Aseanpol & better crime prevention system within Malaysia

DAP National Deputy Chairman an MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw feels that while it is a good thing to set up Aseanpol, Asean's police secretariat in Kuala Lumpur, it is very important to create an effective crime prevention and investigation system within Malaysia.

Dr Tan comments on Aseanpol in KL to improve cooperation in safety and security among the 10 member countries.

On 13.5.2009, the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein revealed that the Cabinet agreed to the setting up of Aseanpol Secretariat similar to Interpol, saying that it would serve like Interpol but would be more focused on the issues concerning Asean members.

We hope that Aseanpol will be run professionally. The recent capture of Mas Selamat Kastari, the Jemaah Islamiah leader who escaped from Singapore gaol, is a result of cooperation between Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Besides Aseanpol, we would like to see a better system of crime prevention and investigation, including better quality of police recruits to increase the force from over 90,000 to 150,000. Crimes such as snatch theft, robbery, murder, rape and the scurge of motorcycle gangs have incensed the public.

Today's news on the killing of five members of robbery gang in Scudai is encouraging; they robbed the house of Tan Sri Muhyiddin's political secretary Syahrin.

Occasional success in police action helps. But then, the people hope that the police have a more effective system to prevent and investigate crimes. Naturally, the public have to cooperate. We need more good recruits from all races. There should be better pay and better facilities for the police.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw