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Gerakan agrees with Crime Prevention Department set-up idea

Cheah Soon Hai hopes priority will be given in restoring the credibility of police

 
 

Press statement by

Gerakan Central Bureau on Environment, Security and Quality of Life Chairman

Dr Cheah Soon Hai

 
 

28 May 2013

 
 

Gerakan Central Bureau on Environment, Security and Quality of Life Chairman, Dr Cheah Soon Hai welcomes the creation of a Crime Prevention Department as announced by Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

 
 

"I believe that prevention is better than cure, in this sense, we suggest that thorough studies should be conducted in criminology, behavioural sciences and sociology to identify the causes of crimes and make early necessary interventions to reduce crimes. We must be tough not only on crime but the causes of crime as well."

 
 

Dr. Cheah stressed that prestigious commissions and research bodies, such as the World Health Organization, United Nations and so on, have conducted many analyses on what lowers rates of interpersonal crime and they have generally agreed that governments must go beyond law enforcement and criminal justice to tackle the risk factors that cause crime because it is more cost effective and leads to greater social benefits than the standard ways of responding to crime.

 
 

Dr. Cheah also reiterated calls from Malaysian Bar earlier this year to set up a Sentencing Council in Malaysia. It aims to ensure a consistent approach to sentencing, demystify court processes and sentencing as well as to boost public confidence over the country's judiciary system. It is hopeful that the disparity of judgement for the same offence can be minimized under such earnest approach.

 
 

However, Dr. Cheah also noted that the police must first strive hard to restore its credibility. This is due to years of public distrust of the tarnished police image which was again marred by the recent death of N. Darmindran in police custody.

 
 

"In order for the Crime Prevention Department to be a success, we have to take heed of several countries which are successful in eradicating the tarnished image of their law enforcement departments."

 
 

He exampled Hong Kong where crime and corruption was the norm in the 60's and 70's but managed to take a huge step in overcoming these Achilles Heel.

 
 

"When the Hong Kong government realised that corruption was endemic, several steps such as a massive increase in salary for the police, while at the same time a massive anti-graft operation was launched. Young Non-Commissioned Officers were promoted as Station Sergeants to take over direct control of operations from the notoriously corrupt and influential Staff Sergeants."

 
 

Finally, Dr Cheah urged the authorities to take heed of the public's call for a clean, accountable and effective police force.