Media Statement by Jenice Lee in Shah Alam on Thursday, 12^th November 2009:

Deep disappointment over Hishammuddin’s blaming the demonisation of the police for the country’s atrociously high crime rate

DAP Socalist Youth (DAPSY) Deputy Chairman and State Assemblyman for Teratai, Jenice Lee, expressed deep disappointment over Home Minister Hishammuddin Hashim’s blaming the demonisation of the police for the country’s atrociously high crime rate.

In a statement today, she also expressed regret over Hishammuddin’s reveling in his own fantasy while having a feeble understanding of the issue.

Lee who is also DAPSY Selangor Chairman said that Malaysians, especially women, are always at risk of snatch thefts in every corner of every street. This included a police district chief in Johor who became a victim. The unacceptably high crime rate is not an illusion but a fact.

She slammed the Minister for turning a blind eye to the hundreds of examples of criminal acts that were presented before his eyes.

“By denying the facts, one would not come up with the remedy; by not coming up with the remedy, one would not solve the disease of the society. Instead of blaming the rakyat, why doesn’t the Minister review the performance of the police force?”, she said.

Lee added that the corrupt practices of Malaysia’s police force had already been reported in Transparency International’s survey. If corruption is not eradicated, the police will not be able to carry out their duties effectively.

She claimed that there was not any credible organization in Malaysia that could check on the performance of the police. Citing the inconclusive probe into the custodial death of A. Kugan as an example, she also said that there were no channels for complaints if cases of police misconduct arose.

She said that an independent police investigation committee was essential as social justice could only be achieved if checks and balances were present.

* Jenice Lee Ying Ha, DAP Socalist Youth (DAPSY) Deputy Chairman & ADUN for Teratai