Wipe out JB’s notoriety as capital of crime of Malaysia – 1st step to ensure success of IDR


Image Hosted by ImageShack.usI will seek an urgent meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance when Parliament reconvenes tomorrow over the worsening crime, particularly with Johor Baru gaining further notoriety as the capital of crime, depriving Malaysians of their most fundamental liberty of being free from crime and the fear of crime to be assured of personal safety and security, whether in the streets, public places or the privacy of their homes.

I will propose that the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance ask for a meeting with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan for a special action plan to wipe out Johor Baru’s notoriety as the nation’s capital of crime

It is most regrettable that the Johore Police have blamed the Chinese media for the public outrage over the horrendous crimes in Johor Baru, following three shocking gang rape-cum-abduction/robbery in the last month, viz:

  • Early May – 28 year old pregnant woman robbed and gang-raped in Plentong in the presence of three-year-old son, after robbers had forced their way and drove off the car at a petrol station near Tampoi where the husband had stopped to answer nature’s call.
  • 5th June around 10 pm – A construction contractor and female companion at a petrol station at Pasir Gudang highway overpowered by three armed robbers who drove off with them as hostages. Both robbed and female victim gang-raped at Kempas area.
  • 11th June, around 10 pm. — Armed robbery by three men who ganged-raped 19-year-old girl and her 22-year-old boyfriend could only watch helplessly because he had been slashed twice.

The police representative who turned up late for the Johore Baru dialogue yesterday held in conjunction with the 100,000-signature campaign to reduce crime and restore personal safety and property security to Johore Baru blamed the Chinese media for blowing up the crime issue, claiming that there had been a 7.9 per cent decline in incidence of crime in Johor Baru.

The Johore Police would lose all respect, credibility and confidence of the people of Johor Baru if the police authorities maintain the denial syndrome or try to dismiss and trivialize widespread public concerns and outrage over the crime situation in the Johore capital, either blaming the Chinese media or looking for other scapegoats.

In Parliament last year, I had specifically spoken about the rampant crime and lawlessness in Johor Bahru.

This is what I said during the parliamentary debate on the 2006 Supplementary estimates in August last year:

“Immediate action and the topmost priority must be taken to multiply the police personnel for Johore Baru to wipe out its notoriety as the capital of crime for the country.

“The police and even Deputy Internal Security Ministers tend to come down hard on the media for their reporting on crime, instead of curbing down on crime, as if the government can ignore rampant unchecked crime so long as it is not reported in the media.

“Such irresponsible mentality must be condemned. True, a situation where crime is rife and rampant is not only threat to the safety and security of Malaysian citizens, it would drive away investors, tourists and foreign students. But it is naive to address the problem by curbing media reports on crime, for in the era of information communications technology of instant news, there is no way to hide such a breakdown of law and order particularly in the “black areas” in the country.

“What is the use of talking about Vision 2020 becoming a fully developed nation when life has become very cheap in Malaysia, with traumatic crimes a common occurrence and the fear of crime and their personal safety and their love ones, whether in the streets, public places or their homes, a haunting and abiding nightmare?

“How can the government expect to succeed in making Malaysia an investment centre, a tourist haven or an international hub of academic excellence to attract foreign students when the government is incapable performing its most fundamental duty — to ensure the personal safety and security of its citizens and visitors?”

Here, we must ask how the multi-billion-ringgit Iskandar Development Region project can even take off so long as Johor Baru remains the capital of crime of Malaysia?

The Johore Police are not demonstrating their understanding of the public outrage and concern about the rampant crime and lawlessness in Johor Bahru by talking about a 7.9% decline in crime index, as such improvement is meaningless to the people in the streets and on the ground.

I am reminded of a quick poll which I conducted among the over 200 people who attended a public forum to fight crime in Ipoh last year, where over 70 per cent had been a victim of crime or had a member of the family who had been a victim of crime, more than 50 per cent did not lodge police report regarding as waste of time while almost 100% of the people are worried about crime in their neighbourhood.

I am sure if such a poll is conducted in Johor Baru, the results will be even more alarming and definitely more revealing and accurate than the claim that there is a 7.9% decline of crime index in Johor Baru.

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is the joint chairman of the Iskandar Development Region Authority (IDRA). What is he going to do to wipe out Johor Baru’s notoriety as capital of crime of the nation as the first step to ensure the success of IDR?

  1. #1 by justiciary on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 12:52 pm

    We should thank the Chinese media for their detailed reporting on all events including serious crimes such as robbery,snatch theft,sexual crimes etc so that we can become more cautious and self protective.The police should be condemned for putting the blame on the Chinese media for the public outrage on crimes.Don’t tell me they still want to bury their head in the sand like an ostrich.Please wake up and fight crimes.Be fast to act upon any report.Stop turning people around from one police station to another.It is high time you try to get rid of the most infamous government department because of corruption.

