Standing up to crime

There is an urgent need to revisit the current measures in place so as to seriously contain the surge of criminal activities in the country.

COMMENT

By R Kengadharan

The general public expects and relies on police officers to protect and keep everyone safe. And the public in general appreciate the many sacrifices the police make on a daily basis.

While the police cannot be everywhere, they rely upon public cooperation to strengthen their investigations and surveillance.

An accountable police force must be subjected to public scrutiny and the public has a right to scrutinise police actions just as they have the right to scrutinise ours.

It is impossible to prevent crime from happening. But the most important lesson is when a crime is committed and/or happens, everyone needs to be ready and stand up to help.

From a social perspective, combating any kind of social problems or illness is extremely complicated but if we could handle it at its infancy, there’s a better chance of solving the problem.

The commission of crimes today has become more sophisticated and we require corresponding modification in the laws.

When there is widespread corruption in civil society, harsh economic climate and unemployment, disregard for the rule of law and lack of transparency and accountability in governance, it is completely impossible to reduce crime.

Even the imposition of heavier punishments and sentences and the creation of draconian laws may not be so useful when we principally failed to address or attack the cause of crime.

Perhaps we should develop practical solutions that are acceptable and supported by all stakeholders and the participation and cooperation of the community at large becomes more crucial.

According to a FMT report on Oct 2, “54% of people interviewed in a police survey felt that the country was unsafe”. However, the Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar says “the survey results were just a matter of perception”. How absurd can this response be?

Interim measures needed

Perhaps there is an urgent need to revisit the current measures in place so as to seriously contain the surge of criminal activities in the country.

The following options must be adopted as a quick interim measure:

• appoint an independent body without links with the government to gather and formulate crime statistics;
• there have to be drastic improvements in police operations;
• constantly monitor and supervise the activities of gangsters and criminals;
• frequent patrolling of neighbourhoods and employ retired police officers.

We must identify tangible measures for a comprehensive approach aimed at achieving more effective and efficient crime control or we may soon be denied of law and order in civil society.

Embarking on a massive intake of police personnel will not solve the current problems. Instead, we must consider more qualitative factors.

Remember, unless we stand up to crime, it possesses the strength and wave to destroy the very fabric of civil society.

R Kengadharan is a lawyer and a former ISA detainee