The Royal Malaysia Police are fully prepared to ensure the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections run smoothly, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail has confirmed.
Speaking at a press conference after launching the Combat Scam initiative on Monday, June 15, the IGP said the police will deploy the necessary manpower and resources to maintain security and facilitate the electoral process in both states.
"In Johor alone, I understand that between 4,000 and 5,000 additional police personnel will be required. Johor is a large state with about 56 state seats being contested. We need to secure all designated polling centres and voting channels," Mohd Khalid said.
He added that preparations were also underway for the Negeri Sembilan state election, which will be held after Johor's polls. "Police personnel and officers from across the country would be mobilised to assist, depending on the requirements identified by the state police chief. We will do our utmost to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly and effectively," he said.
The Election Commission previously announced that nomination day for the Johor state election has been fixed for June 27, with early voting on July 7 and polling day on July 11. For Negeri Sembilan, nomination day has been set for July 18, while early voting and polling day will be held on July 28 and August 1, respectively.
The Johor state election is expected to cost RM86.8 million, while the Negeri Sembilan polls are estimated to require RM80.6 million. A total of 56 state seats will be contested in Johor and 36 in Negeri Sembilan, with both states going to the polls separately after the dissolution of their respective state assemblies.
Police preparations include securing all 1,181 polling centres across Johor and the additional centres in Negeri Sembilan. The IGP emphasised that public safety remains a top priority throughout the election period, with measures in place to prevent any untoward incidents during the campaign, nomination, and polling phases.
Earlier on the same day, Johor police chief CP Datuk M. Kumar confirmed that Johor police had already finalised their security blueprint for the polls, covering all 56 constituencies. He said the security plan includes crowd control measures, traffic management at polling centres, and rapid response teams for any emergencies.
The IGP's assurance comes as political parties ramp up their election machinery across both states, with Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, and smaller parties preparing for what is expected to be a highly competitive electoral contest.
Sources: The Star, Bernama
