PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s statement that police can increase their presence in crowded urban areas by renting more shoplots for use as stations or beat bases is laudable (”Use shops to boost service, cops told” — NST, Jan 29).

The prime minister added that a wider police presence would enable them to respond more quickly to distress calls and boost public confidence.

The police force has the resources to find a shoplot to be used as a police station or a base but to run a police station effectively, it needs office equipment, furniture or any of those items that are needed to make the place look like one.

This is where the private sector, including successful businessmen, come in, by making contributions.

The government can encourage these businessmen and companies, especially those rich corporate ones, to contribute as a form of social corporate responsibility. They can also provide monetary assistance to help maintain and upkeep the police stations.

And as a gesture of goodwill, the government can perhaps provide tax rebates to these companies or individuals making the contributions or donations when they file their tax returns to the Inland Revenue Board.

MOHD FAIZAL ABDULLAH, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – February 4, 2008