KOTA KINABALU – Datuk Jauteh Dikun was officially made Sabah’s police chief today after serving as the acting state police chief for a month.
The Ranau-born 57-year-old is the first senior police officer from the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut (KDM) ethnic group to hold such a post and the third Sabahan to helm the position after Datuk Illyas Ibrahim and Datuk Omar Mammah.
Jauteh was made acting Sabah police chief following the retirement of Datuk Idris Abdullah on March 31.
He was also promoted to the rank of police commissioner from deputy commissioner.
Jauteh held the assistant superintendent rank when joining the force in 1994, climbing to the post of state Crime Investigation Department head from 2018 to 2021 and Sabah deputy commissioner from 2021, before becoming Sabah police commissioner.
He also held various positions such as the Kota Belud police chief between 1997 to 2021, head of the insurance crime unit in Bukit Aman 2010 to 2011 and Kota Kinabalu police chief in 2012, with the rank of assistant commissioner.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said Jauteh’s appointment is timely, as Sabah’s security requires the highest attention from the police force, given the state is a major tourist destination for domestic and abroad visitors.
“As one of the top tourist destinations, Sabah’s security has the highest attention from the Royal Malaysia Police whether from the threat of crimes or activities that could raise concern among the people,” he said.
Acryl Sani said this after a rank conferment event held at the Sabah police headquarters in Kepayan here today.
“Jauteh can help preserve public safety in Sabah, ensure the tourism industry’s well-being, and support the state in enhancing its economy,” he added.
Meanwhile, Acryl Sani also witnessed the handover of the Sabah deputy police chief post from Jauteh to deputy commissioner Shahurinain Jais who was previously the Johor CID chief. – The Vibes, May 2, 2023
