In the effort to get close to the public, the Johor police (PDRM) have started a convoy from March 30-31, to four districts in the state, namely, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Kluang dan Segamat, that will cover a distance of 361 kilometres.

Johor police chief Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said the event which was held for the second time, comprised 150 participants from Johor PDRM personnel and staff of various districts and departments.

"The convoy will hold community activities such as High Profile Policing and 'gotong royong' in each district visited.

"We want the people to know that the police are concerned over their well-being. Thus, this event enables us to interact with the public while doing activities together with our colleagues from other districts and departments," he said.

He disclosed this to reporters after officiating the 'Kapcai' Motorcycle Tour Meet and Greet programme held in conjunction with the 210th Police Day at the Johor Bahru Police Contingent Headquarters here today.

According to Wan Ahmad Najmuddin, expenses for the activity would be borne by the participants, without involving the government's finances.

He said, the convoy programme was a brainchild of the state's deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Zakaria Ahmad who was also leading the tour this time.

"The participants will spend a night in Mersing and on the following day they will travel to Kluang before advancing to Labis, Segamat. The districts chosen for this tour were those covered in the previous convoy," he explained.

According to Wan Ahmad Najmuddin, the response of the participants towards the programme was so encouraging that the number of participants had to be limited for fear of problems faced when monitoring a large crowd. -- Bernama