Kota kinabalu: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) today received two four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles donated by the Sabah government. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail stated that the vehicles will be fully utilised to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of police operations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the vehicles are particularly useful in areas that are difficult to access and will enhance intelligence-gathering and enforcement efforts, especially in combating drug smuggling activities in Sabah. The handover ceremony was officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters. Also present were Sabah Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk James Ratib, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun, and Royal Malaysian Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin.
Mohd Khalid highlighted that the donation is more than just a contribution of assets, as it reflects the Sabah government's strong commitment to safeguarding the state's security and its confidence in PDRM's capability to carry out its responsibilities effectively. He noted that Sabah's geographical position, bordering Indonesia and the Philippines, makes the state vulnerable to threats such as drug smuggling, the movements of international syndicates, and the influx of undocumented foreign nationals.
In response to these challenges, the Sabah Narcotics Nucleus (SNN) Secretariat was established in Sandakan in 2019 through a strategic partnership between the PDRM Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The collaboration included a building valued at approximately USD750,000 (about RM3 million) contributed by the DEA, reflecting international confidence in PDRM's professionalism in combating narcotics crime.
The SNN plays a critical role in coordinating intelligence-sharing and joint operations with international enforcement agencies, including the Indonesian National Police (POLRI), Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and relevant authorities in Brunei Darussalam. Through this cooperation, PDRM demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding Sabah's security and protecting its people from the drug threat.