Dear ALL,
Received an email from a friend and this is really frightening....
Just to share that I myself have also encountered a group of Mat Rempit's
saga along the Seremban Highway recently after returning from a reunion
dinner.
I was driving in the night from KL through the Federal Highway. I
turn left towards the Seremban Highway just after Taman Seputeh corner.
There were more than 200 motorbikes parked on the left side of the road.
My focus was on the right as I was joining the Seremban Highway. To my
surprise, the motorbikes on the left quietly switch on their engine and
then their lights.
I was lucky as there was another car coming from the
Federal Highway and I press on the accelerator to join the on coming car
so that I have company in speeding away from these group of Mat Rempit.
They did not bother but continue to drive and speed along with us. There
was about 10 motorbikes in front of us to which there have cornered the
road in guiding us to go into the Taman Permaisuri where you would have
read in the papers how people get rope into the area and be targeted for
robbery,....etc.
It was a very frightening moment but the driver of the car in front sped
on and so did I following closely. After another 3 minutes of speeding, I
saw a patrol car behind us and we were so blessed. They drove by to ensure
that we pass the Connaught toll and the Mat Rempits were no where to be
seen......
After reaching home, I started calling my girlfriends who were also
driving back home after our dinner outing. Glad to know that all of them
were safe home.....
So girls or guys out there, you never know what will happen with road
bullies and Mat Rempits..... just be careful. It is good to keep the phone
number given below in your mobile.....
Subject: This happened to my FREN's immediate boss.
My boss almost got carjacked yesterday. She sent out an email to the
entire department telling her story - as a caution to all single women
drivers. It sounds damn scary. Can not imagine what I'll do if I was in
her position. Girls, please be careful and be wary of your surroundings -
bad things can happen DAY OR NIGHT - bad guys don't CARE anymore.
Here is her email:
Colleagues,
I was chased and attacked by a group of men in 2 cars trying to hijack my
car in the afternoon yesterday.
I was driving my husband's car alone on my
way back from mid valley at about 4.30pm and only noticed these 2 cars as
I was turning left into jalan beringin, damansara heights. They came
awfully close and fast which I thought strange as it was a residential
area and full of road humps. Then the first car (which was a E class
Mercedes) came to my side and the passenger (had a policeman's hat but not
in uniform) had a walkie talkie and was gesturing for me to stop. When I
didn't, he overtook and parked in front of me and the second car (which
was the new 3 series BMW) was parked right behind me. the guy came up to
my window and using his walkie talkie again, was frantically asking me to
wind down - it was that split second that I realized that they weren't
undercover cops (yes sounds silly now when one is rational!) and I just
reversed and drove off. Both cars were chasing me trying to swerve and
corner me.
I was stopped 3 times by them - the second time was the road downhill
between SC and the Science Centre and the same guy from the Merc came out
- this time with a parang. I reversed as far as I could - these people
were definitely professionals and didn't want their cars damaged cos
everytime I reversed, the bmw at the back also reversed. I thought I'd be
safe going onto a public road so I went on the sprint highway - they
continued to chase and managed to stop me again- and I was on the fast
lane of sprint highway (right between the SC and Bukit Kiara) and there
were plenty of traffic - and this time - they parked so close to me - one
in front and one at the back and the guy with the parang came out and this
time was smashing with full force at my driver's seat window. Another guy
came from the black bmw and started hitting on my passenger seat window -
there were plenty of cars but no one stopped or honked despite seeing
these 2 men smashing my car. I just reversed not caring if my car got
knocked and trying to get some space so that I can drive out and finally
managed to. I lost them when I turned onto jalan damansara highway.
It is absolutely traumatizing as I, like many, only read about this.. but
the audacity and desperation for them to be doing this in broad daylight
and at such a public place is unimaginable. I am so thankful that I am ok
but I have to write this because i know many of us take it for granted
that it would not happen to us.. but it has happened and it will happen
again. Please please be careful - one can never be vigilant enough.
you've read it all:
1. ladies - don't drive home alone at night - they will target
women driving alone - day or night.
2. don't stop when you're being chased
3. know that they're not the real cops when the proper police cars
are not being used
I was given this no. by the inspector - 2274 4465 - it's the Bilik
Gerakan in Brickfields and if you think you're being followed or chased -
call this no. and they will send a mobile team who's nearest to where you
are.
P/S: Victim's names have been witheld for security reasons
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
From a Medical Officer in Kuching
Hi all, it's been a busy week, with DG visiting and our Supreme Boss, Minister Chua Soi Lek visiting.
However, let's not forget why we are here, I mean why we became doctors in the first place and why we continue to become doctors, despite the public backlash against doctors recently and the rude patients.
Let me share with you a humbling experience I had today.
ABK was a fifteen year old boy who had been fighting T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since last year.
He managed to finish his chemotherapy in March this year and his marrow remained in remission post chemotherapy. Despite our hopes he relapsed in less than a month. After much conselling, ABK underwent a second round of chemotherapy.
This second round of chemo was really bad and he nearly died as a result of it. However, he managed to go into remission. All this while only his mother, Madam S and brother were there to support ABK throughout his ordeal. The father had abandoned them as soon as ABK was diagnosed with ALL.
Much to our dismay, ABK relapsed while on treatment. Madam S and ABK eventually decided that he had enough and decide to bring ABK home. He died at home peacefully a few days later.
All this happened about three months ago.
Today, I saw Madam S and ABK's younger brother. I was surprised to see them and asked what they were doing.
She told me they had come to return the hospital blanket that had been used to shelter ABK till his last days.
They had travelled all the way from Sebuyau, just to return the hopsital blanket. Those not from Kuching, Sebuyau is about 150km from Kuching. For us who have cars, this is no problem. Madam S came by mini bus and the ticket fare is RM50-60 one way for a person
This was a humble single mother who was abandoned by her husband and left alone to bring up her two young sons, had to witness ABK go through much suffering and had her hopes dashed cruelly twice, and finally lose her eldest son.
How often do we inconvenience ourselves, to return things to its rightful owner?
Words cannot describe how moved I was by this simple gesture. Even though, the hospital blanket isn't mine and I won't even miss it ( I doubt the hospital would).
I told them I had to hurry off to another appointment and wished them luck. Truth is I had to leave because if I stayed any longer in their presence, I'll start to cry.
Call me sentimental, call me emotional, I dare you.
But how often do you get such decent human beings?
I lost my faith in the human race after the brutal rape and murder of 8 year old Nurin.
But with this simple gesture, Madam S has restored my faith in the human race.
However, let's not forget why we are here, I mean why we became doctors in the first place and why we continue to become doctors, despite the public backlash against doctors recently and the rude patients.
Let me share with you a humbling experience I had today.
ABK was a fifteen year old boy who had been fighting T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since last year.
He managed to finish his chemotherapy in March this year and his marrow remained in remission post chemotherapy. Despite our hopes he relapsed in less than a month. After much conselling, ABK underwent a second round of chemotherapy.
This second round of chemo was really bad and he nearly died as a result of it. However, he managed to go into remission. All this while only his mother, Madam S and brother were there to support ABK throughout his ordeal. The father had abandoned them as soon as ABK was diagnosed with ALL.
Much to our dismay, ABK relapsed while on treatment. Madam S and ABK eventually decided that he had enough and decide to bring ABK home. He died at home peacefully a few days later.
All this happened about three months ago.
Today, I saw Madam S and ABK's younger brother. I was surprised to see them and asked what they were doing.
She told me they had come to return the hospital blanket that had been used to shelter ABK till his last days.
They had travelled all the way from Sebuyau, just to return the hopsital blanket. Those not from Kuching, Sebuyau is about 150km from Kuching. For us who have cars, this is no problem. Madam S came by mini bus and the ticket fare is RM50-60 one way for a person
This was a humble single mother who was abandoned by her husband and left alone to bring up her two young sons, had to witness ABK go through much suffering and had her hopes dashed cruelly twice, and finally lose her eldest son.
How often do we inconvenience ourselves, to return things to its rightful owner?
Words cannot describe how moved I was by this simple gesture. Even though, the hospital blanket isn't mine and I won't even miss it ( I doubt the hospital would).
I told them I had to hurry off to another appointment and wished them luck. Truth is I had to leave because if I stayed any longer in their presence, I'll start to cry.
Call me sentimental, call me emotional, I dare you.
But how often do you get such decent human beings?
I lost my faith in the human race after the brutal rape and murder of 8 year old Nurin.
But with this simple gesture, Madam S has restored my faith in the human race.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Reaction & escape
Reaction
If avoidance is impractical or impossible, we need to react quickly and efficiently.
Try to react in a way that allows you an opportunity to escape. For instance, if a perpetrator asks you for your wallet, take it out (preferably a dummy or “sacrifice” one), show it to him and then throw it away from your person. This will give you an opportunity to escape. Be creative.
You may also consider a first strike option if it is justified (must we wait for an attack we know is coming?). It must be understood that this is a last resort. A majority of robbery cases end without major harm if we give up our valuables.
To be able to physically overcome an attacker, you need to have good self-defence, or better yet, close-quarter combat, skills, including weapons training.
When learning tactical defensive skills, please remember some golden rules:
Starpic by AZLINA ABDULLAH
# Most women are physically weaker than men.
# The longer the fight, the higher the aggressor’s chances of defeating you, especially if it is a man.
# A perpetrator has no compassion for you, so do not have any for him.
# The longer and harder you train in self-defence, the better your chances of survival.
# If you carry a weapon or substitute weapon (keys, pepper spray etc), know how to use it.
# Try and anticipate the feeling of shock in an attack against you.
Again, please be aware of how effective and pertinent your self-defence training is:
# If your class focuses on martial sports, remember real-life is not like a sparring event.
# If your class focuses on kick/punch and fitness, you should run from confrontations because punching bags do not hit back, unlike an assailant.