  2. #2 by Libra2 on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 12:59 pm

    When did any government institution or its leaders ever admit to any negative reports in a matured and responsible manner?
    They first reaction is always to deny the reports, shift blame to other parties or the media.
    When will PDRM understand that we don’t care about statistics or their ability to lower crime rates? What matters is public perception on police efficiency. Perception is reality.
    The fact that a senior officer could not attend the gathering is actually snubbing the chinese community’s concern.
    PDRM is never a respecter of public opinion. It is a law unto itself.

  3. #3 by bhuvan.govindasamy on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 1:37 pm

    [deleted]

    I applaud the Chinese media for having the courage and gumption to print the truth, so the people may become more vigilant. The police department, and, especially it’s head must be replaced. [deleted].

  4. #4 by kurangajah on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 2:25 pm

    Within one week, two of my friends at Johor Jaya, JB, were threatened with parang unless they surrenderred their hand bags, and a friend at Taman Sri Tebrau, JB, was slashed on the head and arm before being robbed, and at Melodies Garden, JB, an Indian lady doctor was flung (head first) to the tarmac right outside my friend’s shop when she resisted the two men on a motor bike. These were just some of the recent cases. Many of my friends and my wife have been robbed over the past three years. We all live in fear. My mother-in-law dared not go out of the house to change a water filter. She used to have a nice flower bed outside the house – it is all neglected due to her self-imposed curfew. Whenever I go out of the house, I carry a golf club (#3-irons) with me. My friend carries a hockey stick. We tremble at the sound of any passing motor cycle. Are we being paranoid? Is our fear real or just a fiction of imagination from some crime movie? The Police says the Chinese Press unnecessarily blew up the stories. But my fears did not emanate from the Press. These are REAL experiences of all the people we know. So maybe I am just being too “Kiasi”. Would Jeane like to carry her hand bag and jalan jalan along any street in JB? My wish is to own a gun and no prize for guessing what I would do with it. And Singaporeans thinking of investing in Johor, you are most welcome.

  5. #5 by oedipus on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 3:04 pm

    its probably that the election is near, and government linked papers are not allowed negative news to be on the front page til the election is over. (lets see if my hypothesis is correct).

    nevertheless, as a normal citizen of jb, crime rate here is still sky high esp those of the heinous and violent ones. almost 80% of my family and friends have been a victim or have their family members a victim of unabated crime in this city.

    while we have noticed increased police patrol in the city, we have also heard of the police taking more chance of asking for duit kopi (esp if you are riding without helmet, or using xenon light)whenever they patrol the streets. i do believe the government and police wants to better the situation here in jb, but i do not know where they fell short.

    thus the citizen have taken the initiative to fence up our communities and the effect was tremendious. we finally saw children playing on the streets, ppl taking an evening walk, and young parents taking their toddlers for a stroll in the park. (its funny how we have taken such simple things for granted). but alas, the authorities began tearing down the gates as they deemed it illegal and the children stopped playing and the ppl stopped walking…. and the crime returned. thank goodness, rationality prevailed and the local council allowed our fences up again after much pleading (from us).

    i believe, jb has changed and deteriorated beyond recognition (i have grown, lived and now serve in this city) compared how it was 20 years ago. if i am a foreign investor looking at the condition of jb, i would rather invest across the straits than to invest in a crime infested city. the police wants us to believe that the crime rate has gone down with just a simple figure on a piece of paper? they should just claim that jb is rat free as well.

    i really hope the police force get their act together soon!

  6. #6 by goldenhub on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 3:35 pm

    What is the joint-chairman of Iskandar and esteemed Prime Minister going to do? Honeymoon 9 days, 8 nights, tax payer expense holiday tour of Bosnia, Russia and Italy with his wife the new UMNO member and instant Malay Jeanne Abdullah. Not to mention wet dreams of Vision 2057, what more Vision 2020.

    JB is really getting worse and worse. My friends from Sarawak who went to Singapore then crossed to Johor Bahru were shocked at the huge difference that greeted them. But crime is not only escalating in Johor but throughout the whole country. Just last week a group of Mat Rempit tried to steal my car but was discovered by neighbors. My friend staying in SS2 has witnessed 3 snatch thefts just outside his window in a year of staying there not to mention his housemate was robbed outside the house. Another girls only rented house has seen their underwear stolen many times and a naked man spying on the house!

    Just behind my road, my friend was robbed in her house and a year later her handbag was snatched. Even the daughter of a police officer living in my area had her laptop bag snatched. This is only the tip of the iceberg and I’m sure everyone has many such stories to tell.

