SHAH ALAM, August 3: The police management system should be changed and improved so that resources, energy and responsibility of security personnel can focus on crime prevention efforts.
According to Subang Member of Parliament, R.Sivarasa, the crime problem which is growing at the moment is not caused by the lack or relevant laws; instead it is due to the distribution of duties and responsibilities which are seen as irrelevant.
“This matter has been raised long ago by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) where we urged for the police force to be increased to prevent crime because at the moment, there are too few members assigned to crime prevention.
“Instead, most of the (police) resources are placed in administration, logistics, general movement and other such units; especially focusing on Pakatan Rakyat’s political matters.
“This is what must be changed so that police management can be better and prioritise on more important matters for the welfare and safety of the people, not the political desires of certain parties,” he said when contacted by TVSelangor.
In this regard, he said that there was no basis to reinstate the Emergency Ordinance (EO) as advocated by some because the existing laws are able to control criminal activity.
“Even in the past when the EO still existed, it was not proven effective in preventing crime and we rejected it because of detention without crime and that it was vulnerable to abuse by the government.
“There is no need for the EO now because existing laws such as the Criminal Procedure Code which authorises detention for 15 days against any suspect is already seen as a lot compared to other countries that have a lesser detention period.
“If other countries can reduce crime rate with limited Acts, why can’t we in Malaysia; the question comes back to the management of the police division of duties,” added Sivarasa.
Commenting on the development of criminal incidents that are becoming more common, the PKR Central Leadership Committee Member said that PR is ready to cooperate with the Central Government to discuss steps which need to be taken.
“The government can set up a special committee on this issue if they are truly sincere and committed in the effort to prevent crime.
“This is not a political matter, this is for the sake of prosperity, safety and peach involving the people,” said Sivarasa.