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Press Statement

by Lim Guan Eng

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(Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had expressed alarm at the shocking rise in the crime index with serious crimes rising by 13.4 per cent nationwide last year, particularly gang robbery without the use of firearms rising by more than 159 per cent and rape cases up by about 30%. However he should be even more worried at the anti-crime remedial measures proposed that are too little, too late as well as not tough enough in fighting both crime and the causes of crime.

According to the latest crime index released by the police today, the average increase in overall crime in 2007 is 7.1%. But the percentage of increase in selected breakdown of serious crimes for 2007 will frighten ordinary Malaysians, especially women and children:

• Rape - 3,177 cases (+ 29.5%)
• Outraging modesty - 2,320 (+ 12.4%)
• Night-time home break-in - 24,440 (+ 21.7%)
• Day break-in - 9,159 (+4.2%)
• Motorcycle theft - 67,854 (+ 3.2%)
• Car theft - 12,427 (+ 11.4%)
• Snatch theft - 11,127 (+0.5%)

Abdullah government’s has failed dismally to provide one of the basic functions of good governance which is public safety. With 3,177 rapes and 2,320 outraging of modesty cases last year, this means that there are 8.7 rapes and 6.4 women molested daily last year. In other words 15 women are raped and molested a day last year. These are only reported figures and the actual rapes and molest cases could be much more as it is generally known that for every report lodged there are as high as 5 unreported cases. Such frightening figures are unacceptable in a civilized and caring society such as Malaysia.

How can Abdullah talk about acting quickly in fighting crime by installing CCTVs in buildings and public places as the solution? Such action is no different from disclaiming responsibility for rising crime and shifting the burden from the police to the public. Other measures such as hiring more police and setting up more police stations have all been heard before showing that there are no new, original or creative ideas by the police and the government to fight crime.

The government can act speedily, adequately by adopting DAP’s twin pronged solution which not only is tough on crime, but also tough on the causes on crime. The government should accept the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Police by establishing the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) and employing 100,000 extra policemen to patrol the streets.

Abdullah must concede the tired and traditional remedies are not working. He must boldly admit that one of the causes of crime is the misconduct, widespread abuse of power and corruption within the police force that cripple their ability to combat crime. Such abuses of power and corruption have sapped public confidence in the ability of the police. The police would be the first to admit that the battle against crime can only be won with the confidence and co-operation from the public. Only the IPCMC can overcome this malaise within the police force by winning back public confidence and compel the police to refocus on successfully combating crime.

There are not enough policemen patrolling the streets and even though employing 100,000 policemen to patrol the streets is costly, it is a practical and a real solution to the escalating crime. Doing so may cost us an extra RM 10 billion but what is RM 10 billion when such violent crimes cost the country more than RM 15 billion in 2006 and may be higher more last year. Spending RM 10 billion to employ 100,000 extra policemen would not only be cost effective due to the huge financial losses from crime but avoid the physical pain and injury inflicted on innocent victims and their families.

DAP has conducted a nation-wide public campaign by pressing for the adoption of the IPCMC and employing 100,000 policemen to patrol the streets to ensure that Malaysians enjoy the four basic rights of security to work, study, live and study in a safe environment. DAP urges the Prime Minister to adopt DAP’s twin proposals to ensure that his government fulfils his mandate and promise to protect and promote public safety.