The case occurred while Tiong was in Kuala Lumpur, and in a telephone interview last week with The Borneo Post, he expressed deep concern over the incident and vowed to put the matter on top of his work agenda.

 Tiong had met Bintulu police chief, Supt Sulaiman Abdul Razak, on his return and the police had assured him of their commitment in solving the case.

 Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tiong said although the armed robbery had shocked the town, the overall crime situation had always been under control.

 Hence he urged the people to work with the police to bring the robbers to justice as soon as possible.

 “It is understandable that the people are anxious, so I am calling for public crime.”

 He said he had studied the facts surrounding the case and he found criminals had been targeting new residential  areas and areas where there were economic boom.

 “The community must work with the authorities to ensure that we maintain the security and peace in Bintulu. Work with the Rela as well.”

 Tiong also encouraged residents to form neighbourhood watch committees to help themselves and the authorities as the police had hinted that the robbers could be still in town.

 He called on employers, oil palm plantation owners and house owners to hire only foreign workers who have proper travel papers and work permit, “or else you will be importing troubles.”

 He said illegal immigrants did not have their particulars recorded by the authorities, and it was therefore easy for them to rob and run.

 “Employers should hire foreigners after applying for them. In this way, the authorities can keep track of their  records, whereabouts and movements.”

 He called on the authorities to process their applications carefully,a nd at the same time, he hope the employers would be responsible when hiring foreigners.

 “Watch their activities and iof the residents find suspicious people in their neighbourhood, call the police too.”

 Tiong also expressed his worry that a few crimes had occurred along the coastal highway. He called on the police to patrol the road and set up road blocks to monitor the movement of cars and people.

 He said that in maintain the town security, Rela also played an important role, “but the leader of the movement in Bintulu was inactive”.

 “There is no place for such a leader when the community needed the service of his organization,” he said.

 He urged the leader to re-activate his group, or else he would refer the matter to Rela headquarters. He said he might even bring the matter to the ministry for further action.

 The MP added that he had also received complaints from the public that  Rela members had been asking for cash rewards for their services.

 He discourage such a practice, saying that the members should aim to serve with heart.

 “But, it would be different story if the public or organizations gives monetary reward to show their appreciation.”

 In the Taman Gloria armed robbery at 6 am last week, the six masked robbers had waited for the dogs to be placed on case before they climbed in to bind the gardener him and three maids.

 The robbers entered the house, pointed a pistol at the  owner’s head and put a  knife to his neck before binding five adult family members and confining them in a room.

 They ransacked the house and took money amounting to RM15,000, jewellery and other valuables.

 They even fired two shots into the air when they saw a man approaching the house.