    Last time I was assaulted by a group of Malay thugs, then when I went to make the police report, the inspector from Ampang told me it’s a small matter and asked me to drop the case. From that day on, I never trusted the police again. What more with the farcical kangaroo court that is the Altantuya murder trial, who can believe the law anymore? I certainly don’t. That is Vision 2007.

  7. #7 by MY VIEW on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 4:02 pm

    Not many years ago, former PM TDM also responded “where got?” when Singapore’s Mr Lee Kuan Yew alledged that the crime rate in Johore is high. In stead of admitting and taking improvement measures, he counter alledge that in Singapore, people piss in the elevators. His response then was irrelevant. It’s either he was too shy or proud to admit. As long as we do not acknowledge this fact, the situation in Johore will remain the same.

    When an American makes a mistake, he will say “excuse me “.
    When a British makes a mistake, he will say “pardon me”.
    When a Malaysian makes a mistake, he will say “not me, not me”.

  8. #8 by WFH on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 4:33 pm

    PDRM is a component party of Barisan?
    Sure looks like it – denial, attributing a racial slant to Chinese media playing things up, diversion of severity of crime in the streets by quoting a reduction of 7.9% in crime index.

    I think PDRM is at a loss about HOW to tackle. I do believe they WANT to, but they are clueless HOW. This is not helped by the accumulation of perhaps less than exemplary results in preventive and investigative capabilities. When the senior PDRM officers themselves either at state, district, even central command levels are ill-equipped or outdated in modern policing methods and at the same time ignoring the importance of harnessing cooperation and most crucially gaining the respect of the community they police, they will be totally ineffective as a law enforcement agency.

    It’s way past time the PDRM NOT consider the rakyat as irritations when the rakyats’ concerns are highlighted in the media, ANY media, not just the Chinese media. Crime victims of robbery, serious physical and sexual assault, organised illegal activities, all these transcend all community groups.

    A victim is a victim, irrespective of racial background. A perpetrator/perpetrators are criminals irrespective of racial origin.

    It IS NOT demanding of anybody to expect the police to do their job according to international standards of policing to ensure a safe environment, and civil society, to live free of FEAR of crime.

  9. #9 by yellowkingdom on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 4:38 pm

    Yes, I agree with many that it is the public’s perception of security that is paramount. Statistics are for administrative records and measuring KPIs. It does not account for much if it is you and your loved ones that are the victims. Since February 2007, my neighbourhood had put in place a residents’ committee and engaged a security firm’s services, at our expense for peace and security. Except, for an incident with the JB city council’s enforcement unit sometime end of March which was resolved amicably, we live with some semblance of peace within our neighbourhood but not outside in the open streets. Recently some friends, who live outside my neighbourhood has been making enquiries on how to setup a similar self-paid neighbourhood security in their areas. I am glad to see police car patrols stopping and checking its occupants presumably the suspicious ones. The police must work more closely with the public and be easily accessible. Dishing out hotline numbers is not enough if its officers are not responsive and pro-active in attending to the needs of the vicitms. With the recent increase in salary, we hope to see greater improvement in the police delivery of service. Let’s hope the Johor police will rise to the challenge and not deny its shortcomings.

  10. #10 by karlmarx8 on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 9:20 pm

    Unc Kit, You did very right as nobody knows now what’s happening especially the harm is done just to one race and that the crime is so similar in nature. Who can tell whether or not this could be something else? Everybody is guessing-probably on the same line of thought. Hanif also talked about it in his column…so we thought is going to be ok…nothing much but just a heinous crime per se.

    The media acts as watchdog, and you have done well in rocking the boat. I don’t see any authority has to be so up set about the reporting unless otherwise they have something that cannot be mentioned. The fact that the authority should thanks the media for being a responsible enterprise.

    Accordingly, the authority did not recognise the social-psyche that the more they hide the more the public will dig it out! Due to the pressure on GE, they had quickly done the job to nap some suspects (only addicts :(-?)

    By the way, just 2 days ago somebody walked right into my garden and discovered that the covered shed had nothing except pieces of wood! They can walk just right in ! Can you believe it. My car was broken in twice 2 years ago and lost one laptop and sport shoes. When I talked about my experiences (I have never got bugged before, mind you)they told me its a familiar story, don’t worry!!!!!!!!

    Unc Kit, keep rocking and keep us awake!

  11. #11 by moong cha cha II on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 9:28 pm

    but Singaporeans will always remember CLOB

    they also remember when Johor flood, Singapore will get the blame

    & the gantries are just ready there to collect money from them

    so how to invest in IDR ?

  12. #12 by Cinapek on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 10:36 pm

    Coincidentally I wrote to the media two weeks ago pointing out to them the rampant crime situation in JB and how the residents are prisoners in their own homes. My letter was not published. I suppose negative news in the IDR are to be suppressed.

