Police ready to handle any situation during state elections, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: The police are ready to face any possibility during the six state elections, including during the post-election period, says Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.

The Inspector-General of Police said police deployment would include safe-guarding strategic areas after the election results are out.

“Among the locations are state palaces and state government administrative buildings.

“The safety of the palaces is of utmost importance as we do not want any disturbance at the palaces in the middle of the night after the results have been announced.

“The police will ensure that any possible change to a state government runs smoothly and safely based on the constitution,” he said at Bukit Aman yesterday.

“A total of 36,492 officers and personnel have been deployed for the state elections, including from other units such as the Federal Reserved Unit (FRU), the Air Unit and the General Operations Force (GOF),” he said.

“The police are committed to ensuring the safety of all.

“For me as the IGP, Deputy IGP Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, state police chiefs and OCPDs, we are ready and you can come out to vote safely,” he said.

Razarudin said since nomination day on July 29 until Aug 8, a total of 1,524 police reports had been lodged.

“Selangor recorded the highest number of police reports at 629, followed by Terengganu (289), Kedah (249), Kelantan (213), Negri Sembilan (111) and Penang (33).

“A total of 26 investigation papers were opened in Selangor, followed by Kedah (23), Penang (16), Terengganu (15), Negri Sembilan (14) and Kelantan (nine),” he said.

A total of four individuals were arrested during the same period.

“Most of the offences involved damaging posters and flags of political parties, under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief and Section 435 for committing mischief with fire.

“There was only one case that touched on race, religion and royalty (3R), which was in Penang,” he said.

On another matter, the IGP said the issue of a viral video, which shows an FRU team supposedly being placed at a dilapidated barrack in Klang, was just a misunderstanding.

Razarudin, who went to the location to inspect the building, said there was a miscommunication between an officer from South Klang police headquarters and an FRU officer.

“The FRU team is actually supposed to be placed at a new police barrack at Port Klang police station,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bukit Aman is ready to assist the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on various matters, including requesting an Interpol Red Notice on a suspect.

The country’s top cop was commenting on MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s statement that graft busters were planning to apply for an Interpol Red Notice on the son-in-law of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and another individual, with the help of the police.