IT’S high time the Government acts tough on criminals and Mat Rempits. With the crime rate up 13% and more incidences of Mat Rempit rampaging on the streets, the time for diplomacy and counselling is way past their usefulness.

First, the police should come down hard on small offenders such as shoplifters. It is understood that some people enjoy committing crimes out of self-gratification; they then progress to bigger crimes such as armed robbery, rape and murder.

What can we do?

For starters, we can follow the three-strike systems that certain states/countries are using to discourage crime. A person committing a crime that attracts a prison sentence for the third time will be in the slammer for a long time (10 to 20 years). This will deter many people from becoming snatch thieves or shoplifters.

Some will argue that we would soon run out of prison space if we were to implement such a system. If we need to build more prisons, so be it.

It is better for our present generation to suffer in the short term to help reduce crime and preserve the next generation.

This will make our youths think twice or many times over before they ease into the world of crime.

Second, we should increase the presence of police personnel on the streets so as to deter criminals.

Finally, Malaysians out there should watch out for each other. Get to know your neighbours and always be watchful. It’s better to err on the wrong side of caution and get the police in than to close an eye and allow a crime to happen.

ALEX,
Nilai, Negri Sembilan.

Source: The Star – January 11, 2008