    Th CPO Johor has been trumpeting about the additions of new patrol cars, new police stations and additional manpower. Well, certainly there is no evidence of them. In fact, reading the above blogs one can come to the conclusion the increasing brazen and arrogant criminal acts are clear evidence the criminals are aware that the police are not doing their job. Robbers broke into my neighbour’s house at the early hours of 8pm. That they are so daring as to commit the crime at such an early hour clearly shows they are confident they can get away easily.

    In August last year after the robbery and killing of the young salesgirl in Taman Perling, the ensuing hue and cry prompted the police to increase the police presence in Taman Perling. It lasted only for a short while. I have hardly seen any police or patrol car in Taman Perling for the last few months.

    The 3 brutally violent attacks in the last few weeks are more chilling in that they deliberately attacked the even though the women were accompanied by their menfolk. These criminals are now so daring that they are not in the least bothered even if their targets were accompanied by men. Slash the man, kidnap the woman and rape her. They are clearly sending a message to the public that we have an impotent police force and they(the criminals) can do as they like and they rule the streets.

    I take strong exception to the comment by MCA Vice President and Johor chief Chua Soi LeK urging the public to be calm. Unlike the Sibu MP who kicked up a fuss over the gangster problem in Parliament forcing the police to take action, what has Choi Soi Lek and MCA done in JB? Maybe it is because it is not their family members who are raped or murdered that the MCA MPs in Parliament are keeping quiet and currying favour with the police. And only when the people has had enough and organising protest that MCA are jumping on the bandwagon and try to score political points.

    From reliable sources, the victims are mainly Chinese. Maybe this explains why there are so many complaints of the police refusing to take reports or are slow to act. Singaporeans and foreigners will know soon enough who are the preferred victims as they also fall into this category.

    Last but not least, the statistics are released by the PDRM themselves. Remember the spat with their own boss the Deputy Internal Security Minister over the differences in the Sentul crime statistics? If their own boss can question the integrity of the stats, it will be naive of joe public to believe these numbers. Furthermore, each victim has a face, name, family and loved ones and not a statistic. Until and unless we rid the steets of these sick criminals, any one of us can become the next victim. I am going to drive around with a weapon in my car from now on because I have to protect my family and loved ones since the PDRM cannot.

  13. #13 by Cinapek on Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 10:41 pm

    “….Singaporeans and foreigners will know soon enough……” should read as “…..Singaporeans and foreigners interested to invest in IDR will know soon enough….”

  14. #14 by dawsheng on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 12:40 am

    This atrocious situation has been going on for quite sometime. I understood that the move to get 100,000 signature is not the first one where similiar event has been held before. Clearly it has not gotten any attention and proven to be non-effective, now the situation is worsening.

    It is also weird that some people are not willing to sign the petition out of certain fear, can you imagine? I guess that is why the call is only for 100,000 signatures out of population of over 500,000, judging from past experiences we all know it is totally unneccessary in the first place.

    So what we should do if the crime situation in JB did not improve? I guess the only question left in our mind now is can count on the police? Answer that question and the next move will be very clear.

    As for now, throw away the petition with names, IC nos and signatures on it as the only way we can protect ourselves is we stay united, work out a plan to protect our families and love ones. We should have a force of our own if the police force cannot do their job.

  15. #15 by livinginusa on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 12:42 am

    Crime in Johore for sure has worsen over the last 5 years. I visit Johore every other year and the stories and sentiment I heard from relatives and friends is saddening. How did we get to such a state? Crime, corruption and black-marketing of diesel and other goods are so rampant. I cannot imagined how law enforcement agencies and government can keep a one-eye-closed policy for such a long time. Despite all the economic growth we enjoyed, public security (a basis for a strong nation) is not keeping pace but going the downhill direction. End result, majority of population is suffering , and only few benefits economically and able to buy security.

  16. #16 by Godamn Singh on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 6:54 am

    “Another girls only rented house has seen their underwear stolen many times and a naked man spying on the house!”

    As an undergrad we used to raid the girls colleges for panties at night and hang them on trees. How come no policemen came???

  17. #17 by Irene on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 7:39 am

    Malaysian police are the most wonderful police force around the world. Their duty is not to prevent crime or pulblic safety in case of a crime BUT they will be the last to arrive to the scene as they do not want to have any confrontation with the thieves or robbers. WHY? They prefer to hide in a corner or under some bushes and track motorcyclist or other vehicle who might be talking on mobile or some other minor offence and just get KOPI MONEY from them.

    Has the PM wake up from his honeymoon bed and perform his duty OR otherwise. SHALL WE LOYAL MALAYSIANS KNOCK HIS DOOR AND WAKE HIM UP??????