Also, make sure that the techniques used are suitable for females against males. Do you only practise with other females, or do you practise against males too?
Again, a reverse punch and jump spinning kick to the upper section looks good when done by a very competent black belt holder, but can it work successfully for you against an aggressive male threat? The moral here is to know your limitations, and take steps to overcome them.
Other points:
# Are you using ordinary locks or high security bolts and locks at home?
# Do you keep your home address hanging with your keys?
# Do you keep your ATM pin number with your card?
# Do you keep a dummy wallet of expired cards and some cash to “throw away”?
# Have you checked the entry and exit points of your home? Maybe nobody can get in, but can you get out in an emergency?
# Do you hold fire escape drills for your family?
# Are there working fire extinguishers or smoke detectors in the critical areas of your home?
# If you have lost your keys, do you change the locks?
Escape
If the threat has been neutralised, evacuate the area quickly. It’s OK to leave stuff behind because your life is more important.
There is absolutely NO need to stick around if you have already taken him down. Even if you are a man, you should get out of the crime scene immediately.
If avoidance is impractical or impossible, we need to react quickly and efficiently.
Try to react in a way that allows you an opportunity to escape. For instance, if a perpetrator asks you for your wallet, take it out (preferably a dummy or “sacrifice” one), show it to him and then throw it away from your person. This will give you an opportunity to escape. Be creative.
You may also consider a first strike option if it is justified (must we wait for an attack we know is coming?). It must be understood that this is a last resort. A majority of robbery cases end without major harm if we give up our valuables.
To be able to physically overcome an attacker, you need to have good self-defence, or better yet, close-quarter combat, skills, including weapons training.
When learning tactical defensive skills, please remember some golden rules:
Starpic by AZLINA ABDULLAH
# Most women are physically weaker than men.
# The longer the fight, the higher the aggressor’s chances of defeating you, especially if it is a man.
# A perpetrator has no compassion for you, so do not have any for him.
# The longer and harder you train in self-defence, the better your chances of survival.
# If you carry a weapon or substitute weapon (keys, pepper spray etc), know how to use it.
# Try and anticipate the feeling of shock in an attack against you.
Again, please be aware of how effective and pertinent your self-defence training is:
# If your class focuses on martial sports, remember real-life is not like a sparring event.
# If your class focuses on kick/punch and fitness, you should run from confrontations because punching bags do not hit back, unlike an assailant.
Also, make sure that the techniques used are suitable for females against males. Do you only practise with other females, or do you practise against males too?
Again, a reverse punch and jump spinning kick to the upper section looks good when done by a very competent black belt holder, but can it work successfully for you against an aggressive male threat? The moral here is to know your limitations, and take steps to overcome them.
Other points:
# Are you using ordinary locks or high security bolts and locks at home?
# Do you keep your home address hanging with your keys?
# Do you keep your ATM pin number with your card?
# Do you keep a dummy wallet of expired cards and some cash to “throw away”?
# Have you checked the entry and exit points of your home? Maybe nobody can get in, but can you get out in an emergency?
# Do you hold fire escape drills for your family?
# Are there working fire extinguishers or smoke detectors in the critical areas of your home?
# If you have lost your keys, do you change the locks?
Escape
If the threat has been neutralised, evacuate the area quickly. It’s OK to leave stuff behind because your life is more important.
There is absolutely NO need to stick around if you have already taken him down. Even if you are a man, you should get out of the crime scene immediately.
Surveillance & evasion
WITH the continuing wave of violent crimes against women in mind, I would like to share some thoughts on combating these despicable acts. The focus is on getting women to avoid violence.
Survival depends on two basic ideals: minimising the threat and maximising your options.
For a crime to be committed 1) the perpetrator must have intent, 2) he must have the capability and 3) there must be opportunity.
Effective surveillance means not doing this: looking for your car keys or using the phone while in the car park. You would be too distracted to notice any threat. — Starpic by AZLINA ABDULLAH
We have no control over the first two; we can only strive to minimise the chances of being attacked. Crime prevention begins before and not during the attack. Basically, you should avoid putting yourself in a compromising situation.
Here are some examples:
# Before driving off on an errand, or returning home late, do you already have the route mapped out in your head? This is important because if you’re lost, you’re vulnerable.
# Do you regularly check that your transport is in good order? Being stuck on a deserted road at night because you’ve run out of petrol or your battery has gone dead is not forward thinking.
# Before leaving on a long trip, do you charge your mobile phone, inform friends of your route and your ETA (estimated time of arrival), etc? Are you registered with a reputable automobile association like AAM?
# Do you scan your immediate vicinity before pulling out?
# Do you routinely check your mirrors to see if you are being followed, especially late at night?
Always think ahead and be prepared.
The strategic phases of defensive preparation can be summarised as SERE or Survival, Evasion, Rescue and Escape. We’ll talk about the first two this week.
Surveillance
Always be aware of your environment — who or what may constitute a threat, if there are potential weapons you can use, their proximity, escape routes, etc. For many of us, this is the most crucial phase. A danger avoided is a danger overcome.
Here are questions you need to constantly ask yourself:
Is your car parked in a dark spot?
# Is there a suspicious person nearby, loitering around or sitting in a car, or worse, van?
# Are you being followed?
# Is the area deserted?
# Are you walking directly to your car, thus potentially revealing your intended destination to all?
# Are there surveillance cameras around, and are you in plain view of them?
# Has your car alarm been triggered?
# Is your car alarm working? Does it have a panic or alert button close at hand?
# Do you have mace or a pepper spray? Is it in your hand? Do you know how to unlock, aim and operate it within two seconds?
# Have you asked any of your friends to follow you to the car?
# If no friends or family are present, do you ask for a security officer to escort you?
# Are you fumbling with or searching your handbag at the car park, or chatting away or messaging on your mobile, oblivious to your surroundings?
# Where are the exit points of the car park? Which do you use? Which is the best exit if you need to escape on foot?
Always be on your toes. For example, if at a party alone, do you leave your drink unattended, allowing someone to tamper with it?
If you’re going jogging, do you ascertain that it is in a safe area? Do you carry a short stick, handphone and mace with you?
In short, always consider likely threats and your options.
# Walking away from your car if there is a suspicious character loitering nearby, or in another car.
# Apologising to an offended party due to a spilt drink or clumsy elbow at a party so as not to cause a fight.
# Requesting for assistance from a security or law enforcement officer if you feel threatened.
# Driving off to a police station after being nudged or hit by another vehicle instead of getting down to view the damage. This is very important. If you need to talk, wind down your window a little, but be ready to drive off at anytime.
It must be stressed that in most situations, it’s better to break contact than to stay.
Don’t be a hero and don’t be casual. If you feel that you might “freeze” and panic, try to 1) visualise various situations and how to react effectively, 2) attend related workshops and practise evasion scenarios either alone or with friends and 3) take self-defence classes.
A few other examples of threat evasion:
# Keep your car doors locked while driving.
# Don’t get into a car and fumble around; immediately lock the doors, scan the area and drive off.
# Avoid high-risk areas at night.
# Alter your travel routes whenever possible.
# After withdrawing money from the bank, proceed immediately to a safe location. Don’t go off for a cup of tea and leave the cash in the car.
# Change your locks if your keys are stolen.
# Clutch your bag tightly; don’t let it swing loosely.
# Walk against traffic (so you can see approaching vehicles) and hold your bag on the inside.
# Steer away from suspicious vehicles.
# Though it might seem rude, do not assist with directions or enquiries from a vehicle that has suddenly pulled up beside you. Let the driver ask a man or group of people.
The moral here is: better to run away and live another day.
Survival depends on two basic ideals: minimising the threat and maximising your options.
For a crime to be committed 1) the perpetrator must have intent, 2) he must have the capability and 3) there must be opportunity.
Effective surveillance means not doing this: looking for your car keys or using the phone while in the car park. You would be too distracted to notice any threat. — Starpic by AZLINA ABDULLAH
We have no control over the first two; we can only strive to minimise the chances of being attacked. Crime prevention begins before and not during the attack. Basically, you should avoid putting yourself in a compromising situation.
Here are some examples:
# Before driving off on an errand, or returning home late, do you already have the route mapped out in your head? This is important because if you’re lost, you’re vulnerable.
# Do you regularly check that your transport is in good order? Being stuck on a deserted road at night because you’ve run out of petrol or your battery has gone dead is not forward thinking.
# Before leaving on a long trip, do you charge your mobile phone, inform friends of your route and your ETA (estimated time of arrival), etc? Are you registered with a reputable automobile association like AAM?
# Do you scan your immediate vicinity before pulling out?
# Do you routinely check your mirrors to see if you are being followed, especially late at night?
Always think ahead and be prepared.
The strategic phases of defensive preparation can be summarised as SERE or Survival, Evasion, Rescue and Escape. We’ll talk about the first two this week.
Surveillance
Always be aware of your environment — who or what may constitute a threat, if there are potential weapons you can use, their proximity, escape routes, etc. For many of us, this is the most crucial phase. A danger avoided is a danger overcome.
Here are questions you need to constantly ask yourself:
Is your car parked in a dark spot?
# Is there a suspicious person nearby, loitering around or sitting in a car, or worse, van?
# Are you being followed?
# Is the area deserted?
# Are you walking directly to your car, thus potentially revealing your intended destination to all?
# Are there surveillance cameras around, and are you in plain view of them?
# Has your car alarm been triggered?
# Is your car alarm working? Does it have a panic or alert button close at hand?
# Do you have mace or a pepper spray? Is it in your hand? Do you know how to unlock, aim and operate it within two seconds?
# Have you asked any of your friends to follow you to the car?
# If no friends or family are present, do you ask for a security officer to escort you?
# Are you fumbling with or searching your handbag at the car park, or chatting away or messaging on your mobile, oblivious to your surroundings?
