JOHOR BARU: Seven public places around the city will have additional police presence to bolster safety and security, especially for Visit Johor 2026, says Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar.
He stated that the police aim to assure all visitors and investors that Johor is a safe place to visit.
"This omnipresence of police personnel is targeted in areas frequently visited by the public," he said after attending the state-level monthly police assembly here on Wednesday (June 18).
Among the areas included are the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (BSI) complex, Bazar Karat, KSL City Mall, Angsana Mall, Berjaya Waterfront, Midvalley Southkey, and Plaza Sentosa.
He added that the initiative, which started on June 14, involves about 80 policemen who patrol the areas and meet with premises owners.
"This will be above and beyond our patrols conducted by our mobile patrol and motorcycle units," he said, urging the public to reach out to these policemen on foot patrol if they need assistance.
Comm Kumar said that so far, there have been no reported crime cases in all these seven places since the initiative started.
He added that they hope to involve personnel from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and marine units and expand this omnipresence initiative to all 10 districts.
Meanwhile, Comm Kumar urged the public not to quickly believe information from social media or unverified sources.
He noted that people these days are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for scamming.
"People need to be careful. Always verify before you transfer money, even to your friends who suddenly message you asking for money.
"Their mobile phones could have been hacked, and with their contact details, scammers could be impersonating and asking for money," he said, adding that people should always seek direct verification from the person before making any transfers.
Asked about the recent fake TikTok video of him making statements about aid channelled from an individual known as Datuk Malik, allegedly created using AI, he said investigations are ongoing.
He stressed that the video circulating was manipulated and false.
The video has been altered using AI to make it appear as though Comm Kumar made the statements, but he categorically denied releasing any such comments.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Comm Kumar said that for the first five months of this year, the criminal investigations department achieved a 59.64% solving rate of index crimes, while the narcotics crime investigation department arrested about 10,794 people and seized RM83.18mil worth of drugs.
They also forfeited some RM7.49mil worth of valuables.
"During the same time, they busted 21 drug syndicates and seized some RM81.07mil worth of drugs," he added.
During the event, he also gave commendation letters to policemen and members of the media, including Star Media Group’s Johor Bureau Chief Nelson Benjamin.