    Will the Iskandar Project be a sucussfull one when security in JB is really in CHAOS and the police force are pointing fingers at the press for covering TRUE NEWS.

  18. #18 by Tai Lo Chin on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 7:44 am

    Crime not only bad in Johore but Kuala Lumpur. Press might or might not have been instructed to downplay the incident for the sake of Bursa Malaysia, confidence etc. It was reported a day late in an inconspicuous part of page 5 of TheSun June 18th that based on initial investigations, police believe a bomb blast which injured (burns on hands chest and face) an 11 year old girl (Aqilah Nadia Zamzar who was waiting for bus bound for Johore) at platform 7 of Puduraya bus terminal on Saturday 9 pm was the work of pranksters…..Homemade bomb was “crudely built”…assembled from firework explosives and other substances such as sulphur that can be bought from shops….powdered by a motor sycle battery, did not contain any restricted explosives. Culprits unknown at this moment though police seeking witnesses and looking CCTV for clues of their identities.

  19. #19 by sotong on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 9:21 am

    Rape, let alone gang rape, is a violent and hedious crime against women.

    This violent crime should be in the front page for a week and leaders expressing their strong outrage in public to send a strong message to the criminals and potential criminals.

    There is a violent gang rape and the police accused the media of blowing up the situation? No wonder the crime is on the increase.

  20. #20 by Taikor on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 11:03 am

    It is very heartening to learn that the DAP is doing something for the people of Johor. We look forward to DAP’s effort to help us improve public safety of the state.

  21. #21 by Winston on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 12:54 pm

    To all those who have visited Uncle Lim’s blog, I hope that all of you will go all out to garner votes for uncle!
    Also, spread the word to all and sundry, especially those in the rural or semi rural areas about the misdeeds of the BN government, as well as the indirect bribery of having actual or promised funding for public works projects during by-elections or General Elections.
    After all, such projects should have been carried out whether there are elections or otherwise. It is also worthwhile to note that the funds come from the public and not the pockets of the BN ministers.
    The electorate must be wise enough to note that to vote for the BN because of such apparent “largesse” will continue to draw this country and its people further and further into the abyss.
    After fifty years of misrule, except for those under the Tengku, we owe it to ourselves to be FREE!

  22. #22 by Ghost on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 1:14 pm

    Malaysian Jokes

    When an American makes a mistake, he will say “excuse me “.
    When a British makes a mistake, he will say “pardon me”.
    When a Malaysian makes a mistake, he will say “not me, not me”.

    Another girls only rented house has seen their underwear stolen many times and a naked man spying on the house!”
    As an undergrad we used to raid the girls colleges for panties at night and hang them on trees. How come no policemen came???

    Malaysian police are the most wonderful police force around the world. Their duty is not to prevent crime or pulblic safety in case of a crime BUT they will be the last to arrive to the scene as they do not want to have any confrontation with the thieves or robbers. WHY? They prefer to hide in a corner or under some bushes and track motorcyclist or other vehicle who might be talking on mobile or some other minor offence and just get KOPI MONEY from them

    It’s been like this for since the early human civilization. Agree we’re still primitive?

  23. #23 by proudmalaysianshamejohorian on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 1:49 pm

    Since when we start to think that Police force or Government can solve problems for us all. Didn’t we just do it ourselves all the time? Just get together and Do It Ourselves.

    If nobody want to protect us, we protect ourselves.
    If nobody cares about our life and security, we have to take care of ours ourselves.

    Let’s get together to build security ourselves. Don’t waste time talking to people that can’t help us much since all these problems do not affect them at all !!!

  24. #24 by kurakura on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 3:59 pm

    Solution:Outsource malaysia to singapore.

  25. #25 by ethnicmalaysian on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 4:15 pm

    The crime rate has declined by 7.9% in Johor. And why is that? Simply because the police refused to take reports. Now you know why – No report, no crime lah! Malaysia is a crime free and corruption free country, clearly.

  26. #26 by Utopia on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 4:24 pm

    Exactly like what ethnicmalaysian said!

    NO REPORT = DROP IN CRIME RATE!

    Hanya Malaysia Boleh! Like Khairy’s motto. Anything wrong, blame the Chinese! One day they might just organize a campaign called “Blame it on the Chinese Day!”

  27. #27 by Orangutan on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 4:46 pm

    Being a Malaysian who have settled in Singapore since 15 years ago, I have sadly witnessed, over the years, the deterioration and rot that earned JB the title of the crime and sin city of Malaysia.

    My family has already stopped coming over to JB for food and shopping years ago because of fear for our safety. During my annual trip back to my home town of Malacca, I always drive through JB as fast as I could without stopping. During the drive through, I can feel the fear and hear my heart pounding when I recall all these crime reporting in the newspapers.

