New IGP and crime

September 12, 2006

New IGP gives hope in the fight against crime

I refer to the report “IGP declares war on crime” (Star, September 12).

At a time when the rakyat are living in fear due to the ever increasing crime throughout the country, the pledge by the new Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan that fighting crime will be his mission is really a welcome and reassuring message to all Malaysians.

The new IGP appears to be starting his job with the right note, taking positive steps to first put his house in order. He was very right to say that to reduce crime we need to have more beat patrols and crime prevention rounds by uniformed policemen as well as detectives. His directive to redeploy of 800 redundant personnel in Bukit Aman to do real policing work on the ground is very encouraging and a positive sign that he means business.

We hope state police chiefs and Officers in Charge of Police District (OCPDs) heed his call to deploy more uniformed personnel onto the streets and be visible at all times and also to be more responsible and be aware what was happening on the ground.

It is also encouraging that the new IGP is asking for the active cooperation of the public in the fight against crime. In order to facilitate cooperation from the public, he must make available the means for their feedback and communication with the police authorities. Making police reports must be made easy and hassle free. The police force at all levels must be easily approachable and people friendly as this will go a long way in getting the required public support and cooperation.

The IGP must impress upon his men that protecting the rakyat should be the top priority of our police force. They must develop a more professional attitude and come up with a serious, no nonsense nation-wide action plan to put an immediate stop to the escalating crime rate in the country.

They must send a strong message, to the criminals, in no uncertain terms, that they are resolved to do this by whatever means available to them. There should be no compromise on this very vital role of our police force.

Every citizen, regardless of race, creed or sex, has a definite role in the fight against crime. The IGP and other relevant authorities must seriously consider giving equal opportunities for all dedicated young Malaysians to be recruited into the police force to join in this fight to free our nation from these criminals.

Dr.Chris Anthony