# Where are the exit points of the car park? Which do you use? Which is the best exit if you need to escape on foot?
Always be on your toes. For example, if at a party alone, do you leave your drink unattended, allowing someone to tamper with it?
If you’re going jogging, do you ascertain that it is in a safe area? Do you carry a short stick, handphone and mace with you?
In short, always consider likely threats and your options.
# Walking away from your car if there is a suspicious character loitering nearby, or in another car.
# Apologising to an offended party due to a spilt drink or clumsy elbow at a party so as not to cause a fight.
# Requesting for assistance from a security or law enforcement officer if you feel threatened.
# Driving off to a police station after being nudged or hit by another vehicle instead of getting down to view the damage. This is very important. If you need to talk, wind down your window a little, but be ready to drive off at anytime.
It must be stressed that in most situations, it’s better to break contact than to stay.
Don’t be a hero and don’t be casual. If you feel that you might “freeze” and panic, try to 1) visualise various situations and how to react effectively, 2) attend related workshops and practise evasion scenarios either alone or with friends and 3) take self-defence classes.
A few other examples of threat evasion:
# Keep your car doors locked while driving.
# Don’t get into a car and fumble around; immediately lock the doors, scan the area and drive off.
# Avoid high-risk areas at night.
# Alter your travel routes whenever possible.
# After withdrawing money from the bank, proceed immediately to a safe location. Don’t go off for a cup of tea and leave the cash in the car.
# Change your locks if your keys are stolen.
# Clutch your bag tightly; don’t let it swing loosely.
# Walk against traffic (so you can see approaching vehicles) and hold your bag on the inside.
# Steer away from suspicious vehicles.
# Though it might seem rude, do not assist with directions or enquiries from a vehicle that has suddenly pulled up beside you. Let the driver ask a man or group of people.
The moral here is: better to run away and live another day.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Fantastic Personal Security Idea
A Simple and Easy Task for our Safety. (tips from Bukit Aman)
Next time you come home for the night and before you put your keys
away,
think of this :
It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and
requires
no installation.
Start keeping your car keys next to your bed on the night stand before
you
go to rest.
If you think someone is trying to get into your house, or if
you hear a noise outside your house, just press the alarm button
On the remote controller of your car.
Test it! It should be triggered on almost when you press in
everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your
battery runs down or until you reset it.
If your car alarm is activated when someone is trying to break in your
house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around.....after a
few
seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who
is
out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.
Try yours to make sure it works before you rely on it. Just
know that you must press the alarm button again to turn it off.
And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car at the
carpark
in the evening or while you are alone. The alarm can work the same way
there.....
This is something that should really be shared with everyone.
Maybe it could save a life or from a sex abuse.
So put those car keys & remote controller on the night table now!
Or if you're at work, forward this message to your home so that you
will
remember to do this tonight when you get home. Let the rest of the
family
know about this too.
And then, forward this to everyone you know.*
Next time you come home for the night and before you put your keys
away,
think of this :
It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and
requires
no installation.
Start keeping your car keys next to your bed on the night stand before
you
go to rest.
If you think someone is trying to get into your house, or if
you hear a noise outside your house, just press the alarm button
On the remote controller of your car.
Test it! It should be triggered on almost when you press in
everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your
battery runs down or until you reset it.
If your car alarm is activated when someone is trying to break in your
house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around.....after a
few
seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who
is
out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.
Try yours to make sure it works before you rely on it. Just
know that you must press the alarm button again to turn it off.
And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car at the
carpark
in the evening or while you are alone. The alarm can work the same way
there.....
This is something that should really be shared with everyone.
Maybe it could save a life or from a sex abuse.
So put those car keys & remote controller on the night table now!
Or if you're at work, forward this message to your home so that you
will
remember to do this tonight when you get home. Let the rest of the
family
know about this too.
And then, forward this to everyone you know.*
Nurin Jazlin among 17 children still on police list of missing persons
PETALING JAYA: As the anguish continues for Nurin Jazlin’s parents Jazimin Abdul Jalil and Norazian Bistaman, there are at least 16 other parents out there anxiously awaiting news of their missing children.
Nurin is among the 17 children under the age of nine – 10 boys and seven girls – on the police’s list of missing persons.
These children seem to have “vanished” between January and July this year, and have yet to be found. Some left their homes, and like Nurin, never returned. Others were lured away by friends.
They are among the 34 cases (under nine years old) reported to the police until July. Sixteen of the cases involve boys and 18 others are girls. Police have so far found six boys and 11 girls.
“There were other reasons as well, such as the children running away because they were not interested in studying anymore and wanted freedom.
“Many also cited being scolded by their parents and they felt their parents did not understand them, or they felt their parents did not care for them,” said CID director Commissioner Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee.
“But the main reason for the missing children was family dispute. Ten cases involved one parent taking away the child without informing the other after the couple divorced,” he said.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said society must accept that times have changed.
“We must re-look the value of trust. Urbanisation and progress bring development but also complicate society. We have all kinds of strangers around us and our children.
“The onus is on us, as parents, not to allow our children go out by themselves, even if it is to the grocery store. It is unfortunate, but we must also teach our children not to help strangers because the young ones are too innocent to differentiate between a ruse and a genuine cry for help,” said Dr Ng.
The Deputy Finance Minister said as harsh as it sounded, parents must also teach their children not to be trusting of strangers, teachers and even relatives.
“It has been proven that children have been terribly hurt by those closest to them. The bad person is not confined to the stranger on the street,” said Dr Ng.
She urged society to be caring enough to look out for all children.
“If you happen to come across a child in need, or one looking terrified as she is being held tightly by an adult, do not turn a blind eye, ask the child if he needs your help,” said Dr Ng.
Child psychologist and Suhakam commissioner Dr Chiam Heng Keng said adults could not expect children to have the ability to fend for themselves, or differentiate a “good” person from a “bad” one.
“Children below 10 are not mature enough to think rationally. In many advanced countries, the law forbids these children to be left alone at home or venture out on their own,” she said.
Nurin is among the 17 children under the age of nine – 10 boys and seven girls – on the police’s list of missing persons.
These children seem to have “vanished” between January and July this year, and have yet to be found. Some left their homes, and like Nurin, never returned. Others were lured away by friends.
They are among the 34 cases (under nine years old) reported to the police until July. Sixteen of the cases involve boys and 18 others are girls. Police have so far found six boys and 11 girls.
“There were other reasons as well, such as the children running away because they were not interested in studying anymore and wanted freedom.
“Many also cited being scolded by their parents and they felt their parents did not understand them, or they felt their parents did not care for them,” said CID director Commissioner Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee.
“But the main reason for the missing children was family dispute. Ten cases involved one parent taking away the child without informing the other after the couple divorced,” he said.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said society must accept that times have changed.
“We must re-look the value of trust. Urbanisation and progress bring development but also complicate society. We have all kinds of strangers around us and our children.
“The onus is on us, as parents, not to allow our children go out by themselves, even if it is to the grocery store. It is unfortunate, but we must also teach our children not to help strangers because the young ones are too innocent to differentiate between a ruse and a genuine cry for help,” said Dr Ng.
The Deputy Finance Minister said as harsh as it sounded, parents must also teach their children not to be trusting of strangers, teachers and even relatives.
“It has been proven that children have been terribly hurt by those closest to them. The bad person is not confined to the stranger on the street,” said Dr Ng.
She urged society to be caring enough to look out for all children.
“If you happen to come across a child in need, or one looking terrified as she is being held tightly by an adult, do not turn a blind eye, ask the child if he needs your help,” said Dr Ng.
Child psychologist and Suhakam commissioner Dr Chiam Heng Keng said adults could not expect children to have the ability to fend for themselves, or differentiate a “good” person from a “bad” one.
“Children below 10 are not mature enough to think rationally. In many advanced countries, the law forbids these children to be left alone at home or venture out on their own,” she said.
Recent News on the recent gruesome murder
Video footage holds key to girl’s murder
By RASHITHA A. HAMID
Do you know her?: ACP Arjunaidi showing a picture of the naked girl whose body was found in a sports bag.
PETALING JAYA: A video footage of a motorist leaving a sports bag at the staircase of a shop here holds the key to solving the case of a little girl whose naked body was found at the site.
It is learnt that police are viewing the recording captured by closed circuit television (CCTV) and are hoping to obtain crucial information that can lead them to the arrest of the sadist who murdered the yet-to-be identified girl.
Also recorded were images of a woman loitering around the area and getting into a car.
Sources said police had several other leads but are tight-lipped to ensure that investigations into the much-publicised murder are not jeopardised.
It is learnt that several strands of hairs, not belonging to the girl, were also found on her.
A huge banner, measuring 13m by 4m, hangs over the Sunway toll plaza of the LDP highway in Subang Jaya urging motorists to keep a lookout for Nurin Jazlin Jazimin. The banner is sponsored by Takaful Ikhlas with highway operator Litrak providing the space. More than 20,000 leaflets were also distributed to motorists at all Litrak and Sprint toll plazas. — ABDUL RAHMAN SENIN
Selangor CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Mazlan Mansor, when contacted, confirmed that police have some leads but declined to elaborate.
However, police are stumped as to why no one has come forward to identify the body or report about their missing daughter.
Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohd said the post-mortem conducted on the girl revealed the cause of death as a ruptured intestine and massive bleeding.
“However, no seminal stains were found in the girl’s private parts, besides the cucumber and brinjal,” he said.
On Monday, the naked body of the girl, believed to be between six and nine years old, was found stuffed into a sports bag and left at the staircase of a shoplot in PJS1/48 Petaling Utama.
There were bruises on her neck, suggesting that she may have been strangled, and her hands.
Police also took DNA samples from the parents of Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, an eight-year-old girl who has been reported missing since Aug 22 after she went to a pasar malam near her house in Wangsa Maju on her own.
Nurin’s parents were called to view the body of the girl on Monday and had said it was not their daughter.
