KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will have a new state Police Commissioner soon with the mandatory retirement of Datuk Idris Abdullah starting March 31.
For now, his deputy Datuk Jauteh Dikun will stand in as the acting Police Commissioner until a new commissioner is named.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani was present to witness the handing over of duties between Idris and Jauteh at the state police headquarters in Kepayan on Thursday (March 30).
He was confident that Jauteh would be able to carry out duties as the acting police commissioner due to his knowledge and experience in the police force.
He wished Idris a happy retirement, and welcomed Jauteh to hold the post officially on March 31.
Idris had been in the police force for almost 35 years, starting out as a cadet cop.
Earlier in the event, Acryl said there were several names up for nominations including Jauteh, and the decision would be made soon.
He reminded all police officials and officers to carry out their duties with dedication and to work together as a team to ensure that the police force stays strong and united.
"We must do our best and not only regret and say things like 'the police should have done this and done that' after retirement because by then, there is no use," he said.
On other matters, Acryl said the vacant positions in the security force including under Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and following the retirement of senior officers nationwide were in the process of being filled.
He said these vacancies came up following the charging of several top officials in Esscom following a criminal case recently.
This included its intelligence chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mat Zaki Md Zain who was involved in a murder case in Tawau in January this year.
Asked about the police’s plans to improve and boost security in Sabah’s east coast, Acryl said several initiatives such as adding two General Operations Force (GOF) battalions to the existing five battalions in Sabah were being carried out.
"We are in the process of applying for additional security posts to improve the marine force in tackling sea threats more efficiently as well," he said.
He said with the setting up of the Esscom entering its 10th year now, it was vital that all security forces remain alert at all times, and to not let their guards down for the sake of the state and nation’s sovereignty.
Acryl said though the security in Sabah’s east coast was relatively under control, that was no reason for anyone to let their guards down as threats from cross border criminals and quarters staking claims on Sabah continued.
"We must send the message that we are always ready and will not compromise on the security of this nation and state," he said.
