KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourist Police Unit station is now fully operational at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) here, with 120 specially trained officers catering to tourists’ safety and security in the city.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry secretary-general Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman said the unit's presence was crucial for the tourism industry.
The unit, which was established in 1998, suspended operations during the Covid-19 pandemic following the closure of borders worldwide but was reactivated on Oct 2 last year, he said after opening the station here on Wednesday (Feb 7).
"The unit's officers have been trained to handle tourists, identify tourist spots in the city, give out information and guide tourists, and ensure that attractions are safe from crime.
"They will also strive to keep visitors from becoming victims of crime and scams.
"These officers are specially trained to handle tourists in distress, including those who have lost their passports, in a calm and collected manner.
"They will be on foot patrol as well as on motorcycles and in patrol cars," he added.
He said since its reactivation, the unit had recorded 33 complaints from tourists relating to the loss of possessions.
Present at Wednesday's ceremony were Supt Rozaiman Hashim from city police headquarters and unit head Asst Supt Kamaruzaman Endut.
Roslan added that the unit may be expanded to other states with high tourist arrivals such as Penang, Melaka and Johor.
This would require further discussions with the police and the state MaTiC offices, he said.
The Tourist Police Unit station at MaTiC is open every day from 8am until midnight.
