KUCHING: The Home Ministry has assured that security preparations for the Sabah State Election are on track, with 10,000 police personnel mobilised to maintain order throughout the campaign and polling period.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Sabah police contingent has a strength of 9,000, but an additional 1,000 personnel were required to ensure smooth operations across the state due to its vast geography and the need to safeguard Election Commission staff and ballot boxes from morning to evening.
Officers from Sarawak were deployed to assist.
“We assessed the situation and found that Sabah needs 10,000 personnel. There is no need to bring in officers from Melaka or Johor because of the distance.
“Sarawak is the nearest and their assistance is timely,” he told reporters at the MADANI Village project handover ceremony at Kampung Sindang Baru Samarahan on Saturday.
He stressed that the deployment would not affect public order in Sarawak.
“Public safety in Sarawak remains stable. They are only assisting Sabah for the election period,” he said.
Saifuddin said police had received a small number of reports linked to campaign activities, including incidents involving party symbols and speeches delivered on political platforms.
“Police will look into the reports under the relevant provisions. As of midnight last night, there were no incidents that threatened or disrupted the democratic process,” he said.
The ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely as Sabah enters the final phase of its state election period.
