Crime Rates

Back in 2011, Malaysia gained recognition with the Global Peace Index ranking 19th out of 153 countries. It was a big step for Malaysia because in 2009, it was ranked only at 26th.

Now, we all must be thinking, that it is a safe country. I'm not sure if that is what you want to think. According to the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin, the crime index of Malaysia had then decreased by 11%. I have friends and family in Malaysia. Better still, I live in Malaysia. Here's what I have to say about it. If security have improved, why do people worry about stepping out of their homes? Some people are even afraid of their own homes. Is 2009 really worst than 2011? Better yet, is 2011 better than 2012?

And if Malaysia is one of the safest country, I don't dare think about any other countries that are ranked below Malaysia. Just recently in May, before I return to Malaysia, a child, Nayati Shamelin Moodliar was kidnapped. Thanks to the public, Moodliar was safely returned to his home.

Since then, it was crimes after crimes, after crimes. Read this article and it is up to you to judge if Malaysia IS one of the SAFEST countries.

Violent crime rates in Malaysia by The Star (click the title)

Those aren't even all of it. How about the three ladies who were hit on their heads by 2 men in Jusco, Cheras Selatan; the lady who was attacked in Mid-Valley; the three snatch thief cases that happened in one day with only an hour gap; and the spikes left on Federal Highway nearby KDU ? Lets not even mention the psychotic criminal who went around throwing acid at people last year (2011) ! Ironic? YES!

I'm sorry, but there is no way I'm believing that Malaysia's crime index has reduced. If it is anything, the cases reported at police stations were ignored or not everyone reported their cases.

Now, with all that said, someone asked me if I think that crime rates correlate with unemployment. Honestly, if I have the stats, I will put it up. But here is what I think.

Crime rate is not only affected by unemployment. Government and citizens play an important role in affecting the crime rate. Honestly, who in Malaysia has not tried to bribe a police officer? Was the police officer bribed? We all know the truthful answer. Police officer holds a job, yet, isn't bribery a form of crime?

And in my opinion, the government could do better. Robbers and snatch thieves, all they want is money. WHY?! Cause everything in Malaysia is expensive. Yet, pay here is low. Lawmakers in Malaysia had recently amend the law saying that minimum wage for foreign workers has to be RM1500 while local workers has to receive a minimum wage of RM900 a month respectively. Let me break it down for you.

A plate of noodle is RM5. We have three meals a day, so that makes it RM15 a day. There is 30 days a month, which adds up to RM450. Rent is about RM400 a month. All that adds up to RM850. How about transportation? Transportation in Malaysia is bad. So, everyone owns at least a motorcycle. RM50 for gas a month isn't enough!

I'm not saying that employers should increase their employees' wages, but the government should really start subsidizing more on food and petrol, improvising public transportation, and control immigrant workers!

That's the government's part. As for the people, we should really stop complaining about the wages. Money is still money, little or a lot. No developed country gained prosperity by robbing and snatching.

So, does crime rate correlate to unemployment, yes, but it also correlates to inflation. People with RM900 a month can barely survive. So how do you want people with no jobs to survive? What more when there's inflation almost every other year??? ROB! SNATCH! KIDNAP! That's their only answer.

Conclusion:
1. Malaysia is the safest country in SE Asia as quoted by News Straits Times, 07 March 2012.
2. Unemployment does affect crime rates
3. Unemployment, Inflation and Crime Rates all correlates
4. Government plays an important role in keeping a country safe

I wanna hear from fellow Malaysians! All week I've been reading articles and all that is said is that Malaysia has a decreasing crime index but when I open newspaper everyday, I see crimes! Not only that, I see dissatisfaction towards the way crimes are being handled! Its your turn to voice out :)