[NEW UPDATE] BBC Video Investigation Shows Our Restaurants Hiring Bodyguards
Do we need bulletproof cars and bodyguards to feel safe in Malaysia? According to a report by Singapore's The Straits Times, some of us do.
By Mei Mei Chu — 02 Aug 2013, 04:08 PM — Updated almost 11 years ago
BBC says even Malaysian restaurants are hiring armed guards
A series of armed robberies and high profile shootings in Malaysia has caused many people across the country to turn to self-protection. One seafood restaurant in Kuala Lumpur has even hired an armed guard to patrol outside, as Jennifer Pak reports.
Pemandu says violent crime is on the rise, causing concern among Malaysians
According to police statistics released by the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), indexed crime for the period of January-June 2012 totalled 76,247 reported cases. This dropped by 2,120 cases to 74,127 in 2013.
thestar.com.myHowever, cases of violent crime increased from 14,811 to 15,098 over the same period. Of this figure, robbery (including gang robbery) with firearms also increased, from 69 cases to 74.
thestar.com.myMurders rose from 291 cases in the first six months of 2012 to 322 cases in 2013. There has been a recent spate of high-profile gun crimes, which has caused concern among Malaysians.
asianews.co
Malaysians, worried about their safety, are turning to bulletproof cars
Manufacturers of bulletproof glass for cars and homes reported getting more inquiries and business than usual.
These shields do not come cheap. According to Mr Ooi, it costs between RM30,000 (S$11,700) and RM50,000 to bulletproof a car, depending on the size of the doors and windows.
A check showed that one can bulletproof the windows of a Perodua Kancil windows from around RM1,000 but it can be more expensive for other models.
thestar.com.mySTEC Laminates director James Thomas said enquiries for security protec-tion of cars have increased during the last week. “Since the shooting incidents, enquiries have increased and we have received five calls in one week,” said Thomas.
thestar.com.myBoth Ambank founder Najadi and MyWatch chairman Sanjeevan were shot while they were in their cars
FULL STORY: R Sri Sanjeevan, the Chairman of the Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force (MyWatch) has been shot on 27 July 2013. The MyWatch chairman has received death threats earlier this year. Sanjeevan is now in critical condition.
bit.ly
Bodyguard agencies are seeing a boom in business too
Public concern is growing at a time when Malaysians are already grappling with the higher incidence of other crimes, including robbery and snatch theft. Bodyguard agencies are expecting demand for their services to rise.
Agencies providing bodyguards and security-consulting services said they were beefing up staff strength in anticipation of increased demand.
Jack Yin, who runs a bodyguard agency, said he was recruiting more personnel as he expects demand to go up in the next few weeks. Yin said hiring an armed bodyguard for 12 hours a day for 28 days would cost about RM9,000.
themalaysianinsider.com
“Demand for bodyguards usually goes up about 20% in the one or two weeks after a spike in crime,” he said, adding that on a monthly average, he gets three to four clients.
themalaysianinsider.com
How can the government use existing laws to ensure public safety?
Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) chief executive Datuk Seri Idris Jala said the government will use existing laws until new legislation can be introduced to act against serious and organised crime.
Idris said the government will use the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) 1959 to allow enforcement authorities to investigate, register and monitor organised crime and repeat offenders.
themalaysianinsider.com
"The joint task force will strengthen the capabilities of all relevant parties, including PDRM, AGC and the courts, to put known and repeat offenders of violent and organised crime under supervision," he said, referring to the Royal Malaysian Police and the Attorney-General's Chambers.
themalaysianinsider.com
Now, the government wants to use electronic tags to intercept communication and track movements of offenders
"Other countries such as the UK and the US have been making use of the EMDs for quite some time, and they have seen a declining rate of recidivism," Idris said.
themalaysianinsider.com
Putrajaya will soon be introducing new measures that allow law enforcers to intercept communications and snap electronic bracelets to track organised and violent crime suspects while it works on new laws to tackle the rising crime problem.
themalaymailonline.com
He also said a new provision in the Security Offences Act 2012 will allow the use of electronic monitoring devices to track the movement of offenders to ensure they do not commit another crime while out on bail.
themalaymailonline.com
"The Criminal Procedure Code (‘CPC’) has a new provision that allows interception of communications to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement officers to compile evidence against organised and violent crime offenders."
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