ACP Arjunaidi said police also contacted all district police stations to check on their missing-girl reports.
The body-in-the-bag girl weighed about 18kg and was about 150cm in height. Police also found a birthmark on her left thigh.
A supervisor with a book distributing company found the black-and-blue bag at 8.30am at the staircase of her office. She thought the bag belonged to her employer who had just returned from Singapore.
Her boss, who came into the office later, was horrified when he opened the bag and saw a pair of legs.
Police are appealing to those with missing daughters to call the district police headquarters here at 03-7966 2222.
Meanwhile, MCA Public Complaints and Services Department head Datuk Michael Chong said a RM20,000 reward would be given to those who could provide information leading to the arrest of the girl’s killer.
He said RM10,000 was from the MCA and the remaining RM10,000 from a Datuk who did not want to be identified.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the public, including children, had the right to live, work, study and play in a safe and secure environment.
He said DAP hoped the police would solve the case soon.
By RASHITHA A. HAMID
Do you know her?: ACP Arjunaidi showing a picture of the naked girl whose body was found in a sports bag.
PETALING JAYA: A video footage of a motorist leaving a sports bag at the staircase of a shop here holds the key to solving the case of a little girl whose naked body was found at the site.
It is learnt that police are viewing the recording captured by closed circuit television (CCTV) and are hoping to obtain crucial information that can lead them to the arrest of the sadist who murdered the yet-to-be identified girl.
Also recorded were images of a woman loitering around the area and getting into a car.
Sources said police had several other leads but are tight-lipped to ensure that investigations into the much-publicised murder are not jeopardised.
It is learnt that several strands of hairs, not belonging to the girl, were also found on her.
A huge banner, measuring 13m by 4m, hangs over the Sunway toll plaza of the LDP highway in Subang Jaya urging motorists to keep a lookout for Nurin Jazlin Jazimin. The banner is sponsored by Takaful Ikhlas with highway operator Litrak providing the space. More than 20,000 leaflets were also distributed to motorists at all Litrak and Sprint toll plazas. — ABDUL RAHMAN SENIN
Selangor CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Mazlan Mansor, when contacted, confirmed that police have some leads but declined to elaborate.
However, police are stumped as to why no one has come forward to identify the body or report about their missing daughter.
Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohd said the post-mortem conducted on the girl revealed the cause of death as a ruptured intestine and massive bleeding.
“However, no seminal stains were found in the girl’s private parts, besides the cucumber and brinjal,” he said.
On Monday, the naked body of the girl, believed to be between six and nine years old, was found stuffed into a sports bag and left at the staircase of a shoplot in PJS1/48 Petaling Utama.
There were bruises on her neck, suggesting that she may have been strangled, and her hands.
Police also took DNA samples from the parents of Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, an eight-year-old girl who has been reported missing since Aug 22 after she went to a pasar malam near her house in Wangsa Maju on her own.
Nurin’s parents were called to view the body of the girl on Monday and had said it was not their daughter.
ACP Arjunaidi said police also contacted all district police stations to check on their missing-girl reports.
The body-in-the-bag girl weighed about 18kg and was about 150cm in height. Police also found a birthmark on her left thigh.
A supervisor with a book distributing company found the black-and-blue bag at 8.30am at the staircase of her office. She thought the bag belonged to her employer who had just returned from Singapore.
Her boss, who came into the office later, was horrified when he opened the bag and saw a pair of legs.
Police are appealing to those with missing daughters to call the district police headquarters here at 03-7966 2222.
Meanwhile, MCA Public Complaints and Services Department head Datuk Michael Chong said a RM20,000 reward would be given to those who could provide information leading to the arrest of the girl’s killer.
He said RM10,000 was from the MCA and the remaining RM10,000 from a Datuk who did not want to be identified.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the public, including children, had the right to live, work, study and play in a safe and secure environment.
He said DAP hoped the police would solve the case soon.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Child found sexually assaulted and killed
By RASHITHA A. HAMID
rashitha@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: She was just a little girl. But that did not stop some sick monster from killing her after sexually assaulting her.
Her naked body was stuffed into a sports bag and left at the staircase of a shop lot in PJS1/48 Petaling Utama yesterday.
There were bruises on her neck, suggesting that she may have been strangled. There were also bruises on her hands.
The girl, said to be between six and nine, was initially feared to be eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin who has been reported missing. But Nurin Jazlin’s parents, who rushed to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur mortuary, said it was not their daughter.
A supervisor with a book distributing company Cheng Yan Fang, 32, found the black-and-blue sports bag at 8.30am outside the premises. She thought the bag belonged to her employer who had just returned from Singapore.
Jack Yeoh Huat Lip, 51, the general manager of the company came in 30 minutes later and said the bag was not his.
When he opened it, he was horrified to see a pair of legs. He immediately called the police.
Gruesome find: The bag (inset) in which the body was found was just outside the premises of a book distributing company in Petaling Jaya.
“Saturday was a half day and the office was closed yesterday,” Yeoh said, adding that the supervisor who left the office at 1pm on Saturday did not see anything near the staircase then.
Petaling Jaya police chief Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohd confirmed a post mortem report that the killer had placed a cucumber and a brinjal in the girl’s private parts.
“She must have endured so much pain before she died,” he said.
Police believe the girl, whose identity has not been ascertained, had been dead for more than six hours before her body was found.
Police are appealing to those with missing daughters to call the district police headquarters here at 03-79562222. No arrest has been made yet.
rashitha@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: She was just a little girl. But that did not stop some sick monster from killing her after sexually assaulting her.
Her naked body was stuffed into a sports bag and left at the staircase of a shop lot in PJS1/48 Petaling Utama yesterday.
There were bruises on her neck, suggesting that she may have been strangled. There were also bruises on her hands.
The girl, said to be between six and nine, was initially feared to be eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin who has been reported missing. But Nurin Jazlin’s parents, who rushed to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur mortuary, said it was not their daughter.
A supervisor with a book distributing company Cheng Yan Fang, 32, found the black-and-blue sports bag at 8.30am outside the premises. She thought the bag belonged to her employer who had just returned from Singapore.
Jack Yeoh Huat Lip, 51, the general manager of the company came in 30 minutes later and said the bag was not his.
When he opened it, he was horrified to see a pair of legs. He immediately called the police.
Gruesome find: The bag (inset) in which the body was found was just outside the premises of a book distributing company in Petaling Jaya.
“Saturday was a half day and the office was closed yesterday,” Yeoh said, adding that the supervisor who left the office at 1pm on Saturday did not see anything near the staircase then.
Petaling Jaya police chief Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohd confirmed a post mortem report that the killer had placed a cucumber and a brinjal in the girl’s private parts.
“She must have endured so much pain before she died,” he said.
Police believe the girl, whose identity has not been ascertained, had been dead for more than six hours before her body was found.
Police are appealing to those with missing daughters to call the district police headquarters here at 03-79562222. No arrest has been made yet.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Girl Killed, The Star
 |
Shearwey Ooi Ying Ying |
She is believed to have been murdered and her bone fragments strewn in at least four different places – a cemetery, river and an apartment dumpsite in Paya Terubong and another river in Jalan Air Itam.
Penang CPO Deputy Commissioner Datuk Koh Hong Sun said a woman and her boyfriend were arrested at the Bayan Lepas police station at 1pm yesterday in connection with the little girl's death.
The murder allegedly took place in the couple’s rented apartment in Bandar Baru Air Itam on Friday, the day the girl was reported missing by her mother Jess Teh.
It is learnt the man could have killed the girl while the woman, a close relative, was at work. He then brought the body to a nearby cemetery where he burnt the body using kerosene.
After being arrested, the suspect brought a police team, led by forensic pathologist Datuk Dr Bhupinder Singh to the cemetery at 7pm where they found a bone fragment near a tombstone. The girl’s burnt pyjamas were recovered from a nearby river, wrapped in a black plastic bag.
The search later continued at an apartment in Lintang Paya Terubong before proceeding to another river at Jalan Air Itam. The two were then brought back to their rented apartment as police searched for more leads.
Teh, 28, who is in the midst of a divorce, had told a press conference on Saturday that she left Ying Ying outside her car near the Bayan Baru market when she went to pay for her parking ticket and found the girl missing when she returned.
She had appealed to the Penang MCA and the public to help find the girl, leading to a state-wide search involving over 1,000 party members. Thousands of posters of Ying Ying were printed and distributed as well as put up in public places in the hope of finding the girl alive.
 |
Suspect: Two policemen leading the suspect to the rented apartment in Bandar Baru Air Itam to look for leads. |
Ying Ying's uncle Ooi Eng Hiap, 25, was shocked to learn of his niece's death last night.
“She did not have to die this way,” he said, adding that he had yet to relay the tragic news to his brother, Eng Chew (Ying Ying's father).
Eng Chew had planned to return from Yunnan, China today.
At Ying Ying's grandparents' home in Bandar Baru Air Itam, loud wails and sobs could be heard several doors away.
“Why take the life of an innocent child? I took care of her until she was so big and they killed her just like that,” the grandmother was heard saying in between sobs. The family refused to speak to the press.
State MCA Wanita chief Ooi Siew Kim said: “Ying Ying was an innocent child and we are very sad that things have turned out this way.”
Bayan Baru MP Datuk Wong Kam Hoong, who had offered a RM10,000 reward to locate the girl, described the news as “shocking”.
“We never expected such a tragic end. We had hoped to reunite the family,” he said.
 |
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Can You Talk Your Way Out of a Rape, University of Defence
Can You Talk Your Way Out of a Rape or Simply Run Away?
By Brad Parker
As with ANY violent encounter, it is always preferable to talk your way out of it or run away from it. As Mark Twain said, "It’s always easier to stay out of trouble than to get out of trouble."
A writer for Cosmopolitan Magazine contacted me to locate women who have successfully "talked" their way out of a rape.
