James Masin
KUCHING: Public safety in the city’s streets and the issue of entertainment outlets opening beyond their permitted operating hours have come into the limelight, following Wednesday’s brutal killing of two British medical students here.
The cold-blooded murder at 4.15am, where two Britons were stabbed to death by a group of locals during an alcohol-fuelled confrontation at a Bistro in Abell Road, has raised the need to impose stricter enforcement on the operating hours of entertainment outlets.
Public safety was the main concern as the deceased, age 22 and 23, were openly attacked at a well-lit Jalan Abell normally buzzed with pedestrians and passing motorists regardless of the hour. Worst, a knife believed to be the murder weapon was conveniently available at that particular moment.
“All entertainment outlets should close on time and in accordance to their permits. City councils must be strict in enforcing the law, penalising owners if there is a breach of regulation. There should be no hesitancy in revoking the licences for repeat offenders.
“The police, at the same time, must frequently put up random road blocks especially at night to check people for possession of dangerous weapons in their vehicles. There are laws against the possession of weapons that need to be strongly upheld.
“Police presence must also be strengthened especially in areas often frequented by the public,” Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing told The Borneo Post when commenting on the senseless killing.
The two victims, interning at a local hospital here on a three-month stint, would have completed their attachment today.
Masing also called for installation of CCTV (close circuit television) in various city hotspots and tourist-frequented areas. All the camera surveillance must be interactive and closely monitored to ensure quick action from the police force.
“Safety and security are of paramount importance for tourism. Public safety is the number one concern in attracting tourists. City councils and the Tourism Ministry must bear this in mind. Police security is the basic ingredient for any tourist products to grow. In short, safety is the lynch pin of growth in the tourism industry,” he said.
Touching on one of the city’s main attraction, the Kuching Waterfront, he suggested that the managing agency – Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) – should develop the area in the fashion of the renowned Clarke Quay in Singapore.
Masing suggested that the waterfront be well lit and be patrolled by men in uniform to ensure that it was safe, becoming more attractive to the public and visitors alike. He said the people must be made to feel safe and can enjoy themselves without fear of being harassed.
In addition, traders must be enticed to open up their businesses there to make the waterfront livelier, he said.
“In the development of any tourist products, we must be proactive and, at times, think out of the box. Business as usual attitude can’t work in a highly competitive society,” Masing said.
A socio-political analyst Dato Peter Minos meanwhile said the murder case had given a bad name to Kuching, and inflicted bad reputation to the peaceful and harmonious state of Sarawak.
“Now, we can expect condemnation from everywhere and all because of a few bad chaps. If justice is not done, others will have a different view of the peace and safety situation in Sarawak.
He said the matter could not be taken lightly as the name of Sarawak was at stake.
“We who love peace and harmony cannot keep quiet when murders, snatch thefts, house breakings, car thefts and all kind of crimes are being committed on,” he said.
“Why should we have any pity on these criminals who drag us all to disrepute”.
Meanwhile, local police have considered the case solved following the arrest of four suspects. All those detained have since confessed to the killing.