PUTATAN: July 26, 2026 – Village residents must act as the government’s “eyes and ears” to help maintain a safe and comfortable environment, a Malaysian MP has said.
Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya, the MP for Putatan, said community representatives and village heads had a particular responsibility to report any issues to the relevant authorities.
This would enable the government and its agencies to address security, infrastructure and other local problems more effectively, he added.
“We want everyone to work hand-in-hand to safeguard and improve the wellbeing of their respective villages,” he said during a night-time walkabout on Saturday.
The programme was organised as part of the “Jom Ronda” voluntary patrol scheme by the Petagas neighbourhood watch committee (KRT) in Kampung Sekambu.
Mr Shahelmey, who also chairs the Sabah Oil & Gas Development Corporation (SOGDC), inspected the village’s infrastructure alongside the group.
He said the walk allowed him to observe first-hand the security situation and the village’s atmosphere at night. Issues identified included faulty street lights and a potential site for a new neighbourhood watch post.
“I hope such programmes can be organised again in the future to ensure the Petagas area remains comfortable and safe,” he added.
