Unemployment rose from sudden retrenchments during the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing many to resort to crime to make ends meet.
A home is intended to be a secure sanctuary, a place of refuge and comfort. But how safe do you think your home is? And how would you feel when your sanctum of tranquillity is breached? Did you know that some crimes can be prevented with just a little consideration?
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sivakumar Thankaraja elucidated that the genesis of crime hinges on two pivotal factors: Opportunity and motivation. He stressed that crime prevention is a shared responsibility, wherein the assailant seizes an opening due to an unprepared victim.
However, the fault should never be on the victim but on the perpetrator. What Malaysia needs is to handle its economic and social issues better. Malaysia’s poverty rate in 2022 was 6.2%, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. The situation was worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic when unemployment rose from sudden retrenchments, forcing many to resort to crime to make ends meet.
Regarding the impulse to commit crimes, the prevailing incentive often centres around funding drug habits, reiterated Sivakumar. Drug abuse is a major factor in crime, perhaps even more so than others. Depending on the type of drug, abusers will go to far lengths to obtain more funding for their addictions.
Sivakumar outlined various strategies to curtail crime rates. "The public bears a significant responsibility in providing vital information to the police. Without such input, our progress is impeded. It is imperative to adopt extra precautions for safeguarding your possessions. The presence of witnesses is pivotal, as a higher number enhances the likelihood of resolution. Engage actively in your community, taking note of any peculiar activities. In the unfortunate event of a break-in, citizens have the right to apprehend the perpetrator and await law enforcement," Sivakumar asserted.
Prevention is better than cure
Home owners can take burglary prevention measures like locking their cars and gates, keeping doors locked even when they are at home, storing the spare key in a safe place as burglars know all the usual places, investing in better and more secure locks and installing burglar alarms, panic buttons and sensor lights. On the response time, Sivakumar quipped humorously: "In the past, we employed older vehicles. Now we drive Hondas. We'll be on the scene in eight minutes."
As for crime statistics, he disclosed that Petaling Jaya registered the highest crime rate in Malaysia. Car thefts proliferate in the vicinity, notably in the One Utama Shopping Centre old wing car park and around the Phileo Damansara areas. Incidents of residential break-ins are prevalent across several neighbourhoods in Taman Mayang and its environs. Citizens can reduce their vulnerability by choosing not to park or venture into isolated areas, dimly lit places and unguarded zones.
It was revealed that Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has initiated several initiatives to combat diverse challenges in Malaysia. These encompass coordinating volunteerism through community policing, the Amanita Special Unit staffed by female officers for engaging with women civilians and school liaison officer (PPS) aimed at fostering bonds and confidence among young children, with nationwide school visits to ensure safety and patrol the premises.
Concerning PPS, Sivakumar underscored that since 2020, a concerning total of 2,066 children have been involved. Predominantly aged between 13 and 15, comprising 1,119 cases, most are suspected runaways. PDRM urges parents to maintain close supervision once children reach this phase.
PDRM officers adhere to the One Good Deed A Day ethos, entailing performing community service for civilians in myriad forms. This encompasses aiding the elderly by educating them about online scams and easing school-related concerns through their presence during peak hours.
Other crimes
Subsequently, Inspector Ajas Mohamad Ibrahim, who oversees cybercrimes, expounded on the increasing prevalence of scamming. He noted that the proliferation of mule accounts is directly correlated with the rise in scammers. These scams encompass phone frauds, e-financial deceit, love scams, fictitious loans, syndicate investments, and part-time scams.
Ajas revealed that a substantial number of scam victims are senior citizens, recounting instances where scammers targeted retirees.
"These fraudsters impersonate banks, Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri, courts, courier firms, police and even TM. Platforms like Lazada, Carousel and Shopee are exploited for scams, and with Google's voice replication capabilities, they easily emulate our voices to gain access to our credentials and impersonate us," Ajas cautioned.
This new method of impersonation brings to light the potential dangers of Artificial Intelligence. It begs the question of whether utilising a feature that both helps and harms is worth the convenience, as the number of related cyber crimes continually increases in the country. The police must figure out a way to stay on top of these scams, be it through educating the public more or staying three steps ahead of the perpetrators. Ajas said that the police are still unsure of how certain scams are committed and that they are still working out how to nip the problem in the bud.
In addition, Datuk Lourdes Charles echoed Sivakumar's earlier point that crime prevention is not solely the domain of the police. He shared personal experiences of witnessing crimes and underscored the importance of keeping police hotlines accessible.
"Malaysia's population is nearly 33 million, while there are around 180,000 to 210,000 police officers. A significant portion, about 65%, are engaged in managerial duties. They're stretched thin, hence citizens must exercise vigilance to ensure their safety. A hundred people could be calling the same hotline simultaneously, so patience is advised. When receiving a scam call, the initial step is to request the report number. Contact MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) to verify the legitimacy of the number," he advised.
This article was first published on Starbiz7.
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