With a population of 30 million and about 5 million foreigners, every cop has to safeguard 3,600 people. In many develop and developing countries, the ratio is 1:300. We are handicapped.
When Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took over from Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2009, beefing up the police force, multiply its intake and revise the salary scheme was among his agenda. PDRM, he said must possess the right number of personnel and equipment.
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Yes, there were improvements to salary, perks and facilities but new recruitment was very slow. Over the past five years, only about 5,000 new personnel were added to make it 115,000 today - not even 5 per cent of the population.
At Bernama last night, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said PDRM was facing stiffer and bitter challenges due to lack of personnel on the back of notorious crime such as kidnappings, rapes, drug cartel, murders and armed robbery.
Most challenging is the 1,400km shore of Sabah under Esscom.
The latest kidnappings undermine our security and surveillance, hence demanding us to consider available options to tackle it.
Of course there are weaknesses but the government, Zahid said will not compromise on national security.
"Yes, there are weaknesses and constraint but I would like to reassure Malaysians that we will do our level best to keep their kampungs safe as possible. Please trust our security forces and cooperate with them."
When Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took over from Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2009, beefing up the police force, multiply its intake and revise the salary scheme was among his agenda. PDRM, he said must possess the right number of personnel and equipment.
Yes, there were improvements to salary, perks and facilities but new recruitment was very slow. Over the past five years, only about 5,000 new personnel were added to make it 115,000 today - not even 5 per cent of the population.
At Bernama last night, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said PDRM was facing stiffer and bitter challenges due to lack of personnel on the back of notorious crime such as kidnappings, rapes, drug cartel, murders and armed robbery.
Most challenging is the 1,400km shore of Sabah under Esscom.
The latest kidnappings undermine our security and surveillance, hence demanding us to consider available options to tackle it.
Security in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) areas not only depends on the assets and personnel of the ESSCom, but should also involve cooperation in terms of intelligence with the Philippines.To boost Esscom, plans are afoot to equip it with more patrol boats and sophisticated weapons. However, it may take time and since the government is facing budget constraint, PDRM and the armed forces (ATM) are tasked with joint-effort to supervise the area.
Home Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the existence of the ESSCom should never be disputed, but it should enhance intelligence cooperation with the Philippines to avoid any form of crime in the area.
"We should not depend on upgrading our assets and equipment alone, but we have to strenghthen our intelligence networking with the government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).
"As their aim is to collect ransom, they will continue to carry out such activities. I know the culture of this group is to take revenge and make this as a source of earning an income.
"So, I feel that ESSCom must be more prepared in taking any action and never be complacent in carrying out their operations. I'm confident this can be done by ESSCom officers, particularly the military taking over the leadership in ESSCom operations," he said.
Of course there are weaknesses but the government, Zahid said will not compromise on national security.
"Yes, there are weaknesses and constraint but I would like to reassure Malaysians that we will do our level best to keep their kampungs safe as possible. Please trust our security forces and cooperate with them."
Abductions in Sabah may have an even more adverse effect on tourism compared to the MH370 tragedy, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told Parliament today.
He was replying a supplementary question from Gombak MP Azmin Ali, who was asking about the impact of recent abductions off the east coast of Sabah on tourism.
"What he (Azmin) said is right, the perception of the Sabah cases is worse than the MH370 tragedy. That is why 10 flights by Malaysia Airlines from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu have been cancelled," Nazri said.
In addition, 22 flights from Shenzhen to Kota Kinabalu have been cancelled by China Southern Airlines, while 44 low cost carrier flights from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu had also suffered similarly.