KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 – The following is the transcript of the speech given by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when attending the Police Parade in conjunction with the 206th Police Day celebration at the Police Training Centre in Jalan Semarak here today.
1. Firstly, let us together raise our thanks to Allah SWT, for with His blessings we are able to gather at the guard-of-honour and parade in conjunction with the 206th Police Day celebration this morning.
2. I would like to take this opportunity to convey my appreciation and gratitude to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for inviting me and wife to join this glittering and meaningful ceremony.
3. Indeed, our beloved Malaysia will not be in the present state, a country that is becoming more and more successful, a modern industrialised country with medium-high income without peace and stability made possible by the noble sacrifice of patriots from the Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Armed Forces. Since the eras of Emergency until the Confrontation, your good selves and predecessors have been loyal and relentless in answering the clarion call of
the beloved motherland.
4. We hold in high regard the 10 fallen national warriors, eight of them members of the PDRM who had made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. Let us make their sacrifice the example of an absolute sacrifice and an inspiration to us.
5. Indeed, your service will not be in vain as mocked by certain quarters. On behalf of the government, the people and the country, who are indebted to you, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all of you who are still adorning and had adorned the security forces uniforms. Your good deeds will be remembered for all time. The government will continue to look after the welfare of members of the PDRM and the armed forces.
6. The government’s commitment to the welfare of PDRM officers and men cannot be denied. The government of the day has always fulfilled its promises. We walk the talk.
7. As announced at the Civil Service Premier Gathering or MAPPA recently, effective Jan 1, 2013, the government has agreed to harmonise the ranks in the PDRM to match the structure in the civil service in line with the levels of posts or salary grades. This entails changes in the scope of job functions, rank structure and qualification in the PDRM.
8. For example, an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) on Grade 48 will have the post harmonised to the civil service Grade 52 while a superintendent on grade 41 will have the post harmonised to Grade 48. 9. As for the harmonisation of other ranks, firstly, a corporal on Grade 17 in the PDRM will have the post harmonised with Grade 22 in the civil service. Secondly, a sergeant on Grade 17 will have the post harmonised with Grade 20 in the civil service.
10. The government has also streamlined the rates of PDRM allowances such as the housing, entertainment and fixed allowances.
11. In the quest to improve the welfare of PDRM officers and men, I would like to announce that the government has agreed to approve the implementation of a group insurance scheme which will benefit 112,145 police officers and men.
NKRA TO REDUCE CRIME
12. The government would also like to congratulate the PDRM for its success in reducing the crime rate by 27 per cent in the past three years since the implementation of the NKRA. Hence, the government will ensure that PDRM’s capacity is upgraded and restructured to meet the demands of crime-fighting.
13, Indeed, we cannot be complacent, instead we should redouble our efforts and cooperation with various quarters to ensure that the crime rate in the country can be reduced to a minimum level by 2020.
14. Thus, the police will be transformed from a security force to a people-oriented police service. This is because the police service will not succeed without the support of the people. The PDRM era as a paramilitary police has ended. Today the PDRM should change to a community-service policing service endowed with high professionalism and integrity.
15. Thus, I would like to urge the people to work hand-in-hand with the police and relevant authorities for the security and stability of the country is a joint responsibility.
16. The government will always give the support and encouragement to the PDRM in ensuring the rule of law, and peace and public order is maintained.
DECLARATION OF THE EASTERN SABAH SAFETY ZONE (ESSZONE)
17. In order to provide a legal basis for the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and to protect the democratic rights and process for the people of Sabah and to strengthen security, public order and prosperity in eastern Sabah, I hereby would like to announce that I have received the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as enshrined under the Preservation of Public Safety Ordinance 1962 to declare the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZONE) comprising 10 districts, namely Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau effective today.
18. The 10 districts involved in the declaration will be administered by a committee which will be formed under the Public Security Regulations 2013 promulgated by the Home Minister. The committee, which will also be known as the Eastern Sabah Safe Zone Committee, will be headed by Sabah chief minister and assisted by a chief executive officer and members who will be named later.
The chief executive officer, who will be a member of the public, will be responsible
for coordinating and safeguarding the functions and activities of the security forces and government departments and agencies in implementing all initiatives in ESSZONE. The committee, which will be based in Lahad Datu, will be responsible to a steering committee headed by me as the head of government.
I would also like to inform you that today three cabins that will be used to serve as the heaquarters of the Eastern Sabah Security Command or ESSCOM have arrived in Lahad Datu. This means that ESSCOM will become functional in several days’ time. Apart from this, seven police posts will be set up in eastern Sabah. All these have been verified by the Chief Secretary to the Government which I have discussed the matter with the Home Minister and the Inspector-General of Police.
The seven posts will be in Pulau Bum Bum, Pulau Gaya, Pulau Banggi, Pulau Mabul, Tambisan, Tanjung Labian, and Cenderawasih in Felda Sahabat while the Sandakan Police Headquarters will also be beefed up. It is anticipated that the areas will get cabins which will be used for the posts in early April. This means the implementation is very fast by capitalising on pragmatic methods.
