THE PBA Holdings Bhd (PBAHB) auxiliary police team has successfully kept all of Penang’s water supply facilities safe and secure in the past five years.
PBA Holdings Bhd (PBAHB) and Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said their excellent efforts also helped maintain public safety at dams.
“Since Penang’s dams are open to the public from 7am to 7pm daily, PBAHB auxiliary police security posts have been set up in the Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam.
“These posts are manned on a 24/7 basis, and the officers patrol the dam areas every two hours.
“So, as a result of their good work, there have been no major crime cases or incidents in the dam premises. So, I am very proud of this achievement.
“This is important because the Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam are popular green recreation areas that are accessed by thousands of walkers, hikers, runners, cyclists and tourists every month.
“So, public safety is a must,” Jaseni said in his speech during the ‘Donning of Ranks Ceremony of PBAHB auxiliary police’ at Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant in Butterworth today.
Also present was state police chief Comm Datuk T. Narenasagaran.
Apart from that, Jaseni said PBAHB auxiliary police team also was in charge of security at all water supply installations in the state on a daily basis.
“This is including the 14km Sungai Dua Canal, nine water treatment plants, nine main pumping stations, three one-stop operations complexes, 58 reservoirs and nine customer care centres.
“So far, there are no serious security issues at those places,” he added.
Speaking about the programme today, Jaseni said there are 44 new auxiliary police constables officially appointed while another four received the promotion.
“In total, we currently have 138 auxiliary police personnel, headed by an Assistant Superintendent (ASP).
“The team operates 24 security posts, and is equipped with six patrol cars and 12 motorcycles. Other vehicles include a new four-wheel drive truck and three off-road motorcycles that were commissioned today.
“Thus, with more manpower and vehicles, PBAHB auxiliary police will continue to prioritise the security of Penang’s water supply installations and public safety at Penang’s dams,” Jaseni said.
Meanwhile, Comm Narenasagaran expressed hopes that PBAHB auxiliary police would continue to share any information regarding criminal activity to the police in an effort to curb criminal activity more effectively.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis