Malaysia crime rates are rising in an alarming rate… there was a dramatic 13.4% increase in violent crimes last year, of which rape cases were up by about 30% and gang robbery by a whopping 160%. [Malaysiakini]
We need to act fast to cope with this problem; it is a matter that concerned every Malaysian citizens, and quite often it’s a matter of life and death.
I don’t quite understand how the crime rates could be soaring sky high in the past few years. Set the crime fighting and prevention efforts aside… I couldn’t figure out how on earth did we managed to produce so many criminals in Malaysia.
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MCA (former) vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who yesterday admitted to being the man in the sex DVD, copies of which are widely distributed in Johor, today resigned as Health Minister, MP for Labis and from all party posts with immediate effect. [Bernama]
I still believe that he shouldn’t resign under this circumstance. As mentioned at my earlier post, Chua’s resigning is indirectly surrendering to the real culprits by approving that privacy invasion (secret recording) is the right thing to do.
No credits to Chua for stepping down and leaving everything behind. It is easy for him to abandon everything now; it would be tougher to stand on his feet and face the crisis instead of giving up so soon, which he should… he chose the easier path.
My hope now is that the people behind the sex DVD could be brought to justice. However, considering the possible political agenda behind the whole scandal… I wonder if the cops would be doing their best to find the culprits.
[Update] – MCA accepts Chua resignation [Malaysiakini]
Some thoughts from other bloggers regarding Chua’s resignation…
The grave sins of Chua Soi Lek
Honesty is such a lonely world
Chua soi lek resigns just about every damn thing
So much smoke, Lulu’s not able to see clearly
Of the only crime here is intrusion of privacy
Was Chua Soi Lek victim of double betrayal?
Chua did the honourable thing (I don’t agree, obviously)
Health Minister Chua Soi Lek openly admitted that he was the person featured in a video depicting a man having sex with a woman purportedly in a hotel room.
Copies of the pornographic videotape were widely distributed in Johor in DVD format over the last few days; but despite his admission of guilt over the matter, Dr Chua stressed that he would not resign from his government and party positions. [Malaysiakini and Bernama]
Adultery is a shameful act regardless of how influential the person is. It doesn’t matter if Chua is the health minister or a janitor; what matter is that he is a husband and a father… and what he did was hurting his wife and his family… it’s a very irresponsible act.
However, the people behind the sex tape are even worse. It is a serious violation of privacy, it’s against the law, and it served no purpose that concerned national interest.
If these people could have install spy-cam to trap Chua, what makes the public think that they won’t up their ante to secretly record sex tape of legit couple and make it into porno (for profit, whatever) instead? It could be a hotel this time… but who can guarantee that they won’t be installing the spy cam at your home next round? The culprits must be brought into justice.
Asking Chua Soi Lek to resign is indirectly approving that making the sex tape is the right thing to do. What Chua did is a disgrace, but it’s not the right time for him to step down… not under this circumstance.
Besides, if his wife and family have chosen to forgive him… it’s actually none of our business.
Update – Chua resigns from all posts.
The Sessions Court here today acquitted and discharged 31 people charged with attempting to murder a police officer during an illegal assembly organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) in front of the Sri Subramaniar temple in Batu Caves, near here, on Nov 25.
Judge Nursinah Adzmi made the decision after allowing the application by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to withdraw the charges against them. [Bernama]
This have to be one of the biggest Malaysia jokes in 2007… it was a murder attempt charge, not chicken stealing. The AG should not have press the charges at the first place if he didn’t have enough evidence to prove the case… and if he does have solid evidence to prove it, they shouldn’t withdraw it at all.
I am not a law expert, but I know simple enough that our law should not be treated as a game… it’s controversial to press the charge, but it’s even worse to drop the case rather easily. The whole thing is just stupid.
Well, at least it’s good news for these 31 people… I hope that they are really innocent and not being let off for political reasons.
