Police launch 'Ops Selamat 12' in conjunction with Chinese New Year (Updated)

HULU SELANGOR: In conjunction with the Chinese New Year festive season from Feb 9 to 23, the Royal Malaysia Police today launched the nationwide police operation, 'Ops Selamat 12'.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the operation was aimed at preventing break-ins at homes and minimising road accidents during the festive season.
He said the implementation of 'Ops Selamat' last year showed a positive impact on lowering road accidents and fatalities.
He said 235 fatal accidents were recorded last year as compared to 261 in 2016, while deaths showed a drop of 22 cases to 257 cases last year, compared to 279 cases in 2016.
"Some of the causes of (road) deaths have been identified as carelessness (on the part of drivers and motorcyclists), swerving to the opposite lane, sudden stop of the vehicle and physical factors such as drowsiness," he told a press conference after flagging off the 'Ops Selamat 12' and the Highway Investigation Unit (USLR) for Central Zone at the Ulu Bernam Rest and Service (RSA) area on the North-South Expressway here today. — Bernama
Also present were North-South Expressway (PLUS) Malaysia Berhad chairman Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim, Malaysian Highway Authority director-general Datuk Ismail Md Salleh and Bukit Aman Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department director SAC Sharul Othman Mansor.
Mohamad Fuzi appealed for public cooperation that would help reduce traffic accidents and house break-ins.
Meanwhile, the USLR was set up in three zones along the North-South Expressway to investigate minor accidents.
Mohamad Fuzi said the USLR had received positive response during its trial phase implemented on Sept 7, 2016 and a survey being carried on 400 customers found that 383 of them described its establishment as "very good".
"I hope the USLR, comprising three officers and 63 personnel assigned by its respective zones, namely, Northern Zone (Perlis-Ipoh), Central Zone (Ipoh-Seremban), Southern Zone (Seremban-Johor Baru), will help overcome problems faced by highway users and further expand its services from time to time," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Sheriff said PLUS had made various arrangements to facilitate the smooth running of traffic, especially from the aspect of traffic distribution such as toll rebates and issuance of travel time advisory to help people plan their journey. — Bernama