KUCHING, Dec 6 — The fact that crime is a major concern for Malaysians is a reflection of the growing public consciousness of the need to fight crime and to adopt a zero tolerance approach towards crime.
Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it also indicated that Malaysians wanted to see more efforts to tackle crime and that they were not taking crime lightly.
“MCPF welcomes this development and wishes to see this growing concern for crime translated into greater public participation in crime-prevention programmes and activities organised by the foundation.”
He said more Malaysians of all races could and should be actively involved in crime prevention activities in their communities and neighbourhood initiated by their own residents' associations, trade organisations or other non-governmental organisations.
“Undoubtedly, the police bear the major responsibility but the active participation of communities and other segments of civil society forms an essential and critical part of effective crime prevention.
“Effective crime prevention has long-term benefits in terms of reducing costs associated with the criminal justice system as well as other costs that result from crime.
“This is a challenging time for the police as a law enforcer and it must use every means at its disposal to fight crime and protect the public,” he said.
Lee said despite its crime reduction efforts, the police should relentlessly pursue its anti-crime agenda and be provided with all necessary resources to fight and prevent crime.
In this regard, the allocation of RM8.8 billion for the Royal Malaysian Police in the 2014 Budget should further boost the morale of the police to combat crime, he added. — Bernama
