KUCHING: The Sarawak Police Contingent will conduct ‘Op Selamat’ in conjunction with Gawai Daya from 25 May to 8 June.
The 15-day operation will involve 850 officers and rank and file of all the police branches and districts in the state to ensure the safety of road users and that their homes are secured.
This was according to a statement issued by Sarawak Traffic and Enforcement Department Head, Supt Alexson Naga Chabu received yesterday.
The locations to be focused by the police during the operation are accident prone areas and crime hotspot areas where house break-in frequently occurred.
The 15-day road safety operation will use the ‘total enforcement’ approach. This is so that all road users will be more alert and cautious when travelling on the road especially during festive seasons.
Besides, the operation will also focus safe homes campaign which meant that homes that are left unoccupied as the owners and their families have returned to their villages or longhouses for Gawai are secured.
Apart from the two objectives, the operation will also seek the cooperation of the Sarawak Rivers Board and Marine Department to focus on those who use river transport throughout the state during the festive season.
In this connection, the police and related agencies will focus on express boat operators to ensure the safety of the boat passengers.
The Sarawak Police Contingent is appealing for public cooperation to ensure smooth and safe journeys and that road users be more responsible on road safety.
For everyone’s safety, the police are advising road users to:
1. Abide by orders of the authority concerned in the control of traffic flow and drive within the stipulated speed limits.
2. To ensure that their vehicles are in good condition and safe before they embark on their journey.
3. Allocate a second driver if they go on a long trip.
4. Plan and schedule their trips.
5. Take 15 minutes rest if the driver feels tired and sleepy.
6. Be considerate to other road users and always be alert.
7. Avoid from following a vehicle too close.
8. Don’t drive slowly on the right lane.
9. Abide by traffic sign boards on the road.
10. Abide by the stipulated speed limits while driving on the road.
Those returning to their villages and longhouses and leaving their homes in the cities and towns are advised to:
1. Install alarms at the main entrance to their house.
2. Switch on lights at the entrance to their house when they leave their house.
3. Don’t leave any notes outside.
4. Seek their neighbours’ assistance to ‘keep an eye’ on their house.
5. Ensure that the doors, windows and gate of their house are locked before their leave.
6. Install good alarm system in their house or business premises.
7. Ensure that their house compound is cleared of vegetation.
8. Don’t hide door keys under the front door mat, in flower vase or in electric meter box outside their house.
9. Deposit money in banks and jewelries in bank safe deposit boxes.
10 Temporarily stop subscription of newspaper and magazines during the festive holidays.
11 Report to the nearest police station of their absence.
Public awareness in abiding by the road traffic rules and regulations and informing the police of their absence are of utmost importance.
