Malaysia’s rising population and rapid growth has given rise to many positive developments for the country.
The country managed to reach its target gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 5.0% in the third quarter last year. Malaysia’s total trade from January to November 2013 rose 3.7% to RM1.247 trillion.
The country also managed to bring in over 3 million tourist last year, an increase of 11.40% from the previous year.
However, like many countries, rapid development is often followed by rising crime.
Official statistics show that there were 4,436 violent cases for the first nine months of 2013. Violent robbery cases including gang and armed robberies was at 15,375 cases. Rape cases was at 2,964 and 478 murder cases. Overall, there were 22,357 incidents of violent crime for the first three-quarter of 2013 or 74.9% of 29,840 such incidents in 2012.
Crime does not discriminate.
There has been a rise in cases reported where VIPs seem to be the target of crime. On June 29th, burglars ransacked the bungalow of Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in Bukit Damansara and escaped with valuables worth RM24,000.
Then in July last year, four masked men armed with machetes, climbed over the gate and robbed former Gelang Patah member of parliament Tan Ah Eng and her family of cash and valuables amounting to RM15,000.
Another case was reported in August last year where four men armed with machetes tied up an auxiliary policeman at about 3.30am and broke into the home of former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Tan Sri Isa Samad in Nilai Spring.
On Dec 16 last year, two men, armed with knives robbed Sarawak Culture and Heritage Assistant Minister Liwan Lagang of his four-wheel-drive vehicle, as he was alighting from the vehicle to buy a newspaper early in the morning.
On Sunday, Education deputy minister II was punched by a Umno Hulu Selangor member who is also a teacher over some miscommunication on school transfer issue. The incident happened at Umno Youth meeting in Hulu Selangor.
Are VIPs being targeted?
Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tun Hanif Omar believed that these individuals were not targeted.
“I don’t think they are targeting the VIPs and Ministers, there are so many other people who are also victims of crime.
“Just because a few ministers were victims is not an indicative, we need to put these crimes into context,” he said in a phone interview with Astro Awani.
Ex-IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan agreed and said that these crimes are based on opportunity.
“I don’t think they are targeting VIPs, if these criminals have the opportunity to carry out an offence, they do not care who their victim is,”
Criminologist Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat managed to give Astro AWANI an insight into the minds of these criminals.
“One it could be because of revenge or it could be as a way to threaten the authorities, and finally it could be because of frustration,” she said.
She explained that most of the VIPs represent an organisation or body which the criminals have something against and that they see that VIP as the forefront for the whole organisation.
Another reason could be that they want to threaten the authorities that they should conduct themselves better or else they will be next, she said.
This relates to frustration, where these criminals have had contact with the said VIP or their organisation with a complaint or request, and their voices were not heard.
This has also led to some calling for more protection for the VIPs.
However, Hanif said it was not necessary and that the matter should be left to the police to decide if more protection is needed.
“There is no need for extra protection, if everybody has a bodyguard this will cost the nation a lot of money,” he said laughing.
Musa also suggested that if these VIPs want extra protection it should come from their own pocket.
“There are a number of private securities around, they cannot just depend on the police because the police are stretched enough already,” he said.
Dr Geshina concured with the two former IGPs and added that if a minister or a VIP, as a public figure they should be approachable, but with too many bodyguards this will create a separation between them and the people.
However, she pointed out that everyone has the right to defend themselves and these VIPs should learn to safeguard themselves.
Shein Shanin
Wed Jan 15 2014
Pengusaha padi dan nanas sarawak disaran sertai MAHA 2024
Menteri Pertanian dan Keterjaminan Makanan, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu berkata, penyertaan pengusaha padi dan beras selari dengan kebangkitan dua jenis produk tani ini di Sarawak yang dilihat semakin terkehadapan di negara ini.
Pantau Agenda Reformasi: Gaji minimum RM1,500 tidak mencukupi?
Gaji minimum RM1,500 tidak cukup untuk cover kos di bandar.
Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani, Presiden Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC)
Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani, Presiden Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC)
Pasaran buruh golongan muda global dijangka bertambah baik
Tinjauan pasaran buruh global untuk golongan muda dilaporkan bertambah baik dalam tempoh empat tahun lepas dan trend menaik dijangka berterusan untuk dua tahun mendatang.
Polis rampas 50kg syabu, 6kg ekstasi RM2.6 juta
Polis berjaya menumpaskan kegiatan penyeludupan dadah bernilai RM2.6 juta selepas menahan seorang lelaki yang bertindak sebagai transporter di Sabak Bernam, pada Khamis lepas.
Nilai kerja sektor pembinaan cecah RM75.7 bilion pada separuh pertama 2024
Nilai kerja pembinaan bagi separuh pertama 2024 menunjukkan peningkatan sebanyak 17.2 peratus kepada RM75.7 bilion berbanding tempoh sama pada 2023.
Institusi tempatan beli bersih RM1.19 bilion saham bursa Malaysia
Institusi tempatan melakukan pembelian besar minggu lalu, dengan pembelian bersih ekuiti bernilai RM1.19 bilion di Bursa Malaysia.
Kos pengeluaran dan permintaan MSM meningkat
Harga minyak sawit mentah (MSM) diunjur berada dalam lingkungan RM3,000 hingga RM3,500 satu tan untuk jangka masa panjang didorong kenaikan kos dan peningkatan permintaan.
Islamic Tourism Month kembali pada 16 Ogos 2024
Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) mengumumkan Islamic Tourism Month (ITM) kembali lagi pada 16 Ogos sehingga 30 September 2024. Acara ini memaparkan gabungan menarik pelancongan, budaya, warisan, alam semula jadi dan tawaran gaya hidup.
Polis buru 4 lagi suspek kes culik berhampiran Plaza Tol Lebuhraya MEX
Polis percaya kesemua suspek yang diburu itu, tiga lelaki dan seorang wanita, masih berada dalam negara.
Kerajaan perkukuh ekosistem industri kenderaan elektrik untuk galak penggunaan - Loke
Loke berkata pembelian EV di negara ini masih rendah berikutan pelbagai kekangan.
Do postponements cause delays in the Courts?
Cases may often be postponed or otherwise delayed for various reasons. The truth of the matter is that these delays may be necessary due to the Rule of law and due process.
Father of kidnapped boy in Kajang buys ad to clear taxi driver's name
Lee Kim Wen said he and his family are grateful for the help and confident that the taxi driver was not involved in the kidnapping.