    These are all the signs of the collapse of a public service delivery system, and in particular the effectiveness and competancy of the police. Even if the government were to double the Policemen’s pay, I do not think it would help at all. This is because :

    1. The pay is still too low compare to the cost of living in the city, to make them motivated in their job and enjoy a decent living. One’s well being must be taken care of before you can make him deliver his best and focus on his job.
    3. The low pay will never attract high calibre, dedicated and qualified professionals in large quantity which is what is needed to turn the whole force around.
    4. The recruitment emphasis has always been based on Quantity over Quality. As a result, performance and competancy suffers.
    5. The pay rise’s hidden agenda is the coming GE.
    6. The psychological objective of the pay rise is not achieved at all. A reward is only given to an employee after he/she has worked hard and achieved the KPI (or reduction in the crime rate for the police) and motivate him to work even harder. It does not work the other way round. The same way that you don’t buy a gift to a child before his school’s exam and achieving good results.

    Anyway, it will really be an uphill task for BN, being famous as a half-past-six government, to turn things around. The whole system will only implode one day so long as BN, in whose interest is to perpetuate this rotting system, because of the large electorial constituancy formed by the public servants. Lets hope that this is not the beginning of the end for JB.

  28. #28 by hkgan on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 4:57 pm

    The next election is coming and its time to get rid of incompetent and corrupt government. The “feel good” news on government newspaper is deceiving and actual situation on the ground is bad. Lets work together and make JB a better place to live.

  29. #29 by hkgan on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:06 pm

    What have the police done to ensure petrol stations are safe? Many of these crimes are commited at petrol stations. What measures are being undertaken by police to ensure public safety. What are the root causes of the violence crimes? Can the police regain confidence of the public?

  30. #30 by undergrad2 on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:20 pm

    Has anybody ever thought that if there is no crime there is no need for a police force? The converse is not necessarily true.

  31. #31 by Utopia on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:32 pm

    Quote:
    “Winston Says: To all those who have visited Uncle Lim’s blog, I hope that all of you will go all out to garner votes for uncle!
    Also, spread the word to all and sundry, especially those in the rural or semi rural areas about the misdeeds of the BN government, as well as the indirect bribery of having actual or promised funding for public works projects during by-elections or General Elections.
    After all, such projects should have been carried out whether there are elections or otherwise. It is also worthwhile to note that the funds come from the public and not the pockets of the BN ministers.
    The electorate must be wise enough to note that to vote for the BN because of such apparent “largesse” will continue to draw this country and its people further and further into the abyss.
    After fifty years of misrule, except for those under the Tengku, we owe it to ourselves to be FREE!”

    —————————————————————-
    This is very true! For you guys who visit here might be the enlightened ones. For those who doesn’t, they are all in the dark, thanks to BN’s media control. Start informing your friends, family, colleagues or even your secret lover about the truth! In democracy, you get what you vote for! BN is what it is today because people still vote for them no matter what they do!

    BN is a beast that’s created by us (at least for those who have ever voted for BN), and it is now eating all of us up. It is time to rectify it, and change the gloomy future of Malaysia into a better one for the next generation! I just turned 21 last year, and I’m definitely gonna vote in the coming election!

    Refraining yourself from voting or just running away to other countries (NOTE: Lots of parents nowadays encourage their children to try to migrate abroad to secure a better future, especially for the Chinese) are just acts of cowardness and also signs of weakness that BN capitalizes on the Malaysian people! Malaysia is a place for all those who are born here! Why run away? Why submit to the ridiculous rulers? Why submit to oppression and unjust? We could all change this, if not, at least try to. Don’t go down without a fight! Just like Uncle Lim that has never waivered in his fight for justice and truth!

    The loser: “It can be done, but it’s hard.”
    The successful: “It’s hard, but it can be done.”

    PS: I myself is currently studying in the UK, and can easily get a PR in the UK if I opt to. But I won’t despite how dire the situation in Malaysia is. I will choose to return to Malaysia no matter what happens and make my stand. Running away does not solve the problem, it’s just an act of selfishness while leaving the rest behind to suffer…
    —————————————————————-

  32. #32 by rm 0.02 on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:38 pm

    “The police representative who turned up late for the Johore Baru dialogue yesterday held in conjunction with the 100,000-signature campaign to reduce crime and restore personal safety and property security to Johore Baru blamed the Chinese media for blowing up the crime issue, claiming that there had been a 7.9 per cent decline in incidence of crime in Johor Baru.”

    He must have been dreaming alongside our PM…

  33. #33 by undergrad2 on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:40 pm

    Democracy is not about getting what we vote for. Democracy is about voting, thinking that our votes count. Well they don’t. They miscount all the time.