I appealed to the members of Defend University and Women’s Self-Defense Institute. The OVERWHELMING response was that it is truly rare for a woman to deter a rapist by simply verbal means.
Here’s a sample response from "Marion":
"A friend was raped (behind the police station!) and she argued many many things [with the attacker] but none helped her. The rapist said he was so lonely 'he did not even have a plant' so the girl offered him to go to her room (anything to get away and try to contact someone) but he did not give in. He had grabbed her long hair and pulled her to the ground. He 'used' her for over 45 minutes and then a fireman saw them and took him off of her, brought him to the police station. And when I came in to pick up my friend, the officers (young and inexperienced) were joking about the rape –‘ 45 minutes! Wow!’ Things like that. That was horrible for her."
Marion commented that the rapist had enough cash on him to be able to afford a prostitute.
"Which proves the point that rape is not about wanting sex, it is about acting out rage by abusing someone, controlling someone, in the most heinous way possible," says Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, therapist and author of If I'd Only Known...Sexual Abuse in or out of the Family: A Guide to Prevention.
Another member commented that his wife was once able to successfully verbally dissuade an attacker in a parking lot, but he opines that her 9mm pistol might have had more impact on the would-be rapist than her oratory skills.
I have reviewed cases and stories about the realities of rape and once the attacker can get you in a private place, it is rare that reasoning, pleading, crying, or begging will change his motivation. In fact, there is evidence that it might even increase the predator’s pleasure as he revels in your helplessness and his control.
Does this mean it can’t be done? Every circumstance will be different.
Apparently, the "acquaintance" or "date" rapist is more easily deterred by verbal de-escalation. Tell them, "NO! Do not do this, you are raping me! If you do this, you will ruin your life. You DON’T want to be convicted of rape. STOP, YOU ARE RAPING ME!"
You can also appeal to their fear of being caught – "I will tell your wife!" or "I will tell my husband!" could have a sobering effect on an acquaintance.
But, statements like this apparently have little effect on the rapist who is not directly connected to you and has no fear of you identifying him. Be aware that 75 percent of rapes are perpetrated on someone that the attacker knows, either directly or indirectly. But they might "know" you because they were working on the house next door or they might be a friend of a friend. So, the attacker has seen you, stalked you and knows who you are, but you might not really know who he is.
So should you tell him that you have AIDS? Herpes? What are you going to do when he responds, "Cool, me too!"? What if you tell him that you are pregnant or on your period? He’ll be more than happy to rape you orally instead.
Take the case relayed by a vice detective where a woman attempted to dissuade the attacker from raping her orally. She told him that she couldn’t perform fellatio because she was so scared that her mouth was too dry. The rapist’s reaction? He pried open her jaws, spit into her mouth and continued his penetration.
There is such a thing as the "Crazy Person" defense. I have seen it in action for myself when booking people into the main jail intake. Two officers brought in a very petite woman in handcuffs, so obviously, she was under arrest for some charge. Imagine this one small woman, brought into a holding area with about 50 men, all under arrest and some of the toughest criminals in town. Fifty pairs of eyes locked onto her. Besides being the only woman in this situation, she was wearing a fairly provocative purple velvet dress. So there was some natural interest by the male crowd. Then she started: she screamed; she ranted; she shook and babbled. She was practically incoherent, but she was very aggressive. And the reaction by the men? It was almost comical to see an entire room full of tough, streetwise men trying desperately to move away from this crazy woman. No one wanted to be anywhere near her.
Whether it was an act or not, I saw first hand how people will do almost anything to avoid an aggressive demented person.
However, you have to be a great actress to pull this off. I would suspect that it might be impossible to do if you have not practiced it.
Other advice that you commonly hear of that I think would be difficult to pull off -- pretending to faint; urinating, defecating or vomiting on command, or – the most often spouted on the TV talk show circuit – yell "fire".
I contend that your body is going to be totally in a flight or fight mode. Most naturally, your body tells you to flee. Not as natural, unless you are trained, your body tells you to fight. Because of the incredible strength of this instinct, it is totally counterintuitive and unnatural to pull any of the "tricks" mentioned above that are advocated by some self-defense instructors.
Most naturally, your body wants to flee, so running away is a completely natural and viable option here. The only problem I encounter on a regular basis is, invariably, the same people who claim their personal protection strategy is to run away are the very same people who never run. Quite frankly, many of these people are incredibly out of shape and they have not run for anything other than a cab or an elevator in some time.
But, running away could be one of your best initial options. Run toward other people. Run toward activity. Run to gain distance between you two. If nothing else, running away makes it more difficult for him in general. And you have an advantage here, studies by the LAPD show that the majority of suspects elude pursuing officers IF the chase lasts more than 200 yards. In other words, the chances of your escape dramatically increase if you can elude him for the length of two football fields.
Okay, reality check here. How many of you can ACTUALLY run 200 yards. Not jog 200 yards, SPRINT 200 yards. I know some of you out there run several miles a day or a week. However, it’s the speed of your dash to life that is important, not the length.
Sorry, there’s another rub. Now that you can actually sprint 200 yards, can you do it in a manner that you could realistically expect to outpace your young male attacker?
If you can’t outrun your attacker, what then?
You MUST have a plan for resistance. Federal victimization studies show that women who resist are not injured any more than those who don’t. Don’t listen to people who tell you not to fight back, that you just invite more violence from the attacker.
In fact, it is just the opposite. Studies by the Model Mugging people of more than 3,000 assaults show that half of all attackers will leave if the woman indicates she is willing to resist. Think about that. One half of all the guys will break off the attack if you even ACT like you are going to cause problems.
Of course, you have to be prepared for the other half who continue their attack.
That’s why our Rape Escape classes are designed around a strategy that allows a woman to avoid penetration, protect her head from his hits AND be in a position that allows her to effectively fight back against a man.
The principles we follow are:
Be aware of people around you.
Stay with people, go to people.
Keep a barrier between you and the bad guy.
Attract attention.
Control his hips and his hands.
Use your strongest weapons against his weakest targets
These principles have personally "saved" a number of our students who have informed me that they are certain they dissuaded potential attackers before a situation deteriorated into a full-blown attack.
Verbalization does have a major role in the Rape Escape curriculum. However, our verbalization is designed as part of a strategy to protect our personal space, it is not designed as a rape prevention technique per se.
The top priority is to control our space. We need to learn how to keep our distance because social distance is too close for self-defense. A predator has to be able to get close enough to you to grab you, to control you.
As females you already know how to spot creepy guys, the key here is to make sure that he knows you see him and are aware of him.
Put him on notice by looking at him. You don’t have to stare him down, but don’t look away or act like you don’t see him.
But if he persists in approaching you have to do one of two things, issue either a soft challenge or a hard challenge.
You might go through your entire life without having to defend yourself from a serious attack. Yet you probably have to defend your space and your dignity several times a week, if not several times per day.
The soft challenge is for the guy who stands too close to you.
You can say, "excuse me" and step back away from the guy. Most nice guys will be extremely apologetic. Even most jerks will stop, having been put on notice.
If he is touching you or making you nervous you say, "excuse me, you’re too close."
Be prepared for them to try and emotionally blackmail you with comments like "jeez, what a bitch!" Don’t fall for it. They shouldn’t have been making you feel nervous in the first place.
The hard challenge is for the person who is ignoring your soft challenge.
You’ve told them to they are too close, but they don’t get it.
Step back another step, put your hands up and command, "Stop, get away from me!"
Don’t ask him a question like, "can I help you?" or "what’s your problem?" You don’t really want an answer, you just want to keep your distance.
You need to practice the command repeatedly, loudly and with authority -- "STOP! GET AWAY FROM ME!"
Your hands are up and you are stepping back…you have marked your boundary and it is unmistakable to any witnesses what is going on.
Practice the command often enough that it becomes a natural response. That way you don’t have to think about what to say or try to formulate a response when you are under the incredible tension and stress that a physical encounter provokes.
As mentioned earlier, you can expect half of your attackers to break off at this point. However, a determined attacker will either continue to move toward you, grab your wrist or try and slap or punch you in the face. His most likely response is to grab one of your wrists and try to punch or slap you with his other hand.
No talking or running will save you now. You must fight back in a way that allows you to hurt him, without you getting hurt in the process – your life depends on it!
By Brad Parker
As with ANY violent encounter, it is always preferable to talk your way out of it or run away from it. As Mark Twain said, "It’s always easier to stay out of trouble than to get out of trouble."
A writer for Cosmopolitan Magazine contacted me to locate women who have successfully "talked" their way out of a rape.
I appealed to the members of Defend University and Women’s Self-Defense Institute. The OVERWHELMING response was that it is truly rare for a woman to deter a rapist by simply verbal means.
Here’s a sample response from "Marion":
"A friend was raped (behind the police station!) and she argued many many things [with the attacker] but none helped her. The rapist said he was so lonely 'he did not even have a plant' so the girl offered him to go to her room (anything to get away and try to contact someone) but he did not give in. He had grabbed her long hair and pulled her to the ground. He 'used' her for over 45 minutes and then a fireman saw them and took him off of her, brought him to the police station. And when I came in to pick up my friend, the officers (young and inexperienced) were joking about the rape –‘ 45 minutes! Wow!’ Things like that. That was horrible for her."
Marion commented that the rapist had enough cash on him to be able to afford a prostitute.
"Which proves the point that rape is not about wanting sex, it is about acting out rage by abusing someone, controlling someone, in the most heinous way possible," says Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, therapist and author of If I'd Only Known...Sexual Abuse in or out of the Family: A Guide to Prevention.
Another member commented that his wife was once able to successfully verbally dissuade an attacker in a parking lot, but he opines that her 9mm pistol might have had more impact on the would-be rapist than her oratory skills.
I have reviewed cases and stories about the realities of rape and once the attacker can get you in a private place, it is rare that reasoning, pleading, crying, or begging will change his motivation. In fact, there is evidence that it might even increase the predator’s pleasure as he revels in your helplessness and his control.
