PUTRAJAYA: For those who have run out of food, do not fret – just call the cops.

       The men in blue have taken on another role, which is to ensure those who are in need of food will get the necessary aid.

       Codenamed Ops Bantu, in line with the police’s slogan “Sedia Berkhidmat” or Ready to Serve, this initiative by the Home Ministry will involve all 157 district police headquarters nationwide.

       “While the core responsibility of the police is enforcement, it is also their role to assist the public. Under Ops Bantu, this is the side of the police force which the public will get to see.

       “We hope that through this initiative, we can reach out to those in need. Please do not hesitate to get help,” said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

       Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Zainal Mohamed Mohamed said district police have identified those in need and will distribute the necessary aid to them.

       “We have gathered information on those desperately in need of aid, including those who raised white flags at their homes.

       “All police personnel have been tasked with identifying such families and we will distribute the necessary aid through Ops Bantu,” he said when contacted yesterday.

       ACP Zainal said 10 needy families in Taman Selayang Baru received assistance in terms of food and provisions yesterday, adding that more aid would be distributed in the coming days.

       Gombak police have also formed a committee to connect the needy with relevant agencies such as the Welfare Department and Selangor Zakat Board.

       “Our personnel and officers have also contributed by buying essential items and provisions. Anyone who comes to the district police headquarters can get the daily necessities that they need,” he added.

       Wangsa Maju OCPD Supt Ashari Abu Samah said the district police’s Amanita volunteer unit has been deployed to distribute aid under Ops Bantu, and 10 families were helped yesterday.

       “We will get information on needy families or individuals from every police station chief and resident association in the district. We will then distribute the aid accordingly,” he said.

       The district police headquarters also received contributions of essential items and food from NGOs, he said, adding that the items would be passed to police stations, which had been tasked with giving the aid to those in need.

       Supt Ashari said the public can come to the district police headquarters or police stations to get such aid and other necessities, adding that those who are unable to travel such as the disabled or senior citizens, would have the necessities sent to them.