Kuching: Sarawak police will deploy 850 personnel statewide from February 15-20 through Op Selamat, in conjunction with the Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration, to strengthen enforcement and reduce the rate of road accidents. Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah announced the initiative in response to a worrying increase in fatal accidents within the region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the number of fatal accident cases has risen by 17 from January 1 to February 11 this year compared to the same period last year, with driver negligence identified as a significant cause. Commissioner Abdullah expressed concern over the increase, noting that last year's Op Selamat had successfully reduced fatal accident cases in Sarawak. He hopes this year's operation will have a similar impact on reducing road accidents and fatalities.

The increase from 32 to 49 fatal accident cases has been attributed primarily to driver carelessness, with some incidents resulting from uneven road conditions. Commissioner Abdullah highlighted human negligence as the main factor contributing to these accidents during the launch of Op Selamat for this year's Chinese New Year celebration.

Additionally, police have identified 85 hotspots throughout the state, focusing on major cities such as Kuching, Sibu, and Bintulu, for enhanced traffic monitoring and control. Commissioner Abdullah urged the public to drive cautiously during the extended holiday period, advising motorists to take breaks if they feel fatigued.