Crime Awareness Day, saying it could heighten the people’s awareness on crime and encourage their involvement in crime prevention.

Musa who is also State Security Committee chairman said this noble effort by the police force could reduce the crime index.

And, according to him, between January 1 and November 30 this year, Sabah’s crime index dropped by 8.73 per cent.

“The government and people place their hope on the professionalism and efficiency of the police force in ensuring peace and security.

“However the people should realise that the responsibility to prevent crime and ensure security should not be shouldered by the police alone. They too must play a role in this matter,” he said when launching the programme organised by the state police contingent here yesterday.

The Chief Minister added that with peace and security, the government was able to focus on efforts to boost development for the good of the people.

He also stressed that the people must know the causes of crime and the negative effects it has on them and the future of the country.

Meanwhile, Musa said the feedback from the people showed that they were satisfied with the level of security and service provided by the police through activities like community policing, among others.

And, he also called on the residents of Sandakan including those in the public and private sectors as well as NGOs to work together with the police to make the country, especially Sabah, safe and peaceful at all times.

At the event yesterday, the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice chairman Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt handed over a mock key to a mobile police station (van) to Sandakan police chief ACP Rowell Marung.

Also present were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk VK Liew, state Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Peter Pang En Yin, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib and Sandakan Municipal Council president Datuk James Wong.

--Courtesy of New Sabah Times