AUG 13 — In light of the recent killings with firearms, I would like to put forward a particular vantage point on this matter, i.e. from the perspective of human rights. Specifically, a citizen’s right to liberty.

The Connection between Liberty and Violence

Liberty is very much related to the recent spur of violent crimes. The chain of reasoning begins with the proposition that liberty can only be genuinely exercised when there is security.

If violent crimes are not anomalies in a particular country, it can be said that the internal security of the country is compromised. And if the country’s security is compromised, then one’s liberty is severely restricted.

Furthermore, one’s freedom of movement is constrained for fear of one’s life. One’s right to enjoyment of his own private life is unnecessarily restricted for fear of the safety of his family. Liberty is lost without security.

The Far-reaching Effects of Violent Crimes on Human Rights

The impact of a lack of security in a nation is far-reaching upon the welfare of the whole citizenry. For example, economic stability may be at risk. Investors may shy away from the country.

In turn, economic growth may slow down, the unemployment rate may increase, etc. Then, a vicious cycle may begin as crime is almost always associated with poverty.

The lack of employment opportunities may tempt one to the commission of other crimes just to earn a living or earn an extra buck. This would lead to other social ills.

These would affect the whole scheme of the protection of human rights as it would undermine the foundation of rights itself. A person has certain inalienable rights due to a certain dignity attached to him as a human being.

And if a person would have to live in unsafe conditions and cannot find decent employment for his own sustenance and of his family, it cannot be said that the dignity of that person is upheld.

It is true that some of the examples above may seem a little far-fetched and speculative, but it is surely not outside the realm of possibility, especially if nothing is done to deter violent crimes.

The State, Security and the Common Good

Since liberty is tied to security, this has to do with the responsibilities of state as well. The primary function of state institutions is to do what is practically reasonable for the common good of a particular community. Needless to say, security is part and parcel of that common good.

Article 5 of the Constitution provides that a person cannot be deprived of his personal liberty unless it is in accordance to the law. This provision imposes a duty on state authorities to refrain from infringing one’s right to liberty.

But in order to uphold the common good, the state should not just refrain from any infringement but must play an active role in protecting the liberty of every Malaysian citizen.

Concrete steps must be taken not only to investigate such crimes but also to establish preventive measures. Any delay would not help in lowering the crime rate nor would it alter the perception on the security of the nation.

I do not discount the fact that there is genuine effort on the part of the police to deal with violent crimes. But the above would serve as a reminder that the primary role of the state and its agents consists not in consolidation of political power but in securing the common good of the country.

Addressing What is Not Self-evident

Lastly, I would like to dispel a possible misunderstanding on this important matter affecting all Malaysians. One may think that the right to life should be central to any discussion on the recent killings and that I have not made it clear that it is so.

On the contrary, I would agree that the right of life is what is most deeply related to these violent crimes. The cause of such unnecessary loss of human life is to be denounced. However, I have not mentioned much on this for it is already quite self-evident.

What is less self-evident is the fact that such killings have a rippling effect that will affect not only the victims or the family members of the victims, but every single Malaysian citizen.

The effects of such crimes are not limited to this generation alone but to generations to come as well. This is my main emphasis. And for the sake of a secure Malaysia that would uphold the dignity of every individual, something has to be done.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.