KUALA LUMPUR: Police stations will close their gates at 10pm only if there are two personnel on duty, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, announced today.
Razarudin assured the public that this measure, for stations in remote, and rural areas, would not disrupt service delivery.
"We will sit down with the Management Department to iron out the details, in terms of standard operating procedures, before we implement this.
"That said, the order to close the gates will only apply to police stations located in remote, and rural areas," he said, when contacted on Wednesday.
He explained that for now, the directive will only apply to police stations that have two personnel on duty at night.
"At these stations, one of them will be on duty at the control post, while the other will man the inquiry counter.
"Having the gates closed does not mean that these police stations are closed.
"They will continue to function, and continue to accept those who wish to lodge police reports," he said.
Razarudin added that the SOP will be presented by Management Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim before being implemented in stages.
He said while police stations were often frequented by members of the public to lodge reports, they were also targets for attacks.
"Those who come to these police stations after 10pm should also ensure that they park their vehicles at areas that do not obstruct traffic.
"The personnel at the control post will record the details of anyone who wants to enter the station before they are allowed to go to the inquiry counter," he said.
On Wednesday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said police stations nationwide have been instructed to close their gates after 10pm as part of security measures to prevent incidents like the May 17 Ulu Tiram attack in Johor, from recurring.
He said during the minister's question time in Dewan Rakyat, that this was part of the government's efforts to balance the need for safety and security for both the police and the public.