(Ipoh, Friday): Public to safety in Malaysia had collapsed by the turn of the new millennium. The incidence of rapes and murders, robberies, snatch thefts, and house break-ins has shot up by leaps and bounds, taking the headlines of the media on an almost daily basis.

After Canny Ong was abducted and murdered, there was a public outcry for immediate and appropriate action from the authorities, particularly the federal government, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the police force.

Things became so bad that Malaysians, particularly women, could not walk our streets without fear of being attacked violently, robbed, raped or murdered, often in broad daylight. The Police seemed to be at a loss as to what to do to arrest or reverse the situation.

In December 2003, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the formation of a Royal Commission to examine the conduct and management who desperately wanted an efficient police force to deal with rising crime in Malaysia society.

The Prime Minister is also heading the special task force on public safety. How effective has this task force been since it was formed?

For a year or so, the Royal Commission conducted public hearings in different parts of the country. On the 16 May, 2005, it released its 607-page report which made 125 recommendations for improvements to the police force.

However, the government was painfully slow to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission. And its has not been transparent on recommendations it says have been implemented. As Amnesty International Malaysia has pointed out, “The Prime Minister stated in January 2006 that 91 (65%) of the recommendations have been implanted. Another 19 recommendations have yet to be implemented (15%) and a remaining 25 (20%) are still being studied. No details of which recommendations have been implemented have been made public.”

Up to date, the Royal Commission’s recommendation for the setting up of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) has yet to be implemented; 14 months after the Royal Commission had released its report!

Sadly, only on 11 August, 2006 – almost three long years after he took over as Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs – did Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi order the police to step up patrols and establish a stronger presence in towns and cities. Although he dishonestly put the blame on public apathy rather then his own government’s utter in efficiency for the rise in crime, particularly snatch thefts.

Public Safety Further Collapses.

As the Government and the police force seem to be mired in a pond of inefficiency and poor leadership, public safety in the country has collapsed even further in recent weeks.

Clearly, what is needed is direct action by Malaysians who wants to see public safety restored in our streets and homes and schools and places of work. In view of the failure of the Government to ensure public safety, it is imperative upon all Malaysians who respect law and order and love peace and tranquility to take the lead to restore public safety in our society. We can no longer afford to wait for leadership from a Government which clearly lacks the political will to lead in what is arguably the most basis and important area of our lives.

Citizens’ Initiatives.

In the face of the political paralysis of the Government and the bureaucratic paralysis of the police force in regard to public safety, it is absolutely imperative for Malaysian citizens from all walks of life to come forwards to restore public safety for themselves and their children and grandchildren and for the country at large. Malaysians should and must be actively involved in thinking aloud and going forthwith citizens’ initiatives to restore public safety. We cannot afford to wait any longer for a government and a police force that have failed miserably to take care of our public safety. Malaysians should and must be responsible for their own public safety.

For a start, Malaysians should form citizens’ groups to discuss ways and means to organize themselves in the best possible manner to fight crime in their midst. They could form, for instance, citizens vigilante groups to patrol and protect their own neighbor woods from criminals

There is no lack of ideas and proposals on how Malaysians could get together to fight back against rising crime. The urgent and important things is; Organise, don’t agonise.

These citizens’ groups can meet on a regular and organized basis to formulate initiatives and action to protect society. For in the final analysis, together we shall prevail.

(18/08/2006)