NEIGHBOURHOOD CRIME WATCH GROUPS A MUST

KUCHING: All councillors were urged to take the lead with local community leaders to encourage Neighbourhood Crime Watch groups to be formed as they are an effective way of fighting crimes that have been escalating.

The call was made by Batu Kitang State Assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang (pic) while debating on the  TYT’s  speech yesterday at the State Legislative Assembly.

Lo proposed that more funding be allocated through the present community development programmes allocated to all the councils in the state.

He said he was concerned about the spate of crimes in his Batu Kitang constituency.

“There are many house break-ins and thefts, including vehicle and motorcycle thefts. It is unfortunate too that there were noticeable cases of snatch thieves in which victims have been hurt.

“I understand that many victims have refused to lodge police reports claiming that it is a hassle to do so. I hope that these victims will take the trouble to lodge police reports as only then, will the police have the correct statistics of these crimes committed and these statistics will help to reflect the seriousness of the issue of crime and security in our state,” he said.

Asking the public not to solely blame foreigners for the crimes committed, Lo said they must look at the local bad heads that resorted to crime to support their drug habits or to pay off gambling debts from loan sharks.

Through the setting up of Neighbourhood Crime Watch groups, he believed that this group of diligent residents would monitor and put on their Whatsapp groups any crime they witnessed or if they come across any suspicious characters lurking in the neighbourhood.

“This builds community spirit and togetherness and it is all about good neighbours watching out for one another. This is our neighbourhood in the city of Kuching, in the state of Sarawak and in the spirit of Satu Malaysia where people of all races unite and work together as one people.

“I know many people who would like to be a part of their Neighbourhood Crime Watch group as they themselves have been victims before. I must say, however, that it is not for the ordinary citizen to tackle a criminal as the suspect could be armed,” he added.

He urged OCPD of Padawan to allocate an officer for every crime watch group and for this officer to be included in their whatsapps group to effectively fight crimes.

On another issue, Lo called to have emphasis in English language to put Sarawak on par with the world.

The Chief Minister wants Sarawak to have some say in the country’s education policy and he is absolutely right. Sarawak must get back her education autonomy and be able to determine her own education policies. English is a universal language of science and technology and an important tool for the state of Sarawak to excel and be competitive globally.

“It is therefore important that we maintain English in the teaching of Science and Mathematics in our schools. A lot of graduates today fail to get decent jobs due to their lack of proficiency in the English language. Bahasa Malaysia is important as it is our national language and a language to integrate our different communities together. But English as our language of instruction will certainly position Sarawak to tap our rich human resources, an invaluable ingredient to ensure the success of our economy and development of our state and country, otherwise Sarawak will continue to suffer from brain-drain,” he emphasised.

On the issue of tourism, Lo said it is the second largest income earner for our country and Padawan is blessed with lots of natural beauty which has a huge potential in attracting tourists if it is marketed efficiently.

He hoped that the village folks to be interested in making money, to engage in the tourism business and earn a profitable living out of it to narrow the current gap in the living standard between that of the villagers and that of people living in the city .

There are several ways to entice tourism from our rich native culture, way of life and local food are in itself economically viable tourism products. Sarawakians, especially those who have left the shores of our country,  have missed the fresh air, the laksa and the folksy camaraderie we enjoy among our own people, regardless of race, religion and tradition, Lo said.

He appealed to the state government to allocate funds to the Padawan Municipal Council to upgrade basic infrastructures in these tourism areas. The council will encourage the locals via their village development and security committees (JKKKs) to be passionate about maintaining these facilities built for them through part of the profits derived from their businesses.

By : CONNIE CHIENG
Sarawak Tribune

Date Posted : Saturday 11-Jun-2016