BETONG: The shortage of personnel and assets has not stopped the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) from combating drug abuse activities in the state.
Sarawak Police Commissioner, Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said although the number of officers and members in certain areas is limited, the spirit to work remains very high.
He said PDRM is unique because all available elements are mobilised to help combat drug abuse activities.
“Not only is the Betong District Police Headquarters (IPD) facing a shortage of officers and members, the same applies to other districts.
“But that is not a reason for us to not fight drug abuse. Hence, we utilise whatever resources available in the district by combining our efforts to overcome related issues.
“The situation has improved with many drug traffickers and users being arrested and charged in court,” he said.
He said this after the handover of duties to the new Betong District Police Chief (KPD) here yesterday.
Zainal however took a serious view of manpower shortages in all IPDs across Sarawak.
“I noted the issue and informed the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department to present the shortage of personnel issue to Bukit Aman so that the necessity to add more positions can be reviewed,” he said.
Since assuming the leadership of the Sarawak contingent on Sept 26, he has instructed all IPDs to increase raids and arrests against drug traffickers and users.
At IPD Betong, he expressed confidence in the new Betong District Police Chief, Acting DSP Wan Mohamad Ali Wan Malek, to ensure public safety, peace, and well-being is always guaranteed.
In addition, he hoped to see leadership with integrity and the ability to bring IPD Betong to a higher level of excellence.
Wan Mohamad Ali, who hails from Sebuyau, joined PDRM as an inspector in November 2002.
He served as a Criminal Investigation Officer at IPD Petaling Jaya Selatan, IPD Subang Jaya and IPD Serdang from 2002 to 2005.
He then served as an Information Technology Lecturer at Maktab Teknik Muar, Johor from 2005 to 2006.
In 2006, he joined the R&D Division of the PDRM Training Centre (PULAPOL) Kuching as an Assessment and Examination Officer, serving until 2012. During this period, he was also involved as a key mover in training development and assessment for personnel.
From 2012 to 2014, he served at the Management Department, Bukit Aman as a HrMIS Implementation Inspector, before being appointed as the Serdang Police Station Chief, IPD Serdang from 2014 to 2015.
He later continued his service as Padungan Police Station Chief, IPD Kuching from 2015 to 2020.
In 2020, he was entrusted as Deputy CCC Controller, Team C, JKDNKA Sarawak Police Headquarters, and served until Dec 7 this year.