  34. #34 by democrate on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 6:19 pm

    Two members of my family are victims of the roberry and snatch thief that occured in the cowboy city i m living. One of them is my wife who has been badly hurt at the back after being pushed down and threaten by a knife while waiting for me to pick her up at a bus stop.
    Very unfortunate that as a Chinese Police Officer saying that the Chinese Press is exeggerating during a dialoque session on last Saturday. He was boo by the crowd and i saw a police car leaving the scene immediately .
    We were told not to politicise the situation.
    The stupid Chinese Police has never consider that the Police force consist almost 95% Malays and 98% of the victims are the Chinese.
    so, What wl be your immediate response when you read the newspaper ?
    TWO BIG QUESTIONS;
    Is it a sin for a Chinese to be better of than others?
    Is it a sin too to a Chinese girls who wear skirt?

  35. #35 by undergrad2 on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 9:06 pm

    In the old colonial days, today’s PDRM was then known as ‘mata-mata’. Why do you think they were known as ‘mata-mata’?

    They were the ‘eyes and ears’ of the colonial government deeply involved in the struggle to free the country of communist terrorists or CTs. It was not a coincidence that the police force was made up exclusively of Malays and the CTs were Chinese.

    [deleted]

  36. #36 by rosicky on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 9:52 pm

    On Aug 11 2006,

    My dear friend Su Qin passed away. She is the salesgirl and the snatch theft victim in Tmn Perling who was killed.Till today it is still very painful for us families and friends.

    I still remember my wife and I, always reminding her to not put her wallet and mobile phone in her handbag. But instead to keep both in her shirt or pants pocket. So that if anyone tries to rob her, she should just let her bag go and not struggle.

    She listened to us. When she was lying on the road, her wallet and mobile phone was still with in her pockets. However her bag containing an umbrella and a water bottle was snatch away.

    There was no reason for to struggle the assailants. She is a girl of a small frame. It was always easy to snatch a beg from her. We believed she was attacked first and foremost, the had her bag snatch away from her. It was similar to the case of TAR college student being slashed first then robbed. It was copycat crime.

    [deleted]

  37. #37 by rosicky on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 11:25 pm

    [deleted]

    Though I am not academically trained in socio-political area, I wish to go through some of the events that led JB to such a sad state today.

    Up till the mid-80s, JB was still a laid back and sparsely populated town. There weren’t many housing developments and factories. There were only a few Chinese New villages mainly at tampoi, kempas, plentong, masai and skudai. The Malays kampong mainly concentrated at Larkin-Majidee and tampoi. There were not many Malays then compared to today.

    The JB population boom started from the mid-80s when there were steady influx of chinese from other Malaysian states. Most of them seeking employment in singapore. Aunties and young girls as factory operators. While male normaly as construction or shipyard workers.

    During the early 90s, the population grew very fast. It coincided the with electronics manufacturing growing very fast at that time. The manufacturing sector in JB also began grew strongly. As a result of population and manufacturing growth- demands for services, trading, housing and retail sector follow suit. Although the Malays from other states were starting to migrate to JB. There were still relatively not many. Crime was not as bad as today.

    1995 onwards, there was a trend of Malays from other states and also Indonesian coming to JB. Most of them from rural and poor areas, started to built their kampung houses near their relatives at existing Malay kampungs. So these kampung nowadays are very dense. Soon things got out of hand. With the help of their saudara at local council they build on any empty plot of land they can find.

    An ex-colleague of mine who lives in Masai new village can testify. She said that 15 years ago the only a few chinese families living there. Now she says that they are surrounded at least by 50 Malay kampung houses. Masai and Pasir Gudang area are home to a large number of these new malay migrants. And no suprise that these two places are renown for hardcore Malay/Indonesian criminals.

    As mentioned earlier, many of these migrants are from poor backgrounds and not highly educated. They go for jobs which local chinese shunts. Meaning they work as factory worker, despatch rider, cleaners and other low paying jobs (Wages of RM20 to 35 for 11hours of work). For every Malay engineer/technician that comes to JB, many more Mat Rempit will come also.

    Post 1997, the cost of living in JB hits new high every year. So these Mat Rempit can barely survive on their meagre wages( I have seen factory workers spent their whole month wages on a pair of shoes. I have also seen widow with 4 kids and a salary of RM400 enjoying Astro everymonth).

    To make matters worse. Local employers now prefer vietnamese, burmese and nepalese because they feel the Malay lousy workers.

  38. #38 by rosicky on Monday, 18 June 2007 - 11:49 pm

    [deleted]

  39. #39 by goldenhub on Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 1:28 am

    Latest crime news from PJ SS2 – a student was robbed and nearly raped at SS2 beside the Island Cafe. She was driving home and was very tired so she stopped her car near her house and rest for a while. Then a girl came and knock on her window and ask for help.