Does this mean it can’t be done? Every circumstance will be different.
Apparently, the "acquaintance" or "date" rapist is more easily deterred by verbal de-escalation. Tell them, "NO! Do not do this, you are raping me! If you do this, you will ruin your life. You DON’T want to be convicted of rape. STOP, YOU ARE RAPING ME!"
You can also appeal to their fear of being caught – "I will tell your wife!" or "I will tell my husband!" could have a sobering effect on an acquaintance.
But, statements like this apparently have little effect on the rapist who is not directly connected to you and has no fear of you identifying him. Be aware that 75 percent of rapes are perpetrated on someone that the attacker knows, either directly or indirectly. But they might "know" you because they were working on the house next door or they might be a friend of a friend. So, the attacker has seen you, stalked you and knows who you are, but you might not really know who he is.
So should you tell him that you have AIDS? Herpes? What are you going to do when he responds, "Cool, me too!"? What if you tell him that you are pregnant or on your period? He’ll be more than happy to rape you orally instead.
Take the case relayed by a vice detective where a woman attempted to dissuade the attacker from raping her orally. She told him that she couldn’t perform fellatio because she was so scared that her mouth was too dry. The rapist’s reaction? He pried open her jaws, spit into her mouth and continued his penetration.
There is such a thing as the "Crazy Person" defense. I have seen it in action for myself when booking people into the main jail intake. Two officers brought in a very petite woman in handcuffs, so obviously, she was under arrest for some charge. Imagine this one small woman, brought into a holding area with about 50 men, all under arrest and some of the toughest criminals in town. Fifty pairs of eyes locked onto her. Besides being the only woman in this situation, she was wearing a fairly provocative purple velvet dress. So there was some natural interest by the male crowd. Then she started: she screamed; she ranted; she shook and babbled. She was practically incoherent, but she was very aggressive. And the reaction by the men? It was almost comical to see an entire room full of tough, streetwise men trying desperately to move away from this crazy woman. No one wanted to be anywhere near her.
Whether it was an act or not, I saw first hand how people will do almost anything to avoid an aggressive demented person.
However, you have to be a great actress to pull this off. I would suspect that it might be impossible to do if you have not practiced it.
Other advice that you commonly hear of that I think would be difficult to pull off -- pretending to faint; urinating, defecating or vomiting on command, or – the most often spouted on the TV talk show circuit – yell "fire".
I contend that your body is going to be totally in a flight or fight mode. Most naturally, your body tells you to flee. Not as natural, unless you are trained, your body tells you to fight. Because of the incredible strength of this instinct, it is totally counterintuitive and unnatural to pull any of the "tricks" mentioned above that are advocated by some self-defense instructors.
Most naturally, your body wants to flee, so running away is a completely natural and viable option here. The only problem I encounter on a regular basis is, invariably, the same people who claim their personal protection strategy is to run away are the very same people who never run. Quite frankly, many of these people are incredibly out of shape and they have not run for anything other than a cab or an elevator in some time.
But, running away could be one of your best initial options. Run toward other people. Run toward activity. Run to gain distance between you two. If nothing else, running away makes it more difficult for him in general. And you have an advantage here, studies by the LAPD show that the majority of suspects elude pursuing officers IF the chase lasts more than 200 yards. In other words, the chances of your escape dramatically increase if you can elude him for the length of two football fields.
Okay, reality check here. How many of you can ACTUALLY run 200 yards. Not jog 200 yards, SPRINT 200 yards. I know some of you out there run several miles a day or a week. However, it’s the speed of your dash to life that is important, not the length.
Sorry, there’s another rub. Now that you can actually sprint 200 yards, can you do it in a manner that you could realistically expect to outpace your young male attacker?
If you can’t outrun your attacker, what then?
You MUST have a plan for resistance. Federal victimization studies show that women who resist are not injured any more than those who don’t. Don’t listen to people who tell you not to fight back, that you just invite more violence from the attacker.
In fact, it is just the opposite. Studies by the Model Mugging people of more than 3,000 assaults show that half of all attackers will leave if the woman indicates she is willing to resist. Think about that. One half of all the guys will break off the attack if you even ACT like you are going to cause problems.
Of course, you have to be prepared for the other half who continue their attack.
That’s why our Rape Escape classes are designed around a strategy that allows a woman to avoid penetration, protect her head from his hits AND be in a position that allows her to effectively fight back against a man.
The principles we follow are:
Be aware of people around you.
Stay with people, go to people.
Keep a barrier between you and the bad guy.
Attract attention.
Control his hips and his hands.
Use your strongest weapons against his weakest targets
These principles have personally "saved" a number of our students who have informed me that they are certain they dissuaded potential attackers before a situation deteriorated into a full-blown attack.
Verbalization does have a major role in the Rape Escape curriculum. However, our verbalization is designed as part of a strategy to protect our personal space, it is not designed as a rape prevention technique per se.
The top priority is to control our space. We need to learn how to keep our distance because social distance is too close for self-defense. A predator has to be able to get close enough to you to grab you, to control you.
As females you already know how to spot creepy guys, the key here is to make sure that he knows you see him and are aware of him.
Put him on notice by looking at him. You don’t have to stare him down, but don’t look away or act like you don’t see him.
But if he persists in approaching you have to do one of two things, issue either a soft challenge or a hard challenge.
You might go through your entire life without having to defend yourself from a serious attack. Yet you probably have to defend your space and your dignity several times a week, if not several times per day.
The soft challenge is for the guy who stands too close to you.
You can say, "excuse me" and step back away from the guy. Most nice guys will be extremely apologetic. Even most jerks will stop, having been put on notice.
If he is touching you or making you nervous you say, "excuse me, you’re too close."
Be prepared for them to try and emotionally blackmail you with comments like "jeez, what a bitch!" Don’t fall for it. They shouldn’t have been making you feel nervous in the first place.
The hard challenge is for the person who is ignoring your soft challenge.
You’ve told them to they are too close, but they don’t get it.
Step back another step, put your hands up and command, "Stop, get away from me!"
Don’t ask him a question like, "can I help you?" or "what’s your problem?" You don’t really want an answer, you just want to keep your distance.
You need to practice the command repeatedly, loudly and with authority -- "STOP! GET AWAY FROM ME!"
Your hands are up and you are stepping back…you have marked your boundary and it is unmistakable to any witnesses what is going on.
Practice the command often enough that it becomes a natural response. That way you don’t have to think about what to say or try to formulate a response when you are under the incredible tension and stress that a physical encounter provokes.
As mentioned earlier, you can expect half of your attackers to break off at this point. However, a determined attacker will either continue to move toward you, grab your wrist or try and slap or punch you in the face. His most likely response is to grab one of your wrists and try to punch or slap you with his other hand.
No talking or running will save you now. You must fight back in a way that allows you to hurt him, without you getting hurt in the process – your life depends on it!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Bullying- National Crime Prevention Council
Tips
- Take complaints of bullying seriously. Do not dismiss your child or expect your child to work through the situation alone.
- Praise your child for reporting bullying situations to you and assure your child you will take action.
- Talk to your child’s teacher, counselor, or other caregiver about reports of bullying. Work together to address the bullying situation. Don’t confront the parents of the bully directly.
- Ask your child specific questions about how your child is treated by peers, who he or she eats lunch with, and how other children are treated.
- Teach your child to be assertive. Your child should be able to express feelings and needs clearly, without shouting or other aggressive behavior.
- Provide opportunities for your child to make friends. Identify some of your child’s interests and encourage your child to pursue them through sports, clubs, or other group activities.
- Teach your child to identify bullying behaviors. These include hitting, damaging possessions, threatening, name calling, excluding someone from the group, spreading rumors, and embarrassing others.
- Teach your child strategies for managing bullying. If bullied, your child can walk away, tell the bully to stop, avoid the bully, or tell and adult.
- If your child sees someone else being bullied, he or she can help the victim walk away, invite the victim over to play or eat lunch, tell the bully to stop picking on someone, or tell and adult.
- Tell your child that you do not tolerate bullying behavior. If you learn that your child has been bullying others, work with your child’s teacher, counselor, or other caregiver to end the bullying.
- Be a positive role model. Avoid using threats or aggression when disciplining your child or when interacting with other adults.
Preventing Violence- National Crime Prevention Council
Tips
- Don’t walk or jog early in the morning or late at night when the streets are deserted.
- When out at night, try to have a friend walk with you.
- Carry only the money you’ll need on a particular day.
- Don’t display your cash or any other inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing.
- If you think someone is following you, switch directions or cross the street. If the person continues to follow you, move quickly toward an open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don’t be afraid to yell for help.
- Try to park in well-lighted areas with good visibility and close to walkways, stores, and people.
- Make sure you have your key out as you approach your door.
- Always lock your car, even if it’s in your own driveway; never leave your motor running.
- Do everything you can to keep a stranger from getting into your car or to keep a stranger from forcing you into his or her car.
- If a dating partner has abused you, do not meet him or her alone. Do not let him or her in your home or car when you are alone.
- If you are a battered spouse, call the police or sheriff immediately. Assault is a crime, whether committed by a stranger or your spouse or any other family member. If you believe that you and your children are in danger, call a crisis hotline or a health center (the police can also make a referral) and leave immediately.
- If someone tries to rob you, give up your property—don’t give up your life.
- If you are robbed or assaulted, report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent someone else from becoming a victim.
Preparedness- National Crime Prevention Council
Tips
- Develop a communications plan for your family. Choose someone who does not live with you (preferably an out-of-town relative or friend) whom you and other family members can contact to check on each other in the event that you are separated during a disaster. Carry that person’s contact information in your purse or wallet.
- Make sure children know their last name, phone number, address, and number for the out-of-town contact person.
- Make sure every member of your family knows an alternate route home.
- If family members can’t get home, designate a meeting place.
