Towards a Safer Malaysia

Recent incidents, events, and news about crime and violence in and around the Klang Valley have been disturbing and troubling.

This led to a few Citizens of Malaysia — who have been talking about it, complaining about it, and lamenting about it — deciding about three weeks ago that “enough is enough”.

This led to some discussions about plans and proposals for a safer environment to live in. As a result, the Safer Malaysia project was initiated.

Safer Malaysia is a project by concerned private citizens of Malaysia, which attempts to push for reforms of our security administration.

Safer Malaysia defines “security administration” to include the justice system, the police, and of course, the government which controls it. Safer Malaysia hopes to provide a platform for people who share our concerns and views to air their grievances and concerns. It hopes to act as the voice of the people to promote a safer living environment for Malaysia, and Malaysians.

Currently, Safer Malaysia appears on three online fronts:

1. Facebook: Safer Malaysia
2. Twitter: @SaferMsia
3. Website: safermalaysia.com

In the space of less than two weeks, and with minimal publicity, almost 200 people have clicked “like” on the Facebook page, and over 130 people are following the tweets.

It is noticeable that the people who follow or “like” the respective social media pages have a particular trait, that is, their concern for the safety of their loved ones, and a wish to act on these concerns.

What particularly irked the initiators of Safer Malaysia was not just the news and stories of people who were attacked, but the amazing reply and comments by the relevant authorities about the said crimes. Statistics were released to purportedly show that crime rate had decreased. We read of our Deputy Prime Minister claiming that Malaysia is “the most peaceful country in the region”. We also read of comments by the Home Minister that recent incidents at shopping malls of attempts to abduct ladies or violent attacks on ladies were considered by our authorities as being mere “isolated incidents”.
Perhaps these Ministers were either living on another planet or we Malaysians are just a bunch of people who are really and truly perpetually unlucky to face and be victims of crimes over the years.

Safer Malaysia is not merely a platform for complaints and laments. Safer Malaysia desires to be an initiative to push for reforms and to also reclaim ownership of the issue of safety in our country.

Our plans

Safer Malaysia foresees three stages to the Safer Malaysia project.

In the short-term, Safer Malaysia hopes to host platforms and create avenues for citizens to speak and share their experiences, fears and/or concerns about our safety as citizens of Malaysia. Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media will be used for people to talk about the issues, and update Safer Malaysia of crimes being committed. Safer Malaysia also want to give the victims of the crime a chance to speak of their fortunate experiences (if they wish to do so), to allow the victims a channel to release and speak of their apprehension and fears. If the momentum of this short-term plan picks up, Safer Malaysia hopes to host a gathering and hold a candlelight vigil as a silent and peaceful way of informing the authorities that we are very concerned about crimes in Malaysia.

In the mid-term, Safer Malaysia will draft a memorandum drawing out suggested solutions and proposals of reforms for the security administration. These will be handed to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Education Minister, the IGP of PDRM, the Attorney General, and the Chief Justice of Malaysia. The contents of this memorandum are still in the process of being drafted (we may need some help on this). Flowing from this memorandum, Safer Malaysia hopes to have dialogues with the relevant people to put forward our case.

In the long-term, Safer Malaysia takes the view that the best way to minimize crime is not only to impose heavy penalties or to increase the presence of police, but to give a strong perception that crime absolutely does not pay. To do this, the education system must include programs to teach and ingrain into young Malaysians of the adverse effects of crime on a victim, and that if one does not wish to be such a victim, one should not get involved in crime. Studies must also be made on criminals as to why they did what they did.

For example, was there a psychological study on the murderer of Canny Ong? In the US, authorities studied the infamous Ted Bundy crime and thereafter, from the study, took steps to ensure that the circumstances and social conditions which led to the Ted Bundy committing those crimes would be diminished. Safer Malaysia wants a similar culture of the study of the criminal mind, understanding it and then, and repairing the situation from then on.

Another long-term plan is to inculcate in people’s minds to “not commit crime” instead of to “not be the victim of crime”. For too long, Safer Malaysia feels that the message coming from the authorities is “Don’t get robbed”, “Don’t get raped” or “Don’t get attacked”. Perhaps the correct and appropriate approach ought to be “Don’t rob”, “Don’t rape” or “Don’t attack”. This process will take time to produce results, thus we must start as soon as possible.

Also, in the long-term, Safer Malaysia hopes to work with the authorities to harness the enforcement of law and to help increase its effectiveness. Corruption must stop, and incompetent officers must be removed. This too cannot be done overnight, hence, some time is required to get this taking off.

The comments and plans above, are however not exhaustive. Safer Malaysia concedes that the proposals need more refinement and perhaps some amendments too. However, any project like Safer Malaysia should not be merely a complain bureau, but it ought to also be an initiative to offer solutions to the Government. Any suggestions to improve the above plans will be considered.

Join us

You are invited to join the Safer Malaysia project.

The project has already started with the social media platforms. Safer Malaysia also recently featured on BFM, and will continue to champion the desire of the people for a safer place to live in.

If you are concerned for the safety of your loved ones, worried of what may happen to them, or aghast at the violence and crimes around us, do consider supporting this project.

You may start by following our Twitter account or “liking” our Facebook page. And if you have some time, do visit our website.

Towards a Safer Malaysia!

can be seen on : http://www.loyarburok.com/2012/06/28/safer-malaysia/