Ongkili Briefs Assembly Members On Unity Programmes
Tuesday, 10 August 2004 (Source : Bernama)

KOTA KINABALU: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili Tuesday briefed Sabah assembly members on programmes being undertaken to promote unity and integration among the people in the country.

The more than hour-long briefing was attended by about two thirds of the Sabah state assembly members.

Met later, Dr Ongkili said the briefing was to give full information on the objectives and programmes of the National Unity and Integration Department, focusing on the role and functions of the Rukun Tetangga (RTs) (neighbourhood watch) which are not well established in Sabah and Sarawak but are widely found in the peninsula.

He said that the response from assembly members was very encouraging.

"They are very happy that they were given the briefing today and said that they will be in touch with officers in their areas to set up the RTs," he said.

Some however complained over the non-existence of RTs in their area.

"That is because there are no requests from the grassroot to set up RTs there. So we informed the assembly members to make the proposals... the requests have to be from the grassroot and the department will be ready to assist to form more RTs," he said.

Dr Ongkili said RTs were voluntary organisation governed under the Essential Regulations 1975 of which among others, spells out that when RT members conduct patrols, they have the power up to the level of police constables -- they can arrest suspects and hand them over to police.

RTs also work by sectors which are gazetted and can be declared as security area anytime when the need arose, he said.

"So it is a very powerful instrument to forge unity and integration as well as to fight crime and I hope in Sabah more will be formed for the purpose for which they are designed for," he said.

RTs were also important channels of communication between the government and the grassroot, he said.

There were 2,766 RTs nationwide with 124 in Sabah. Plans are afoot to set up 60 more RTs in the state within a year, he said.

"The number of RTs in Sabah is relatively low compared to other states like Selangor and Johor where they are most active...I am confident that the existing RTs will be more active and those who are not, will be activated," he said.