Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum’s unfounded and reckless comments on the issue of snatch theft in his reply in the Senate yesterday must not go unchallenged.
He was reported in The Star as saying that snatch thefts usually occurred when the victims were careless with their property.
“Such an attitude gives snatch thieves the opportunity the opportunity to strike.”
He also said women who carry expensive handbags and wore clothes ‘invite trouble’.
This is classic diversion from an important issue.
He should refrain from blaming the victims and look at the causes of crimes.
Income disparity breeds criminals and the sooner Johari understands it, the better hope there is for the community.
When that disparity widens, crime figures will go up. In most cases, snatch thieves come from disadvantaged backgrounds, although this can never be an excuse for commiting a crime.
The Government should look into ways of improving the lives of the disadvantaged rather than blaming the rakyat every time there is a problem and they don’t know how to tackle. The incidence of snatch theft has skyrocketed in the last few years but the Government does not seem to have any viable solutions despite promises to arrest the problem after some victims were killed a couple of years ago. Empty promises again as usual.
Snatch thieves are oppoutunistic criminals. In many areas, the streets are poorly lit and lamps are constantly out of order. Not only that, the low presence of police personnel on our streets encourages these criminals.
The issue of safety, especially in housing areas, is so threatening that many of them have their own private security services because the community cannot depend on the police to guarantee their safety.
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Further reference: It’s Our Fault Again!
Smart man our Johari is, making archaic and sexist statement, and to top it off, just after the string of incidents such as the recent racial slurs on non – bumis, religious incidents and now he is targeting women as well, just a little too smart perharps for normal people like us.
Mind you, I would like to see more of the like of him making smarter statements for the press, afterall, the press is there for them to blame.
Just make sure that they have enough big remarks, brain wave and they will be digging their own graves in the next GE.
Well Done Johari, good for you, good for BN
Nothing surprises me. Nothing new to us all. This is how the UMNO-led Government react to problems that they don’t have a solution – BLAME THE “VICTIM”! Give excuses and sweep them under the Carpet!
Well said Karmann_Ghia, the BN is definitely digging their own grave in the coming GE.