- Know your community’s emergency evacuation route.
- Learn how to shut off utilities such as gas, electricity, and water.
- Assemble an emergency preparedness kit that will allow your family to camp out for three days. Assume you’ll be without electricity and running water.
- Store your emergency supplies in sealed containers such as plastic tubs - taped shut.
- Keep cash on hand; automated teller machines won’t be working if the power is out.
- Learn CPR and first aid to help with medical emergencies.
- Learn about emergency plans for your children’s school or daycare center.
- If you’re a teen, find out whether your school has a group of student volunteers to help out in emergency situations. If not, offer to help start such a group. Or start a School Crime Watch.
- Learn about your company’s emergency plan. Practice the plan. Learn exit routes.
- Work with your Neighborhood Watch or civic association to create a disaster preparedness plan.
Preventing Crime- National Crime Prevention Council
Tips
- Make sure you have sturdy metal or solid wood doors at all entries into your home and that sliding glass and similar doors are properly secured.
- Trim the shrubbery around your doors and windows so crooks don’t have a place to hide.
- Do not give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or know with whom you are dealing.
- If you’re a senior, use direct deposit for your Social Security check and other regular payments.
- If you notice someone following you when you’re driving, head for the nearest busy, brightly lighted area. Write down the license number and make and model of the car. Call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Always lock car doors and take the keys when you leave your car, even if you’ll be gone “just for a minute.”
- Don’t leave valuables in view in the car. Leave them in the trunk or, better yet, take them home immediately.
- As you walk down the street or through the parking garage, walk alertly and assertively. Don’t weigh yourself down with too many parcels. Take several loads to the car if necessary.
- If you carry a purse, hold it close to your body; if a wallet, keep it in a front pocket.
- Don’t display your cash or any other inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing.
- When traveling, carry only the credit and ATM cards you absolutely need. Leave the others at home, safely stored.
- Make sure your home is secure when you are traveling—all deadbolts locked, lights left on timers, newspapers stopped, and mail held at the post office or collected by a trusted neighbor who has your travel schedule.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
27/06/07: Average of eight rapes a day this year, Star Online
RAPE cases have increased in recent years, with an average of eight cases a day in the first three months of this year, China Press reported.
About 60% of the 715 cases recorded between January and March were date rapes, with the victims mainly between 15 and 18 years old.
Quoting Asst Supt Ong Saw In from the police department’s rape and sexual abuse against women and children unit, the paper said most cases were reported in Selangor, Johor, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur and Sabah.
She said that contrary to popular belief that rape cases largely occurred in secluded areas, 458 of the cases occurred in houses and buildings.
ASP Ong said there was an average of 5.2 rape cases per day in 2005 but the incidents rose last year with reports of an average of 6.6 cases a day.
24/06/07: Malaysia's reign of terror
The Chinese media gave front-page news and photo coverage to the “show of force” of the police in Johore Baru in projecting high police visibility in crime-prone areas, including night police patrols.
This is welcome by all, not only by the long-suffering people of Johore Baru from the reign of terror from rampaging crime wave, but also by all Malaysians throughout the country – showing that the police is capable of responding to public opinion and pressures.
The visible police presence day-and-night in Johore Baru must not be a transient “PR exercise” which will be forgotten after the end of the current nation-wide outcry at police failure to control and reduce crime, but must be a permanent feature of policing not only in JB but nation-wide, especially in hot spots of crime like Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Penang and Ipoh.
As an immediate follow-up to the stepped-up police presence and visibility in the streets and public places in JB to fight crime, the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan should also announce measures to duplicate such high night-and-day police visibility in the crime “black areas” of Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Penang and Ipoh.
When over 250,000 signatures nation-wide responded to the 100,000-signature campaign launched in JB to restore safety and security, it is a clear message to the police, government, Cabinet and Parliament that the Malaysian public are not prepared to keep silent anymore to be sitting targets and victims of rampant crime and lawlessness, whether in JB or any part of the country.
The Police should commend the Malaysian public for their awareness and public-spirited response to the signature campaign, as well as praise the media, in particular the Chinese media, for their high standards of journalism in reporting the people’s legitimate cries for effective policing to control and reduce crime.
I will propose at the meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance tomorrow the holding of nation-wide public hearings not only in JB but also in other parts of the country, particularly the black areas of crime like the Klang Valley, Penang, Ipoh, Batu Pahat, Alor Star and Sungai Petani to allow Malaysians to speak out their innermost fears and concerns about the crime situation.
Fighting crime to restore to Malaysians their fundamental right to be doubly free from crime and free from the fear of crime must always remain the top national agenda and not be allowed to be sidetracked as minor issue, as it is critical to the quality of life of Malaysians as well as determining the economic future and prosperity of the country – in assuring tourists and investors that they are safe to visit Malaysia or choose Malaysia as their investment destination.
03/04/07: MP worries about crime rate
At The Dewan Rakyat
Reports by ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN, ELIZABETH LOOI AND FLORENCE A SAMY
The Star
IS THE crime rate in the country so alarming that an MP loses his appetite each time he attends Parliament while his wife and children are left at home?
“My house has been burgled twice. Now I am here as Parliament is sitting while my wife and children are at home.
“I am so worried about them that I lose my appetite to eat,” said Huan Cheng Guan (BN – Batu Kawan) when debating on the Royal Address.
He said the crime rate, especially in Penang, was alarming where in his residential area alone, robberies and snatch thefts happened almost every day.
He said the increasing crime rate was a serious problem that must be tackled immediately as the majority of victims were those in the lower and middle-income groups.
His views drew keen interest among MPs.
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN – Bintulu) said the crime rate in his constituency was also increasing to the extent that gangsters were attacking policemen.
“I appreciate that Bukit Aman is taking a serious view of this and that they would act. But please don’t tell the press if they turun padang (carry out their investigations). Do it quietly,” he said.
Chong Eng (DAP – Bukit Mertajam) said the problem stemmed from the failure of the police to effectively enforce the law so much so criminals were adopting the attitude of “we’ll steal whatever we can sell.”
“Even if they have stolen, the police couldn’t catch them, so they’ve become so daring as though the law does not exist to them,” she added.
Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN – Jasin) suggested that the police replace those who could not do a good job in combating crime.
“Those who are about to retire, just let them retire. Replace them with those on the waiting list (for promotion). As they say, new broom sweeps clean,” he said. – Bernama
Reports by ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN, ELIZABETH LOOI AND FLORENCE A SAMY
The Star
IS THE crime rate in the country so alarming that an MP loses his appetite each time he attends Parliament while his wife and children are left at home?
“My house has been burgled twice. Now I am here as Parliament is sitting while my wife and children are at home.
“I am so worried about them that I lose my appetite to eat,” said Huan Cheng Guan (BN – Batu Kawan) when debating on the Royal Address.
He said the crime rate, especially in Penang, was alarming where in his residential area alone, robberies and snatch thefts happened almost every day.
He said the increasing crime rate was a serious problem that must be tackled immediately as the majority of victims were those in the lower and middle-income groups.
His views drew keen interest among MPs.
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN – Bintulu) said the crime rate in his constituency was also increasing to the extent that gangsters were attacking policemen.
“I appreciate that Bukit Aman is taking a serious view of this and that they would act. But please don’t tell the press if they turun padang (carry out their investigations). Do it quietly,” he said.
Chong Eng (DAP – Bukit Mertajam) said the problem stemmed from the failure of the police to effectively enforce the law so much so criminals were adopting the attitude of “we’ll steal whatever we can sell.”
“Even if they have stolen, the police couldn’t catch them, so they’ve become so daring as though the law does not exist to them,” she added.
Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN – Jasin) suggested that the police replace those who could not do a good job in combating crime.
“Those who are about to retire, just let them retire. Replace them with those on the waiting list (for promotion). As they say, new broom sweeps clean,” he said. – Bernama
24/10/07: Malaysia's crime rate on the rise
THE number of rapes rose by almost a third in the first nine months of the year and murders were up by a quarter, according to the national crime index.
Overall, violent crime was up by almost a fifth and the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) said the index as a whole rose by 12.6 per cent compared to the same period last year.
A total of 170,481 crimes were reported since the beginning of the year.
And the data showed that overall, violent crime saw an 18 per cent increase.
Rape cases totalled 1,833 compared to 1,384 over the same period last year while murder cases increased from 375 last year to 473 cases this year.
Property crime also went up, showing a 13.9 per cent increase.
In this category, motorcycle theft was tops, with a 26 per cent increase, while car thefts rose by 14 per cent.
The number of house break-ins showed a 19 per cent increase.
MCPF president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said: 'The public must take extra care in ensuring that they do not make it easier for would-be-thieves to strike.'
But at least Malaysians have less to fear from armed robberies, which decreased from 246 cases last year to 190 cases this year, although robberies without the use of firearms increased by 42 per cent from 9,548 cases to 13,537 cases.
Datuk Dr Ongkili, who released the figures on Sunday, urged the people to help create an 'anti-crime culture'.
'All must play a role to help prevent and say 'No' to crime,' he added.
THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Overall, violent crime was up by almost a fifth and the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) said the index as a whole rose by 12.6 per cent compared to the same period last year.
A total of 170,481 crimes were reported since the beginning of the year.
And the data showed that overall, violent crime saw an 18 per cent increase.
Rape cases totalled 1,833 compared to 1,384 over the same period last year while murder cases increased from 375 last year to 473 cases this year.
Property crime also went up, showing a 13.9 per cent increase.
In this category, motorcycle theft was tops, with a 26 per cent increase, while car thefts rose by 14 per cent.
The number of house break-ins showed a 19 per cent increase.
MCPF president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said: 'The public must take extra care in ensuring that they do not make it easier for would-be-thieves to strike.'
But at least Malaysians have less to fear from armed robberies, which decreased from 246 cases last year to 190 cases this year, although robberies without the use of firearms increased by 42 per cent from 9,548 cases to 13,537 cases.
