Press Statement by Charles Santiago in Klang on Friday, 13^th November 2009:

Jobs and skills lasting solution to crime. Not trigger-happy approach

The Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein never fails to puzzle us through his statements. Two days ago, in Parliament the Minister blamed the country's high crime rate on the bad-mouthing of the police force and demonisation of the institution.

"Institutions such as the police force are made to be seen as irresponsible, as bad when they are also at the same time just trying to do their jobs. Besides PDRM, the delay in the various trials and judging process is also one of the factors for the escalation of the nation's crime rate," he said.

Hishammuddin's mindless quotes leave us wondering if he is duty-bound to protect the image of the police force. Or is the man who is touted to become the country's future Prime Minister only capable of non-ideological analysis?

But we certainly do not have the luxury of time to indulge in such musings as the country's balance is tilted towards rampant abuse of police powers and a growing sense of insecurity among the public.

The scene of chaos at the Intensive Care Unit, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah hospital in my constituency of Klang, would certainly not appease Malaysians.

A 31-year-old housewife and her two children are fighting for their lives after consuming paraquat. The mother of four is reported to have resorted to suicide as she is overcome by grief over the death of her brother who was shot and killed by the police on Monday. Her other two children are undergoing treatment in a normal ward.

The victim 24- year- old, R Surendran, was one among the five who was shot dead for allegedly being a member of a gang that was responsible for a spate of robberies. This might be true. A 17 year old youth was also killed. But the action of the police amounts to trigger-happy.

Hishammuddin might not agree with accusations that the police have been indulging in random shooting but this is a fact.

The police force has come under fire one too many times for abusing its power. Media reports state that at least 39 people were killed by police in shootouts for the whole of last year. But Hishammuddin's skewed political philosophy clearly shows he is not shy about championing the force.

Public anger against the police, wrapped under the surface calm, is on the rise. Just like the soaring crime rate despite the decrease in designated hot spots. Plans to disburse RM 90 million to the police to upgrade facilities and police stations throughout the country is not a durable solution.

The government needs to resolve crime from a development perspective as opposed to the -- tried and failed - law and security approach. This would involve creating jobs, offering skills training and providing loans and small contracts to vulnerable youths, especially Indian youths.

Essentially, the government at the federal, state and local levels have to create an enabling environment with a view of creating opportunities for the poor and lower middle classes to be socially and economically mobile.

The present trigger- happy approach is not going to solve the crime problem that confronts us.

In the short run, the police force must, instead, work independently and efficiently to cut down the crime rate. As an infant step, it should first focus its efforts on wiping out graft. Wearing badges which scream an end to corruption would not work without instilling discipline among its members.

I call upon the Selangor CPO to institute a public inquiry involving various stakeholders to investigate the killing of the 5 Indian youths. The public inquiry should explain why these men were not arrested as suspects, charged in court, and if found guilty, sent to prison.

And Taking note of the incidences of random shooting by the police, deaths in police custody and other abuses I urge Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to implement the recommendations of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to offer a check and balance to the force.

This would not just increase the integrity of the police in the eye of the public but also reflect positively on the police force.

* Charles Santiago, Selangor DAP Vice Chairman & MP for Klang