Many may not know, but Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-cultural
nation. Our population comprises ethnic groups of Malay, bumiputra (Malay
and non-malay indigenous people), Chinese and Indian. At an early stage
of our upbringing we have to learn to maintain high tolerance within the community
as different ethnicity practices different religion, values and beliefs.
Despite our differences, the importance of safety and security within the
community is very vital to all Malaysians. Our most fearful and darkest days
still remain on the events that had occurred on the 13th of May
1969, where riots broke lose due to racial politics, which have caused the
death of over 180 lives or more in less than 3 months. It has been more than 40
decades now since after the dreadful unrest and racial tension. Today, despite
the occasional racial criticism we hear in the news amongst political leaders
and government officials, we still maintain our ground as a peaceful and sound society
overall.
However, one of the
most pressing security issues faced by Malaysians today is the rising crime
rates in populous cities. Be it snatch theft, kidnapping, assaults, robberies
or carjacking, the statistics for these crimes are rising. Despite government
efforts in reducing crime rates, many citizens are facing difficulties in
combating these issues. Even though the responsible authority on addressing
these issues have held on statistics showing that the country’s crime
rate has dipped considerably[1],
many of us are still sceptical to the result of the statistics, urging and suggesting
to government that they appoint other third party to conduct an independent
review. These crime rates are also highly attributed by the weakening economy
and lax in implementing migration laws. On top of our local criminals, citizens
of Malaysia are faced with challenges and threats by immigrants from Indonesia,
Nigeria and Iran. Many reported snatch theft victims end up in Intensive Care
Unit (ICU) or die as they hit their head hard on the ground while their bodies
are being dragged.
In Malaysia, even though the issues of crimes are not as controversial
as the U.S.’s involvement in aiding rebels in Afghanistan in going against
their de facto government, the Royal Malaysia Police (Polis Diraja
Malaysia, PDRM) force is weak in their reinforcement of laws and “intelligence
procurement” in crime prevention. Although countless reports are lodged by
citizens, the successful outcomes of those reports are bleak and unnoticeable.
More and more people are voicing out their experiences on social network as
warning to others. Where are the leaders that have promised in addressing and
combating these issues? I fear that, like other nations that have followed the
democratic and capitalist system, we will now embark into the era of criminal
oppression faster than before you could say “O shit…”.
