Johor Bahru's Escalating Crimes (24/8/2006)

Years ago, the whole nation protested furiously over the infamous labelling of Johor Bahru as a 'Cowboy Town' by the then Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew. Over the years, the state of security in this city has not improved but in fact has deteriorated to a stage so alarming that the authorities are already at their wits-end in handling this ever-escalating problems. While the well-to-do could move their residences across the straits, we the ordinary folks are left to fend for ourselves. The reports below are compiled from the local dailies highlighting the plights currently encountered by the residents here.

1. Burglars Trapped In House By Neighbours - NST @ 24/8/2006

2 burglars were apparently trapped for 5 hours in a house somewhere in Taman Mutiara Rini, Skudai. Their attempt to burglar a house was somehow foiled by an alert neighbour, Masom Marji who heard noises from this house whom he knew the owner was not at home. He activated the alarm of his own house which attracted the attention of the residents in the neighbourhood. The residents surrounded the house to prevent the burglars from making an escape while waiting for the police and the house's owner to arrive. The apprehended burglars were in fact a 17-years old college student while the other, aged 23 is working in Singapore.

# How I wish I could publish the picture of this Masom Marji who should be congratulated for his heroic action. And of course, kudos to the local residents too for setting a very good example for the rest of us in ensuring a better living environment. These burglars, I'm sure had their prayers answered for leaving the place in one piece. They are unfortunately fortunate enough to be spared the beatings by the angry residents who at least exercise their restraints in dealing with the menacing burglaries that have been so common lately. This was not the case several months ago which I personally witnessed in a nearby Taman Pulai Utama where the burglars were 'wacked' by the mobbing residents in a similar foiled attempt. #

2. Pelajar Trauma - Metro Harian @ 24/8/2006

A 16-years old female student of a secondary school in Pasir Gudang was so badly slapped, punched in the face and knocked on the chest by her fellow schoolmate (also a female) that she was unable to walk or sit. Relating the incident that happened on 14/8/2006 at about 11.10 am, she was knocked unconscious as soon as she returned to her classroom from recess.

# A replication of school violence as reported in the Miri-based school not too long ago? Too bad, there wasn't any video footage of the assault #

3. Rela To Fight Snatch Thieves - The Star @ 24/8/2006

Homes Affairs Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said "the Government was considering training People's Volunteer Corps members to help police tackle the escalating number of snatch thefts, which have led to the loss of lives and serious injuries. We will be trying it out first in a few places deemed as hotspots. Later, we will come up with a training module suitable with the function of Rela". He further mentioned that this has been in practice for areas such as Cheras, Bandar Tun Razak, Taman Bunga Raya (Setapak) and Setiawangsa which had recorded the highest number of snatch thefts in the Klang Valley.

# If this measure really work in those areas mentioned, please by all means extend to Johor Bahru quickly. I'm sure the problem here is one of the top hotspots in the whole of Malaysia #