KUCHING: In a bid to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public, Head of Sarawak’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken a leap into the world of social media by launching its very own TikTok account.
The initiative was spearheaded by Sarawak CID Chief, Senior Assistant Commissioner Lim Sam Aik, who saw an opportunity to educate and engage the public through short, impactful videos.
Speaking to Utusan Sarawak, Lim said he was inspired a few months ago while scrolling through TikTok and came across videos highlighting crime cases in other countries.
“Social media, especially TikTok, is the trend now that cut across generation. So I thought, why not I use the same platform to reach out to them? It is serious matter and not an entertainment but to inform and warn them about the real consequences of getting involved in criminal activities,” he said.
Lim said the videos shared on the CID’s TikTok account focus on actual criminal cases that happened in Sarawak, cases that have been solved and prosecuted in court.
The goal, he said, is alao not only to educate but also to raise awareness about the law and the hard work police officers put in to ensure public safety.
“This is also a way to show the public that we are doing our part in fighting crime. But we can’t do it alone,” he said.
Lim said the police need the people to be their eyes and ears on the ground. “If they see something suspicious, say something. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential,” he added.
Since its launch, the account has received encouraging responses from viewers with many users commenting positively, praising the department for being more transparent and accessible.
The effort is also seen as a refreshing way for the police to reach out to a tech-savvy audience that may otherwise remain disengaged from traditional public service announcements.
Lim hopes that through this digital approach it will not only help deter crime but also foster trust and cooperation between the police and the community.
For the public, they can catch up with the Sarawak CID’s TikTok journey which has just begun showing a side of police work rarely publicised.
By Connie Chieng