Detailed statistics, more changes needed to cut crime, says DAP
UPDATED @ 01:30:37 PM 20-07-2012
KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 — Putrajaya must be transparent about crime statistics and real changes in policing in order to improve public perception and confidence in security and safety, the DAP’s Tony Pua said today.
The DAP national publicity chief said the Home Ministry had yet to divulge detailed statistics on crime, broken down by types according to various districts across the country, despite repeated requests in and out of Parliament.
“One of the biggest problems is that the police are concealing real statistics and releasing only feel-good information, then nobody is going to trust selective statistics given by police, PEMANDU and the Home Ministry,” Pua (picture) told a press conference here.
“Don’t give feel-good factor statistics, and refuse to give us detailed crime statistics,” he said.
The Petaling Jaya Utara MP also disagreed with Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s statement yesterday that the public’s “perception” of security was more important than the actual crime rate.
“Any change in perception will not come from ‘feel-good statistics’ but from being entirely transparent with crime statistics and ensuring real changes on the ground,” Pua said.
His colleague, Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh, said it was also important for the authorities to release the “type of crime committed” for public awareness.
“We are no longer talking about perception but real crime. They should publish real statistics so the public will know what sort of weapons or methods was used (by perpetrators),” she said.
Pua agreed with her, saying this would allow the public to take preventive measures when visiting crime hotspots.
“It is important so they can avoid that specific area or if they have to go there, they can take preventive action,” he said.
He urged the government to come clean and immediately publish detailed crime statistics on a monthly basis, categorised by types of crime, by month and districts and make them available on government websites.
“If the police cannot ensure the people’s safety, the public should at least be allowed to take necessary precautions by knowing which areas are hotspots, and what type of crimes commonly occur,” he said.
“They (the authorities) must be completely transparent in crime data. Although the baseline may not been good now, but they will achieve people’s confidence in future.”
