Hishammuddin’s statement drew criticisms from the opposition. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein blamed the country's high crime rate on the demonisation of institutions such as the police.
He said this in Parliament yesterday evening, immediately drawing stinging criticisms from members of the Opposition.
"Institutions such as the police force are made to be seen as irresponsible, as bad when they are also at the same time just trying to do their jobs. Besides PDRM, the delay in the various trials and judging process is also one of the factors for the escalation of the nation's crime rate," said Hishammuddin.
He said one of the ways to deal with the matter is to speed up the legal process.
He also identified four major states in the country as havens for criminal activities — Penang, Selangor, the Federal Territory and Johor. However, he said that the crime wave in Selangor and the Federal Territory has gone down drastically due to measures taken by the ministry as well as the police.
Among these measures are the increase in police presence and surveillance in 50 identified hot spots (crime-riddled areas). This has apparently been effective in minimising the number of criminal cases.
Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua hit out at this plan, saying that while crime in the hot spots had indeed decreased, the crime wave in the other "peaceful" areas in the country had in effect increased as police officers from these stations were relocated to help assist those in the hot spot areas.
The government also plans to install CCTV cameras in several areas..
"Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) plans to install an additional 100 CCTV cameras to the existing 82 units in Kuala Lumpur by the year 2010. A total of 496 units will be installed by the Local Government Ministry (JKT) in all the states in Peninsular Malaysia," stated the Home Minister.
The police will also be given RM90 million to upgrade facilities and police stations throughout the country.
DAP secretary-general Lim Kit Siang lashed out at Hishammuddin for failing to provide a complete sense of security to the public.
"In the Home Ministry website there is an online poll which states 90 per cent of visitors to the site do not feel safe at all with regards to the crime rate in Malaysia.
"No one wants to politicise people's safety. We need to admit that this country's crime problem is serious," said Lim.
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