KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet is expected to give police a big hand – 30,000 extra men.
In what could turn out to be the biggest recruitment drive in the force’s history, the 30,000 extra personnel will complement the existing 90,000-strong force.
The proposal was made by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan recently, who strongly believes that the presence of policemen on the ground will curb crime.
Musa had also made requests for the setting up of logistical support and crime scene investigation units in all states.
The New Straits Times understands that the proposal for additional men and other changes proposed by Musa are now being studied by the Cabinet.
The Cabinet had earlier voiced its concerns over the increasing crime index and Musa’s proposals are now seen as “workable ideas”.
Recent statistics showed that the crime index from January till last month has gone up by more than 12 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Musa refused to take questions on his proposal for additional men but said that he had made several other proposals and was now waiting for the Cabinet to decide.
While waiting for the decision, however, Musa has already started working on some of the proposals.
Among the most radical is the setting up of community beat bases in all residential areas nationwide.
Under this move, at least two police personnel will be placed at all residential areas. This move will see the policemen and their families, staying and working, among residents.
This would also mean that the government will have to purchase houses in all new housing projects nationwide for the police personnel and their families assigned to a particular neighbourhood.
In old housing estates, the government has been urged to rent houses for the policemen.
The pilot project is expected to be implemented soon in housing estates in Johor and Kuala Lumpur.
“All police chiefs have been told to prepare a list of the housing estates in their respective states for the implementation of this exercise,” Musa told the New Straits Times.
He said the policemen stationed at housing estates will complement those from the districts who will continue with regular patrols.
Earlier at a Press conference at the Institute of Islamic Understanding, Musa also suggested the revival or setting up of the Rukun Tetangga programme.
He said each housing area should have the “safe township” concept.
This, he said, entails installing more street lights and erecting fences to safeguard property.
Musa has introduced several changes since taking over the IGP’s post in September.
Among them is instructing senior police officers, from the rank of sergeant to assistant superintendents, to go on beat patrols.
That move has already started in Kuala Lumpur.
He then came out with a long list of transfers and promotions which raised eyebrows in the force and among the public.
The list was seen as Musa’s way of “sacrificing experience for honesty and integrity”. Several senior police officers were given non-operational posts while less experienced officers were sent to replace them.
Commenting on the transfers and promotions, Musa said it was a normal reshuffle exercise.
“I will be personally monitoring these officers. If they don’t perform, they will be replaced.”
Sumber New Straits Times