KOTA KINABALU, Jan 24 — Sabah police will form a group of volunteers called the Handshake Squad to assist the people in times of natural disaster.

State police commissioner, Datuk Ramli Din said the volunteer squad would comprise officers and members of the police force, as well as its civilian staff who would be mobilised when a disaster occurred.

“Sabah has been exposed to natural disasters like floods, storms, landslides and earthquakes. Hence, we have proposed the setting up of a volunteer squad among the police force.

“This squad will act as a support group to assist victims of disasters during and after the incidents,” he told reporters after attending the state contingent headquarters’ monthly assembly, here, yesterday.

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He said as members of the volunteer squad, they would not be given any allowance or a token in cash but would only be provided with food and accommodation.

“Members of the public who are keen to be volunteers during disasters can also use this platform,” he said.

According to Ramli, the squad would be launched on Jan 27 in Tuaran and its first project would be repairing the houses of 10 needy individuals in Tenghilan.

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On the arrest of 15 members of the ‘Pemuda Panca Marga’  group in Tawau last Saturday, Ramli said police were still investigating the motive of forming the group and would round up its other members.

On another note, Ramli said Sabah police had enough personnel to ensure a peaceful and smooth 14th general election, and training pertaining to this had been conducted since last year. — Bernama