I attended a discussion and press conference yesterday to talk with residents in Bangsar regarding crime. I met with Preity Ganthani who was a victim of a snatch theft and nearly lost the use of her arm. The issue of crime is one that is plaguing the country. Everyday you see one of the Pakatan Rakyat MPs having an anti crime drive or campaign to highlight the rising issue of crime.
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We all know the inherent problems faced within our police force and governance in this country. Therefore it is important that the IPCMC is implemented by the government! As a legislator, I feel this is how the Police Force will get it act together! My statement below encapsulates my thoughts on the issue.
The recent spike of crime in Lembah Pantai lately, especially in Bangsar is extremely distressing. Incidents such as gang robberies, snatch thefts and even break-ins that frequently occur in broad daylight goes to show that the crime is now a feature in our daily lives. The existing avenues for not only prevention but also recourse with the authorities leave a lot to be desired.
Preity Ganthani is another victim of snatch theft. She represents only one case of the many victims of crime. She suffered extensive injuries to her arm from which her bag was snatched and is lucky to still have it attached. This young girl had to spend 4 long days in the hospital. She is lucky enough to be with us today.
I do not like to repeat myself but it is important for us to hold the government of the day responsible in providing a more secure environment for its citizens.
Consequently, recognising the weaknesses in the safety apparatus of the country, it is imperative that government of the day implements the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). With an avenue such as the IPCMC, it will allow for greater collaboration and a civil society in recognizing key weaknesses and identifying changes that can be made to improve the Police Force.
Our current ratio of police personnel to population is comparable to Interpol’s standards. This means there has to be a reassessment of the effectiveness of current policing measures. This underlines the need for the IPCMC.
Specific to Lembah Pantai, from discussions with concerned citizens and members of the public and certain key individuals in the constituency, we are moving ahead with a series of action-oriented programmes. Dialogues will be started with the local Residents Associations, local Police Force, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation and also Rukun Tetangga. This is a call for residents to partake in this initiative.
Statement in BM below
Seruan untuk Memerangi Jenayah
Saya amat bimbang dengan kenaikan jumlah kes-kes jenayah di Lembah Pantai terutamanya di Bangsar. Insiden-insiden seperti rompakan berkumpulan, ragut dan pecah masuk yang kerap berlaku pada waktu siang hari menunjukkan bahawa kita sekarang bukan sahaja terpaksa menghadapi harga barang yang meningkat tetapi juga jenayah berleluasa
dalam kehidupan harian. Langkah-langkah yang sedia ada untukmencegah atau menyelesaikan kes jenayah belum cukup berhasil.
Saya juga hadir bersama Preity Ganthani, seorang lagi mangsa ragut yang diserang di luar premis ini. Kes Preity hanyalah satu kes dalam ribuan mangsa jenayah yang lain. Preity telah cedera di lengan apabila begnya diragut dan terpaksa mendapat rawatan di hospital selama 4 hari demi menyelamatkan lengannya. Kita bersyukur Preity masih berada bersama kami pada hari ini.
Saya tidak suka untuk mengulangi desakan-desakan terdahulu kepada pihak berkuasa. Tetapi, insiden seperti ini membuktikan betapa pentingnya bagi kerajaan untuk melaksanakan tanggungjawab dalam menyediakan sebuah negara yang selamat untuk Rakyat Malaysia.
Justeru, dalam mengakui kelemahan-kelemahan dalam sistem keselamatan Negara, adalah sangat mustahak bagi Kerajaan pusat mewujudkan Suruhanjaya Bebas Aduan dan Salahlaku Polis (IPCMC). Dengan adanya IPCMC, ia akan membuka ruang untuk kerjasama yang lebih antara pihak polis dan wakil-wakil dari masyarakat madani (civil society) dalam menyedari kelemahan yang ada dan mengenal pasti perubahan yang perlu dibuat untuk memperbaiki pasukan Polis Negara.
Nisbah anggota polis kepada penduduk Malaysia sangat hampir kepada taraf yang disyorkan oleh INTERPOL. Ini bermakna, perlu adanya penilaian semula keberkesanan langkah-langkah yang digunakan pihak polis sekarang. Ini menunjukkan keperluan IPCMC.
Secara khusus, dalam membincangkan scenario di Lembah Pantai, saya, bercadang untuk mengadakan rundingan khusus bersama badan-badan bukan kerajaan, penduduk-penduduk dan tokoh-tokoh penting setempat dalam merangka program-program ‘action-oriented’ di lokasi-lokasi strategik. Kita akan mulakan dialog bersama Persatuan-persatuan penduduk, Pihak Polis, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation dan juga Rukun Tetangga. Saya menyeru semua penduduk setempat untuk bersama kita mengambil bahagian dalam usaha ini.
