KUALA LUMPUR: With criminal activities becoming more sophisticated and widespread, it is necessary for both the people and the police to enhance their digital literacy and awareness of the digital age to jointly combat criminal activities, said Tan Sri T.C Goh, President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong).
He said that with rapid changes of the times and technological advancement, the form of “police-public cooperation” should not only confined to incidents such as robbery, theft, accidents, injuries, or patrols. Instead, it should be elevated to cover fraudulent crowdfunding, and financial cases involving the use of various social media platforms, and artificial intelligence applications.
He believed that through the higher level of “new era police-public cooperation”, it will be more effective, extensive, and comprehensive in assisting the police in combating different levels and types of criminal activities.
Goh who is also the Chairman of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) Sabah Chapter expressed this in a statement issued in conjunction with the 217th National Police Day celebrations today.
He also expressed full support for the statement and determination of the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, emphasizing the need for law enforcement personnel to keep up with the development of the digital age to combat new era crimes.
Goh also believes that not only the police but people from all walks of life, especially the younger generation or intellectuals, should enhance their understanding of the digital era to effectively cooperate with and assist the police in combating criminal activities, demonstrating the spirit of “new era police-public cooperation”.
He believes that the spirit of “new era police-public cooperation” aligns well with this year’s National Police Day theme of “Police and Community as One” (Polis dan Masyarakat Berpisah Tiada), as combating crime cannot rely solely on the police, but requires the full support and cooperation of all citizens to jointly maintain social order, harmony, and peace in the country.
Goh who is also President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) also welcomed Razarudin’s statement that “the police are making efforts such as promoting transparency, accountability, effective communication, education, and civic awareness, to improve the relationship between the police and the public”. He believed such a declaration will help improve the public image of the police force.
He also encouraged people of all ethnicities, including the Chinese, who are interested in joining the police force to actively respond to recruitment calls from the police, for various levels of law enforcement personnel, as well as to actively participate in various public safety programs, such as voluntary reserve police, voluntary patrol programs, Police Undergraduate Voluntary Corps (SUKSIS), and community police-public dialogue, to strengthen mutual rapport and interactions.
He also expressed full support for the amendment to the Police Act 1967 by Parliament this year, which saw His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim becoming the Honorary Chief of the Royal Malaysian Police (Pesuruhjaya Yang Dipertua Kehormat Polis Diraja Malaysia), and Sultan Ibrahim being the first head of state to receive this highest honor, describing it as a major focal point and a glorious record for this year’s National Police Day.-pr/BNN