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters were charged with attempted murder and causing damage to public property during the mass rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25. [Malaysiakini]
No sympathy from me. I know some people will argue that the police were using tear gases, water cannons and some violent acts as well, but two wrongs don’t make one right… it doesn’t mean that it’s ok to throw bricks and iron pipes at the police when the cops were using force.
Yes, the charges might be biased and discriminative. It’s uncommon for Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail to personally handle the case when he is ignoring some other more pressing cases (Altantuya’s murder for example)… and besides that, I can’t stop wondering what has happened to the officer that fired 4 shots to the crowd at Batu Buruk fracas.
Still, it doesn’t mean that it is wrong to charge the Hindraf supporters. If there is anything to concern about… it’s to make sure that the prosecutors are not framing the accused but have solid proof to press the charges, and that the trial is handle fair and square with proper transparency.
Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi opened the UMNO General Assembly on Wednesday (Nov 7) at the Putra World Trade Centre. The following is the full text of his opening address [TheStar]…
STRENGTHENING CONFIDENCE – VENTURING INTO A NEW ERA
Alhamdulillah, with God’s will, we are convene for the 58th UMNO General Assembly.
2. Our assembly this year takes place in the glow of the 50th Merdeka celebrations. This is also our first assembly for the next 50 years. Beginning the first national elections, UMNO, as part of the Alliance and subsequently Barisan Nasional, has formed the national government based on the principle of power sharing. It also spearheaded the drive towards independence.
3. The Malayan Government, considered to be lacking in experience, faced myriad challenges. Twelve years after independence, the nation was riven by racial riots that threatened its survival. Thanks to mutual understanding and a strong spirit of cooperation, we overcame this test. That dark time in our history became a valuable lesson that taught us the need to strengthen our unity.
4. In the aftermath of this tragedy, the Government introduced three major measures. First, the Rukun Negara was introduced as a national ideology to ensure national unity and safeguard the integrity of the nation. Second, the New Economic Policy was designed to develop our economy based on fair and equitable growth. Finally, the Barisan Nasional was introduced as an effective and inclusive political vehicle. The implementation of these three measures has brought success, guaranteed our survival and brought us the prosperity that we enjoy to this day.
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We have often heard about suggestion for heavier penalties and punishment for rapists, particular on child rapists.
Puteri UMNO has raised the suggestion again (castration and death etc.) during the general assembly. I do understand the rage of the delegates, I share the same sentiment once in a while… but there are a few reasons why the penalties cannot be too severe.
One of the major reasons is to protect the life of the victim. It is cruel to be raped, but it is still better to stay alive than to be dead. If a convicted rapist would have to face castration or death penalty; he could resort to killing the victim once and for all… since that the punishment for raping is nothing less than killing.
The recent cases of Nurin and Preeshena suggested that the rapists are killers regardless, but do mind that there are hundreds and thousands of other sexual assault cases that didn’t get as much attention by the press… and the victims have managed to stay alive.
There will be arguments that the mental torture could be as close to death for the victims; I can understand that… but as long as the victims are still alive, they will have their chances to overcome the nightmare and carry on with their life.
There might be room for more severe punishment to rapist (extra jail terms perhaps), but the law would have it limits. We have to resolve to other solutions to fight sex crimes.
I read a news yesterday, about a 9-year-old Indian girl being sexually assaulted and murdered… I actually wrote something about that, but deleted it, because I was not sure what to write…
It’s simply unimaginable what kind of human could do that to young children. With Nurin’s tragedy still ringing in our mind, here it comes another brutal fatality… it is saddening, and horrifying.
I want to think that the police are doing their best to solve these cases. I don’t want to blame the cops too much because I believe that there are genuine officers in Malaysia that are fighting crimes to their best… but their best is not enough at the moment.
I am not sure what can we do to prevent these cases from happening again. Parents should obviously pay more attention to children safety, but I am not sure if it is enough. I am feeling really pessimistic about our rising crime rate.
The government should think of something… forget about multimillion projects, forget about sending man to space. What’s the point of these achievements if we can’t even keep our streets safe?
Hope that the victim could rest in peace; my condolence for her parents and family.
