Ministry to set up special panel for crime victims

July 21, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein announced today the setting up of a special committee to handle victims of kidnap and violent crimes, particularly involving children and women.  

Hishammuddin said NGOs would be invited to sit on the special committee. — File picHe said the committee would comprise the police and non-governmental organisations which fit the ministry’s criteria, and be finalised at a meeting next week.   

“We have identified issues such as kidnapping of children and crimes against women at shopping malls, which need to be addressed immediately to reduce the crime rate and reassure the public,” he said.    

He was speaking to reporters after chairing an hour-long meeting on the matter with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohmad Salleh and all Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory police chiefs.    

Meanwhile, he criticised DAP leader Lim Kit Siang for alleging that the Barisan Nasional government had run out of ideas after it issued a statement that Jemaah Islamiah (JI) and communist movement elements had tried to infiltrate the opposition parties, saying it would be a hard fact to deny if it turned out to be true.

Bukit Aman Social Extremist Threat Division chief assistant director E2 (M) Datuk Mohd Sofian Md Makinuddin was reported to have revealed the existence of terrorists from JI and individuals linked to the communist movement attempting to infiltrate opposition parties and trying to become candidates for the coming general election, during his recent lecture on national security at the National Youth Leaders Convention. — Bernama