Public can also make a citizen's arrest: Cops

KOTA KINABALU - Private individuals have the right to nab anyone found to have committed a crime and surrender the person immediately to the police.

Tanjung Aru Police Station Chief, Sub Inspector Abdul Samad Hj Sumadi, said on Thursday these rights are stipulated in the Criminal Procedure Code.

He said this during the launching of the Volunteer Patrolling Scheme (SRS) for Kg Matambai in Penampang, here.

"I wish to inform that SRS members who are on duty can capture those found to have committed crimes and immediately surrender them to the nearest police station," he said.

Samad, however, said most crimes happened due to negligence especially to those who are ignorant and don't seem to care about safety.

Not having securing systems such as grill, windows left opened, leaving the house for a long period without informing the police are some examples, which are causes for house break-ins, he said.

On another note, he said SRS units could assist the police to fight crime.

However, he reminded SRS members to keep a high level of discipline and screen new members.