PRESS STATEMENT IN MIRI - Anti Crime Culture

The Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation calls on all Malaysians to work towards zero tolerance for crime by developing an anti-crime culture and making safety a way of life.

In view of the rising crime rate, more sustained efforts must be made to combat crime through more effective law enforcement and greater public participation in crime prevention.

One of the major issues we have to grapple with is the culture of violence, which is gaining a foothold in our society. The recent spate of violent crime is certainly not characteristic of our society and we have to identify the causes and find ways to deal with them.

It should be the resolve of the Government and the community to work hand in hand to tackle the culture of violence in all its forms.

In the wake of frequent press reports about crime occurrences, it is time not only for the relevant authorities but also the entire community to be fully sensitized about the need for quick and effective action to deal not only with the criminals but also the issues and causes that can lead to crime.

For example, complaints that are brought to the attention of the relevant authorities about what can be done to remove the causes for crime occurrence should be attended to speedily. Every complaint that is related to crime prevention must be acted upon.

As crimes continue to occur and given the fact that law enforcement alone is inadequate to tackle crime, the government is required to promulgate effective social policies and programmes to prevent and control criminal activities.

Policy makers, academicians, non-government organisations and the various strata of society need to stand up to the challenge of making their cities, towns and villages safe from crime and liveable for everyone.

In this connection, continuous efforts must be made to reduce crime, lessen the fear of crime and create safer cities and towns where economic enterprises and community can flourish and free from crime.

This agenda to control and prevent crime demands a synergistic, concerted and tireless endeavour from everyone. Everyone has a role to play and a function to perform in the fight against crime.

The public must be made aware of the fact that crime prevention is a collective responsibility. Since its inception, MCPF is actively involved in awareness campaigns with various community-based organizations to help create greater awareness about the need not to take their safety for granted but on the contrary to participate actively in crime prevention.

Through our safe city and safe neighbourhood initiative projects, MCPF hopes to enlist the participation of all levels of our community in educating the public about what they should do in crime prevention.