19. By setting up the ESSZONE committee, the government is adopting a holistic approach and not purely a military approach to protect eastern Sabah and find a solution to the intrusion issue.
20. Let me reaffirm that the declaration is not an emergency declaration under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution. Secondly, it will not deter a fair, transparent and democratic general election process at all. Thirdly, the regulations imposed under the ordinance will not give additional powers to the police. The police’s existing authority is adequate to deal with the situation,
Fourthly, anyone who feels that his (or her) rights have been undermined can take the government to court through legal process, and fifthly, life will go on as usual in the designated areas but with heightened security to ensure the people’s well-being.
21. Hence, I would like to explain that the Security Offences Act (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA), which is applied to conduct investigations and make arrests in all cases involving the terrorists in Sabah right now is merely procedural. It was not enacted as an Act to give power to declare a security area like the Internal Security Act 1960. People arrested under SOSMA will be charged under ordinary laws and subjected to trial just like in other criminal cases.
22. The Attorney-General’s Chambers will hold a news conference today to answer questions pertaining to the legal aspects.
RESETTLEMENT
23. Realising that the vulnerability of several settlements to the easy infiltration of illegal immigrants and stateless persons was the primary cause of the Sulu terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu and other parts of eastern Sabah, I would like to announce that the government will launch an initiative to resettle people living in several locations in eastern Sabah to maintain public safety.
24. The initiative, under Part III of the Preservation of Public Security Regulations 2013, will enable the government to resettle any individual or a group of people, particularly any individual or a group of people who are illegal immigrants or stateless persons, in a safe and suitable area determined by the government.
25. It must be emphasised here that the decision to resettle any individual or a group of people is for the sake of maintaining public security. In undertaking this resettlement exercise, the government will take into consideration the safety and well-being of not only the people to be relocated but also the people already living in the designated area of resettlement.
Apart from this, the government will consider all resettlement aspects, including the sources of income of the people involved, and hold discussions with respective district, native or village chiefs of the community already living in the designated area of resettlement. The need to discuss with district, native or village chiefs is to ensure that the interests of the people already living in the area of resettlement are protected.
26. As I have mentioned earlier, in pursuing the government’s objective of ensuring the people’s fundamental rights and the rule of law will be preserved and protected, the government will ensure that the resettlement:
a) will not prevent any aggrieved citizen in the designated area from challenging the government’s decision on the resettlement; and
b) will not prevent any citizen from exercising his or her right as a voter in any parliamentary or state election.
27. Realising that the resettlement will involve Malaysians, either as those to be resettled or those already living in the area of resettlement, the government will help those citizens whose rights under the Federal Constitution have been undermined by the relocation.
28. Under the resettlement initiative, the government will provide a place to live and ensure the safety of the people relocated. This is because the government is aware that the relocation decision will give a major impact on the future of those involved. Migration to a new place involves adapting to a new environment.
29. On humanitarian grounds and to ensure that the people involved can benefit from the relocation initiative, the government will ensure that public healthcare, medical services and sanitation will be provided to the people living in the area of resettlement, besides opportunities for basic education and employment.
30. The government will provide training and equipment if necessary to the people living in the area of resettlement to start life anew. Towards this end, the government will request for cooperation, assistance and contribution from organisations or bodies locally or abroad.
31. I would like to announce that the resettlement initiative is not only to benefit those to be relocated but also those living in the surrounding areas for the government will carry out programmes necessary for their welfare and well-being.
32. Although the initiative is confined to eastern Sabah for the time being, it does not mean that western Sabah is being neglected. For the time being, the need for safety is now more pressing in the east. The initiative will be extended to the whole of Sabah at a suitable time.
33. On the whole, I would like to stress that the government has never doubted the loyalty of Malaysian citizens of Suluk descent. They are citizens who enjoy the rights provided for by the Federal Constitution and the other laws of the country, and the government will continue to protect their legitimate rights and champion their welfare.
34. I would like to praise the people of Kampung Senalang in Semporna for their bravery and sacrifice in overcoming a terrorist on March 3. In their attempt to defend themselves and the country, the terrorist was killed. Their deed and bravery are most appreciated.
CONCLUSION
35. To conclude, I would like to congratulate the Royal Malaysia Police on the 206th anniversary celebration. It culminates a long journey for a towering organisation.
36. Let us join hands to chart a better future for us, and our children and grandchildren. The people of Malaysia and I dream of having a professional, effective and exemplary police service. A service endowed with exemplary police officers and men, equipped with adequate and latest equipment, and a well-trained force having world-class skills to implement the 21st century policing service. We dream of a high-income developed country where the streets, housing areas and public places are free from crime to ensure that Malaysians and their families throughout the country do not fear that their personal safety is at stake. Let us come together to make this dream a reality.
Thank you.
BERNAMA
