Govt acknowledge rising crime, but is it enough?

Our deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has acknowledged the fact that rising crime is a worrying problem for the Government as reported in today's news.

The NST, 10 August 2006

Govt will provide safe environment

KUALA LUMPUR: Everyone has the right to live without the fear of being attacked or mugged.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the Government would not tolerate such crimes and would continue to work towards a safe environment for the people.

He said this was one of the reasons why Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wanted closed-circuit television cameras across the country to curb crime.

He said there was a need to raise the people’s awareness to help prevent crime.

"It doesn’t mean we are going to reduce the number of policemen but we want people to co-operate with the police to implement a more comprehensive crime prevention strategy," he said at the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation’s charity dinner last night.

He said snatch thefts had become rampant.

"The increasing number of cases should make everyone uncomfortable because who knows, we could be a victim if we are not careful," he said.

He said many people were now living in fear.

"We are shocked by the deaths of a teenager who was mugged in Wangsa Maju and also of a woman in Kuantan."

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Yes sir, we thank you for your kind attention to this matter and the promises made to us (again!) that the Government will work towards a safer environment for the people.

While I agree with you that we all should play a part in assisting the police to combat the rising crime rate, would it not help the situation a whole lot more by providing additional police personnel on walking beats as practised in the past?

From what we see these days, most of our police move around comfortably in their air-conditioned cars and motorcycles. No wonder we see a number of our policemen obviously looking less than fit and trim enough to give chase to criminals should the need arises.

Maybe they lack the exercise they used to get patrolling our streets ON FOOT?

I don't want to sound too negative. I welcome all efforts from all parties in giving utmost attention to this issue and I certainly thank leaders like Pak Lah, Najib and Opposition Leader Mr Lim for being willing to talk about this so that our newspapers can also play their part in promoting the urgency in resolving this menacing problem.

The police should, on top of urging the public to give them full co-operation and a helping hand, also look into all possible avenues to deter petty and dangerous criminals from running loose and fancy free on our streets and neighbourhood.

One precious life lost is one too many to bear for the family and loved ones concerned.

Let us all be proactive and not treat this as merely an exercise in talking. Everyone has said enough to be understood and many promises have been made and forgotten.

Please, for goodness sake, do try harder not to turn this latest episode into yet another "cerita hangat-hangat tahi ayam".

THANK YOU and have a safe day!