JOHOR BARU: Police have identified 39 hotspots for the upcoming Johor election, says state police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad.
He said police will give extra attention to these areas but declined to specify the locations.
"We are ready to face the election and will ensure it goes peacefully and smoothly," he told a press conference at the state police contingent headquarters here on Thursday (June 18).
He said 11,926 Johor police officers and personnel as well as civil servants with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will be on duty throughout the election from Nomination Day on June 27 to polling day on July 11.
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"We have structured election operations into five main phases," he added.
The first is the pre-election phase with a focus on gathering intelligence, identifying potential safety threats and monitoring political developments.
Comm Rahaman said phase two will be ensuring peace and order at nomination centres on June 27.
"Campaigning will start on June 27 until 11.59pm on July 10.
"We will deploy 4,832 officers to monitor campaigning activities, which counts as phase three," he said, adding that police will not comprise on parties found to play up 3R (race, religion and royalty) sentiments or issues.
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"Phase four is during early voting on July 7, and voting day on July 11, with 11,814 officers on duty," he said.
According to Comm Rahaman, there will be 12,710 early voters from the state police contingent, based on the voter list from the Election Commission as of May 21.
He said phase five will be the post-election period until the counting of votes is completed and the winning candidates announced.
"We have submitted an application for 5,763 officers from Bukit Aman to be deployed for the state election if the need arises," he added.
