IGP: Behave during elections

Party leaders told to make sure supporters don’t resort to provocation

DUNGUN: All political party leaders contesting in the coming 13th general election have been asked to advise their supporters to be more responsible and not resort to provocation during the campaign period.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said if all quarters were responsible and played their role accordingly, there would be no trouble and problems in the coming general election.

“The task of the police is to maintain peace and order, but it is more important for the political parties to remind their supporters not to resort to provocation to avoid fights, so as to ensure a smooth general election.”

Speaking to reporters about the police’s preparations for the coming general election, Ismail said he had held discussions with all state police chiefs, while two training sessions were held to test the communications capability between Bukit Aman and state and district police headquarters and the police stations.

“Since some months ago, we have taken proactive measures including conducting courses on the Elections Act so they are well-versed with their respective tasks and aware of the challenges.”

Asked whether the police might be stationing more personnel in hot spots, Ismail said they would not make wild predictions, but their actions would be based on information and intelligence work and reports received from the public.

“We are prepared for the coming general election which we regard as the most challenging,” he said.

Ismail also expressed his disappointment over the incident where nine remand prisoners from the Penang Prison managed to escape while being ferried to the Butterworth court on Jan 7.

The prisoners seized the police van after beating up four policemen and pushing them out of the van.

Ismail said the incident would not have happened if all the policemen on duty had followed the standard operating procedure in managing remand prisoners.

“We are looking at the weaknesses and will correct them so that such an incident will not recur.

“The investigation is still on and if there’s proof of negligence, I want action to be taken against those responsible,” he said. – Bernama