October 14, 2012

Reduced crime rates in Malaysia?



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…”.


[1] Ex-IGP says crime on the rise, refutes official statistics. The Malaysian Insider. July 13, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ex-igp-says-crime-on-the-rise-refutes-official-statistics/

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