Comm Jauteh (second right) presenting a QR barcode to Kota Kinabalu police chief Asst Comm Kasim Muda while Sabin (left) looks on.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah police have launched a campaign that allows people to report crimes or to seek help from the authorities by simply scanning a quick response (QR) code.
Called the “QR Code Aduan Masyarakat” (QR Code for Public Complaints), the campaign and related application is the brainchild of the Sabah police contingent, the first in the country to launch such an initiative.
The QR codes will be displayed in key locations such as retail stores, malls, bus stops and busy sidewalks, among others.
State Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said Kota Kinabalu as well as the districts of Penampang, Tuaran and Papar have been chosen for the trial run.
He said it was developed by the Sabah police contingent’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department and patterned after the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) app.
“This is the first time such an app has been launched in the country so far,” he said at the launch in Warisan Square here on Tuesday (Sept 10).
“It will not replace the VSP but not everyone in Sabah, particularly those residing in rural areas, are registered members of VSP.
"So this QR Code Aduan Masyarakat is just an alternative to enable people to report (crimes) quickly,” he added.
In addition to criminal activities, Comm Jauteh said the public may also use it to channel information on traffic congestion, road accidents, or injuries.
“People can even report if they ever get lost in the city or districts,” he said.
Comm Jauteh said the campaign will be expanded to other districts in Sabah in stages after data collected during the trial run is used to gauge its effectiveness.
“All information received will be screened for authenticity. Appropriate action will be taken if the information is inaccurate or malicious,” he said.
He thanked mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah, who was present at the launch, for providing support through Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
