PETALING JAYA: This year’s Ops Selamat aims to reduce traffic fatalities as well as house break-ins during the Hari Raya period.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said most police personnel would be on duty throughout Ops Selamat, which would be held from Aug 1 until Aug 15.

“Only 10% of the police force will be on leave during that period.

“The rest of the police personnel will deployed to patrol highways and federal roads as well as patrol homes,” he said after launching Ops Selamat at Bandar Sunway here Tuesday.

Khalid said more than 6,900 road fatalities were recorded throughout last year, which a spike of about 200 deaths, compared to 6,700 deaths in 2011.

“We are very concern over the fatalities. We have 23 million vehicles on the road compared to Australia, which has 30 million vehicles, but have fewer fatalities annually,” he said.

He announced that the Armed Forces Medical team would join the Emergency Response Team for the first time throughout the 15-day campaign.

“The response team will be placed at rest stops along the highway to assist motorists, no matter what the emergency,” he said.

Khalid said the police would also introduce the Ops Selamat toll-free number 1-800-88-1412, courtesy of Telekom Malaysia Berhad.

“The public can call this hotline to report traffic congestion, road accidents or ask for assistance. They can even report a break-in or obtain traffic reports,” he said.

“Ops Selamat aims to enforce the law while educating the public. The awards for good drivers, which was started last year will be continued this year,” he said.

– THE STAR