Potential election ‘hotspots’ identified

KOTA BARU: Police have identified 28 hotspots in Kelantan ahead of the 15th General Election (GE15).

State police chief Datuk Muhammad Zaki Harun said these locations involved nine parliamentary constituencies.

“These areas were identified based on incidents during the previous general election, so intense contests are also expected among the candidates this time,’’ he told a press conference held on arrests and seizures made over contraband cigarettes yesterday, Bernama reported.

He said the police had long been gathering information and keeping an eye on the state’s parliamentary areas to keep fights from happening during campaigning.

“The district police chiefs are prepared to handle any eventuality. I have also instructed them to monitor troublemakers in their respective areas as they can spark serious fights sometimes,” he said.

In Alor Setar, 2,443 personnel will be deployed to 15 nomination centres statewide on nomination day to ensure the smooth flow of GE15.

Kedah police chief Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad said they comprised members of the Federal Reserve Unit, Public Order Riot Unit and Light Strike Force.

He also said district police chiefs had been told to meet with candidates’ representatives in their own areas to talk about what to do and what not to do on nomination day.

In Kuala Terengganu, police have classified seven locations as hotspots throughout the state.

Terengganu police chief Datuk Rohaimi Md Isa said the locations were Kuala Nerus (one location), Kuala Terengganu (one), Dungun (two), Marang (one), Besut (one), and Hulu Terengganu (one).

He said 3,818 police officers would be on duty throughout GE15.