KUCHING: The Ministry of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing together with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have formed a Crime Consultative Committee to formulate comprehensive mechanisms that prompt a decline in total crime.
Its minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said the committee was expected to bring together the ministry and police to discuss issues of mutual concern (drug abuse, rape, suicide and baby dumping); provide police the opportunity to share ideas like how to reduce the crime rate; and provide a forum to share information and formulate crime fighting mechanisms.
Hence, this committee aims to provide the people a deeper understanding of the crime situation in their areas.
“It is hoped through the establishment of this committee the crime index will decline significantly as we share the same mission and vision. This is a good start as we are at the right footing to ensure a safer environment for everyone.
“We need to look at its root in order to tackle the problem and not just treat the symptoms,” she told a press conference after chairing in her office at Masja here yesterday a Consultative Committee meeting attended by State Commissioner of Police Datuk Mazlan Mansor.
Fatimah said the rise in domestic violence cases was a cause for concern and for the committee to address.
She disclosed that there were 223 domestic violence cases recorded from January to July this year, an increase of 79 cases from the same period last year.
According to statistics, most cases were recorded in Kuching, Padawan and Miri, involving victims 19 to 25 years old.
Fatimah added that the level of awareness of domestic violence had increased with more cases reported as victims pluck up confidence to seek justice from the police.
“Previously, there were occurrences of such cases (domestic violence) but not many cases were reported,” she said, adding that if the victim lodged a police report, the case would be investigated and the arrest conducted.
“The law will protect them (victims) and the police will enforce the rule, and they can look to the police for assistance and protection through the Interim Protection Order (IPO) under the Domestic Violence Act 1994 (521 Act).
“This will protect the victim from the perpetrator,” she added.
Fatimah said Sarawak ranked sixth highest for domestic violence cases nationwide.
Also present were Assistant Minister for Welfare and Community Wellbeing Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Assistant Minister for Early Childhood Education and Family Development Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, and State CID chief, SAC Dev Jumar M M Sree Shunmugam.