In a press statement, he welcomed the new CP to the State, saying that he would visit him soon to share his views on security in the State.

He said the situation had greatly improved after the Prime Minister and Inspector-General of Police ordered all-out efforts to clamp down on gangsterism.

However, Tiong, who is also a Justice of the Peace, said he continued to receive complaints from the rural folks who said their safety was threatened by illegal immigrants “backed up by someone”, who tapped their rubber trees.

“The complainants, who claimed the illegal immigrants came in groups even in broad daylight, dared not confront the strangers for fear of being harmed. So they just watched silently,” he said, adding he had received complaints from Kapit, Sibu, Bintangor, Sarikei and Miri.

He said the people of Lobaan and Bukit Lan in Sibu had also complained to Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, and Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Robert Lau about their security.

He said some farmers also claimed that criminals simply harvested their vegetables and were too frightened to do anything about it.

He said there were cases when such incidents were referred to the police, but shockingly, some officers asked the complainants to give evidence, which made things difficult for the complainants.

Tiong described these criminals as robbers who answered to their masterminds and he did not rule out the possibility that gangsters could be behind them.

He said after the recent anti-gangsterism operation in Sarawak, the situation had improved and the attitude of many police officers had also improved, and there had been better efficiency.

“But I am disappointed with a few officers, like some in Miri and Niah. I continue to receive complaints against them. I hope these officers would not think that being in the police force, they had secure and comfortable jobs, and that if there is anything wrong with them, the worst punishment they get would be a transfer to another place.”