    Suddenly a guy with parang came and snatch her car keys and they bundled her in the car. They drove to Island Cafe beside and while the girl went to withdraw ATM money, her accomplice tried to rape her.

    She persuaded the robber to let her ride him and so he syok sendiri let her get on top of him and then the gal quickly ran out of the car. Gutsy gal!

  40. #40 by goldenhub on Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 1:29 am

    And in other news:
    MCA Denies Involvement In Illegal Assembly

    JOHOR BAHARU, June 18 (Bernama) — The Johor MCA Liaison Committee today denied that it was involved in the illegal assembly comprising 70 people in front of Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman’s residence yesterday.

    Its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who is also Health Minister, said the assembly was organised by members of the opposition parties.

    “I refute that the MCA was involved (in the illegal assembly). It was organised and encouraged by irresponsible people, mostly from the Opposition,” he said today.

    Speaking to reporters after a ground-breaking ceremony for a new Hospital Permai project here which was also attended by Abdul Ghani, he advised those behind the illegal assembly “not to play with fire” because it could get out of control.

    He was asked to comment on the illegal assembly which was held from 10am for one hour yesterday.

    Police detained a man and a woman who refused to disperse after being told to do so.

    Dr Chua also asked police to investigate the source of messages sent through SMS aimed at instigating people in the state recently.

  41. #41 by kenobi on Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 1:43 am

    Oh yes i remember the Johor Bahru Dialogue where the cop arrived late. He was constantly booed and the audience hackled him with so many questions that he was at a loss for words. And the recent JB kidnapping case happened to my neighbour who lives down the street.

    I feel so safe when I go Singapore and it feels more like home (since i grew up there) than Johor Bahru. Before my housing area became a gated community, I didn’t even dare to walk around my front yard at night. There were so many cases of snatch thefts and my friends and relatives have gotten robbed at my doorstep. Now, with the gated community it feels so much safer. But then the town council says it’s illegal and blah blah blah. I swear these authorities are working with the thieves and robbers.

  42. #42 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 7:49 am

    “She persuaded the robber to let her ride him and so he syok sendiri let her get on top of him …”

    So where’s the rape or attempted rape?? This is more like consensual sex.

  43. #43 by chewraisins on Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 2:43 pm

    “So where’s the rape or attempted rape?? This is more like consensual sex.”

    Did you leave this comment as a joke? If you didn’t, clearly you did not understand the whole paragraph. It was her quick thinking that saved her from being raped.

    I’m praying that PDRM can think out of the box, just like this girl, and restore public confidence by tackling the problem at hand.

  44. #44 by goldenhub on Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 3:47 pm

    “So where’s the rape or attempted rape?? This is more like consensual sex.”

    My friend clearly didn’t understand what the girl was trying to do. She was using reverse psychology on the robber, if she had fought and struggled most likely she would have been brutally raped and maybe killed. So she used a different tactic and it worked i.e. she managed to escape.

    If you’ve read the Chinese papers, you can get the full details. This just goes to show you that even highly Western educated people are just plain stupid sometimes.

  45. #45 by somethingStirring on Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 4:42 pm

    Sometimes I wonder if ever certain politicians and government officials offer their hands to me for a handshake, will I be able to shake it? Because their words and deeds sicken me, I think their flesh will sicken me too.

  46. #46 by LuCiFeR on Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 5:11 pm

    It seems MCA is not doing their job to protect the Chinese community in Malaysia …… instead they accused the Chinese for having an illegal assembly …… what a disgrace to fellow Chinese.

    By the way, what has happened to once upon a time “Rakan Cop”? Another money / time wasted community project. Another “Panas-Panas Tahi Ayam” project.

    I have a friend from Singapore who planned to spend some relaxing time with her hubby in JB. But after she heard the gang rape news, she diverted her holiday to Batam where she claims is more safer compared to JB.

    JB is now famous for being a cowboy town. We earned this title. Aren’t we proud of it!

  47. #47 by Godamn Singh on Wednesday, 20 June 2007 - 10:31 am

    “,,they bundled her in the car. They drove to Island Cafe beside and while the girl went to withdraw ATM money, her accomplice tried to rape her.”

    Have you tried raping a girl in the back seat of a car?? It is impossible if she’s struggling. You guys must be naive and wet behind the ears to think that it is easy.

  48. #48 by [email protected] on Wednesday, 20 June 2007 - 2:26 pm

    There are some in this country who are prejudiced against the fairer sex. We know this through their actions and words… since the case of the woman being subjected to doing “up-downs” in a degrading manner in a lock-up. Now, it’s worse, they are daring enough to rape others.

You must be logged in to post a comment.