Datuk Dr Ongkili, who released the figures on Sunday, urged the people to help create an 'anti-crime culture'.
'All must play a role to help prevent and say 'No' to crime,' he added.
THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
18/06/07: Bring in the crime-busters
There is no reason why Johor Baru, with the support of the police and public, cannot regain its turf from the criminals.
ON THE BEAT:BY WONG CHUN WAI
The Star
JOHOR Baru has a grim reputation as a crime-infested city and it is a perception that the Government must work hard to change if the state’s economic plans are to succeed.
All the hard work by the Federal Government to promote the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) will be affected if investors think that Johor Baru is not safe.
The security problem was one of the issues potential investors posed to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when he visited Singapore recently to talk about the multi-billion-ringgit IDR.
Like it or not, investors will not put money into the project if they do not feel safe. That is a fact.
Over the past week, there have been two violent rapes that have triggered a public outcry against the perpetrators. In the first incident on June 12, three men raped a 19-year-old girl and her 22-year-old boyfriend could only watch helplessly because he had been slashed twice.
The following day, a group of armed men took a couple on a one-hour terror ride before raping the 35-year-old woman in the presence of her friend, who was also slashed.
Last month, a woman who was waiting in the car while her husband went into the toilet was held up at knife-point and taken on a terror ride, gang-raped and robbed.
What horrified Malaysians was that the victim was a pregnant woman who begged the men to let her go but they took turns to rape her instead, in the presence of her three-year-old son, in a secluded area.
In May, a gang reportedly terrorised city folk by kicking them off their motorbikes before robbing them. Malaysians returning from Singapore were the targets.
All these high-profile cases of violent crimes have further dented the city’s image, giving the impression that JB is a lawless city and the police seem unable, even incapable, to combat crime effectively.
The public has a right to question the effectiveness of the state police force and they certainly have every right to demand responsibility on the part of the police officials.
The state’s top brass are paid to fight, or at least manage crime, and if they are unable to fulfil their roles, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has to review their positions.
Johor must be given top priority because of the importance of the IDR as the country’s Southern Gateway and every support must be given by all agencies and the private sector to make it a reality.
In March, it was reported that Johor police would get RM330mil for new personnel and hardware to fight crime, including 500 more mobile patrol units, which will ensure a response time of 15 minutes or less.
Johor, which has a 3,000-strong police force, is recruiting at least 2,000 more.
Johor certainly needs plenty of crime-busters and firepower. Last year, a total of 29,079 cases ranging from theft of undergarments to kidnapping were reported in 76 police stations around the state.
About 68% of these reports were lodged in JB district alone while the rest was spread across the remaining seven districts.
While Johor is in the news for violent crimes, it is not the number one state for crime. Selangor is ranked top, but it is no consolation as Johor is in second place.
The state police can boast that it has a solving rate of more than double Interpol’s 20% target for last year, but its report card will not inspire confidence among Johoreans and the rest of Malaysia.
We have to acknowledge that JB has a crime problem, and getting upset over remarks by others that it has these problems will not end our troubles. Don’t shoot the messenger, as they say.
Crime is today one of the biggest concerns of Malaysians, with most of us sharing stories of experiences involving family members, friends or colleagues.
Unlike other states, Johor is located next to Indonesia and Singapore with 17 entry and exit points, especially at the ferry terminals.
Police presence surely needs to be beefed up, particularly at coastal areas, because it is easy for Indonesian criminals to slip in and out undetected.
More police beats, particularly in the city and neighbourhoods, will help to prevent crime.
But fighting crime is not just the job of the police. The community must work with the police to make JB a safer place.
If New York can do it, there is no reason why JB, with the support of the police and public, cannot regain its turf from the criminals.
ON THE BEAT:BY WONG CHUN WAI
The Star
JOHOR Baru has a grim reputation as a crime-infested city and it is a perception that the Government must work hard to change if the state’s economic plans are to succeed.
All the hard work by the Federal Government to promote the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) will be affected if investors think that Johor Baru is not safe.
The security problem was one of the issues potential investors posed to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when he visited Singapore recently to talk about the multi-billion-ringgit IDR.
Like it or not, investors will not put money into the project if they do not feel safe. That is a fact.
Over the past week, there have been two violent rapes that have triggered a public outcry against the perpetrators. In the first incident on June 12, three men raped a 19-year-old girl and her 22-year-old boyfriend could only watch helplessly because he had been slashed twice.
The following day, a group of armed men took a couple on a one-hour terror ride before raping the 35-year-old woman in the presence of her friend, who was also slashed.
Last month, a woman who was waiting in the car while her husband went into the toilet was held up at knife-point and taken on a terror ride, gang-raped and robbed.
What horrified Malaysians was that the victim was a pregnant woman who begged the men to let her go but they took turns to rape her instead, in the presence of her three-year-old son, in a secluded area.
In May, a gang reportedly terrorised city folk by kicking them off their motorbikes before robbing them. Malaysians returning from Singapore were the targets.
All these high-profile cases of violent crimes have further dented the city’s image, giving the impression that JB is a lawless city and the police seem unable, even incapable, to combat crime effectively.
The public has a right to question the effectiveness of the state police force and they certainly have every right to demand responsibility on the part of the police officials.
The state’s top brass are paid to fight, or at least manage crime, and if they are unable to fulfil their roles, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has to review their positions.
Johor must be given top priority because of the importance of the IDR as the country’s Southern Gateway and every support must be given by all agencies and the private sector to make it a reality.
In March, it was reported that Johor police would get RM330mil for new personnel and hardware to fight crime, including 500 more mobile patrol units, which will ensure a response time of 15 minutes or less.
Johor, which has a 3,000-strong police force, is recruiting at least 2,000 more.
Johor certainly needs plenty of crime-busters and firepower. Last year, a total of 29,079 cases ranging from theft of undergarments to kidnapping were reported in 76 police stations around the state.
About 68% of these reports were lodged in JB district alone while the rest was spread across the remaining seven districts.
While Johor is in the news for violent crimes, it is not the number one state for crime. Selangor is ranked top, but it is no consolation as Johor is in second place.
The state police can boast that it has a solving rate of more than double Interpol’s 20% target for last year, but its report card will not inspire confidence among Johoreans and the rest of Malaysia.
We have to acknowledge that JB has a crime problem, and getting upset over remarks by others that it has these problems will not end our troubles. Don’t shoot the messenger, as they say.
Crime is today one of the biggest concerns of Malaysians, with most of us sharing stories of experiences involving family members, friends or colleagues.
Unlike other states, Johor is located next to Indonesia and Singapore with 17 entry and exit points, especially at the ferry terminals.
Police presence surely needs to be beefed up, particularly at coastal areas, because it is easy for Indonesian criminals to slip in and out undetected.
More police beats, particularly in the city and neighbourhoods, will help to prevent crime.
But fighting crime is not just the job of the police. The community must work with the police to make JB a safer place.
If New York can do it, there is no reason why JB, with the support of the police and public, cannot regain its turf from the criminals.
JENAYAH INDEKS 2005-2007, PDRM
JENAYAH INDEKS 2005-2007
* - Bukan Jenayah Indeks (BJI)
| JENAYAH KEKERASAN | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |||
| Jumlah Kes | Kes Selesai | Jumlah Kes | Kes Selesai | Jumlah Kes | Kes Selesai | |
| BUNUH | 497 | 328 | 604 | 385 | 85 | 56 |
| | 94 | 75 | * | * | * | * |
| ROGOL | 1,887 | 1,769 | 2,435 | 2,238 | 474 | 430 |
| CABUL KEHORMATAN | * | * | 2,023 | 1,646 | 350 | 293 |
| SAMUN BERKAWAN BERSENJATA API | 40 | 7 | 68 | 18 | 3 | 3 |
| SAMUN BERKAWAN TANPA SENJATA API | 1842 | 774 | 2,658 | 1,043 | 485 | 164 |
| SAMUN BERSENJATA API | 317 | 59 | 247 | 44 | 40 | 5 |
| SAMUN TANPA SENJATA API | 13,210 | 6,474 | 18,446 | 7,878 | 3,121 | 1,144 |
| PEMERASAN | * | * | 1,549 | 1,020 | 274 | 182 |
| UGUTAN JENAYAH | * | * | 6,336 | 4,972 | 1,142 | 882 |
| MERUSUH | * | * | 2,261 | 1,627 | 409 | 295 |
| MENCEDERAKAN | 4,246 | 3,546 | 5,716 | 4,582 | 982 | 784 |
| JUMLAH | 22,133 | 13,032 | 42,343 | 25,453 | 7,365 | 4,238 |
| JENAYAH HARTA BENDA | ||||||
| CURI | 34,317 | 19,626 | 37,128 | 20,099 | 6,580 | 3,249 |
| CURI VAN/LORI/JENTERA BERAT | 5,507 | 1,667 | 6,328 | 587 | 938 | 161 |
| CURI MOTOKAR | 9,711 | 4,532 | 11,101 | 2,935 | 1,862 | 459 |
| CURI MOTOSIKAL | 51,709 | 22,448 | 64,858 | 10,330 | 11,637 | 3,126 |
| CURI RAGUT | 9,617 | 5,325 | 9,551 | 4,264 | 1,670 | 692 |
| PECAH RUMAH SIANG HARI | 6,923 | 2,653 | 8,253 | 2,749 | 1,477 | 459 |
| PECAH RUMAH MALAM HARI | 17,542 | 7,001 | 19,060 | 6,864 | 3,547 | 1,002 |
| JUMLAH | 135,326 | 63,252 | 156,279 | 47,828 | 27,711 | 9,148 |
| JUMLAH JENAYAH INDEKS | 157,459 | 76,284 | 198,622 | 73,281 | 35,076 | 13,386 |
* - Bukan Jenayah Indeks (BJI)
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