Ever ready: Razarudin (fifth from right) with PLUS Malaysia Bhd managing director Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar (second from right) during the flag-off ceremony after the launch of Ops Selamat. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Speeding is still the main cause of road accidents, says Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
The Inspector-General of Police said the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department has been instructed to focus its attention on those speeding on roads and highways during Op Selamat, held in conjunction with the Lunar New Year.
“Speeding is definitely the main cause of accidents.
“Police personnel on duty have been instructed to curb speeding among road users,” he told reporters after launching Op Selamat at Persada PLUS here yesterday.
Besides speeding, five other offences that will be closely monitored are driving on the emergency lane, disobeying rules at traffic lights, overtaking on the double line, cutting queues and driving while using a mobile phone, he added.
“More than 6,000 officers and personnel will be deployed for Op Selamat, which will be held from Feb 8 till Feb 13.
“They will be deployed at hotspots for traffic congestion and blackspots, where accidents often occur.
“A total of 407 hotpots and 76 blackspots have been identified in states and districts while for highways and expressways, 18 hotspots and 46 blackspots have been identified,” said Razarudin.
The IGP also advised road users to properly maintain their vehicles before starting their journeys and ensure they get enough rest.
“If you feel sleepy, then you had better stop your vehicle,” he said.
Besides the goal of minimising accidents and ensuring smooth traffic during Op Selamat, Razarudin said the police want to deter house break-ins.
“We advise those who are leaving their homes for a few days to register with the nearest police station by filling up the relevant form.
“They can also fill up the form via the Police Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) 2.0 application.
“Patrols will be increased to check on empty houses during the festival period if they register with the police,” he said.
The VSP 2.0 was recently upgraded to make it user-friendly, he added.
On another matter, Bukit Aman will soon complete the investigation involving DAP’s Tony Pua in connection with his recent comments on the Pardons Board’s reduction of the sentence on former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Razarudin said.
The IGP said the CID’s Special Investigation Unit recorded Pua’s statement on Monday.
“We have about seven days to complete the investigation.
“We will complete it soon and forward the investigation papers to the Attorney General’s Chambers,” he said.
It was reported that Pua was questioned by the police for slightly more than an hour on Monday.
Pua, who was accompanied by lawyer Haijan Omar, entered Bukit Aman at about 1.13pm and left at about 2.30pm.
“I was asked to give a statement pertaining to a sedition investigation in connection with five Facebook posts that I had made.
“I gave my full cooperation to the police,” he had said.
Pua said he could not think of any seditious elements in his Facebook posts.
“We hope the police will conduct a thorough and prompt investigation,” he added.
Previously, the IGP had said that investigations were launched after the former Damansara MP’s comments were uploaded to his Facebook page, as it allegedly insulted the royal institution.
He said Pua’s comments had “elements of inciting the public to hate and insult the royal institution”, in particular the rights of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as enshrined under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution.
