Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 2^nd July 2012: 

The break in of Former Melaka CM's house confirms fears about the worsening public security situation 

The break-in of former Melaka Chief Minister’s Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik’s house in Kuala Lumpur confirms fears about the worsening public security situation in Malaysia and fully repudiates assurances by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamudin Tun Hussein Onn that one or two violent criminal incidents does not indicate rising crime in Malaysia. Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik’s house was reported broken into by burglars, who took away cash and a pistol.

Losing a pistol to criminals is a serious development that has dangerous public safety implications. If VIPs are also not safe, how can ordinary members of the public be safe? Datuk Seri Hishamudin indifferent dismissal of the media reports of crime is clearly irresponsible as he is insensitive not only to the suffering endured by victims but also to the real concern amongst the public about crime.

Relying solely on statistics is both lazy and wrong as Hishamudin must understand that facts and figures have no human dimension of the loss or injury suffered from criminals. In other words, whilst the facts and figures may show that that the crime index has fallen what is more important is whether an individual feels safe. Telling that one is safe just because the crime index has fallen is irrelevant when now, a woman does not feel safe in the Klang Valley just going into the car park.

Hishamudin should retract his insensitive remarks and give his full attention to the worsening crime situation before it develops into a full blown crisis. Let us not forget Bersih steering committee member Wong Chin Huat was left bloodied after being attacked while jogging in Petaling Jaya, while teacher Teoh Soo Kim, 51, was left fighting for her life after suffering severe head injuries during her abduction. A 12-year-old in Ipoh and a 20-something in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya narrowly escaped abduction in the past month, episodes that followed after the high-profile ransom case of 12-year-old Dutch national Nayati Moodliar, which gained international media coverage.

The time has come for the police not to be distracted by political directives to deal with peaceful law-abiding demonstrators or elected Pakatan Rakyat leaders and focus instead on their core duty of combating criminals. Prevention is always better than cure. DAP urges the Federal government to invest funds in public safety through using technology by installing CCTVs, supporting active community policing by voluntary patrol groups and making the police presence felt at criminal hostpots.

*Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary General & MP for Bagan