999 ERODES PUBLIC CONFIDENCE

In general we can say there is no serious crime that cannot be solved by the Royal Malaysian Police, but on the other hand the plunging crime statistics (NKRA)are defied by new waves of crime cases throughout the country  to the extent of eroding public confidence.

The people in general feel cynical about the police’s countless statements on declining crime rate index.

An air of gloominess hang in the morning air as we read about violent crime stories in the newspapers such as a grandmother being raped, robbed and killed, and bad hats terorrising the community, kidnapping children and adopting new ways of commiting street robberies, loan sharks threatening families, gang fights and rivalries putting revellers in fear, and many more.

The situation is like staying in major cities such as New York in the '70s. It was unsafe to walk alone in New York then.

Blacks are notorious for major crimes in the U.S., but they were cast as police officers in films and television serials, even though in reality they are still not many Blacks in the police force. Blacks feel that they are not only regarded as criminals, but also security guards who are fighting and hostile towards corrupt police personnel.

Suffice to say Kuala Lumpur can be likened to New York in early 70s. On the whole, the public is cynical about the crime index espoused by the police or a minister. For example, the prime minister's had lamented "street crime has decreased by39.7% and crime index by 11.1%.
"The 2011 Reducing Crime National Key Results Area (NKRA) surpassed its target with more than 8,000 confiscations and arrests made".

This index is correct, but do you believe it?

During the reign of Mahathir, crime cases are not encouraged to be published or aired to the extent that Malaysia was seen as a crime hotbed. Extensive exposure of crime cases could result in the public being insensitive or regard crime as a normal occurence that could no longer be overcomed. Mahathir felt that without control on dissemination of crime news, tourists will be driven away while public confidence will dissipate. But after Mahathir, not only there is no clampdown on crime news, but it is being exploited byTV3 for commercial gain.

The 999 programme on TV3 depicts an interesting coverage of crime cases and the police are also excited with the publicity accorded in their pursuit of criminals.

In Singapore, crime stories continued to be suppressed and not a priority to TV channels.We are in a dilema, do we promote or curtail crime news? Exposure may raise public alertness and awareness on crime or on the contrary, erode public confidence.

Has crime news encourage bad hats, especially from neighbouring countries to make their way to Malaysia which is regarded as a heaven for them -- they could cross the border freely with local contacts readily available and they know the places of their hideouts, and so forth.

Indonesian media do not publish and broadcast news of their countrymen commiting crimes in Malaysia - almost every day. But once irresponsible policemen robbed Indonesian workers, the news will be portrayed as if it is a daily occurance. Mind you, our police are also being alleged of stealing organs of dead Indonesian burglars.

Najib understands that the public do not easily believe countless statements on declining crime rate. Hence, he said, "It is our duty to reduce the discrepancies between public perception on crime and improving the reality."

It is better to stop issuing statements on the NKRA on Reducing Crime Index for the sake of giving a good impression. We cannot be lulled in a denial syndrome while the actual situation is not convincing. Suffice to say, promoting crime news have dampened public confidence in the police and the government.