"It is a fact that Malaysians are cynical of the statistics put out by the government. Although the government has been at pains to argue that there is a declining trend in crime, the man in the street does not believe the government. The average Ali, Siva and Chong is even more agitated when the government blames the issue of escalating crime on public perception and blown-up media accounts.
The truth is that our government friendly media are underreporting rather than over-reporting on crime and violence. Let’s be frank and admit that the official statistics on crime, especially petty crime, are unreliable.
Unlike the statistics collected by the Department of Statistics, police statistics are generated by front line personnel who have a vested interest in underreporting. Everyone knows that police personnel have every incentive to avoid extra work through understating crime incidence. They also do not want to give a bad name to the police district if they can help it. Under-recording of actual cases of crime is very much the norm in most police stations..."
More:
CPI: Why police are impotent in dealing with growing crime by Dr. Lim Teck Ghee
I wish to add that when caught, as is common in traffic offences, we are just as guilty if we feel it is easier and cheaper to settle the offence on the spot. A friend once put it very nicely for both offender and police by suggesting to the policeman, 'I am guilty and I want to pay the fine, can I pay it to you to save the trouble of paying at the police station?'
I am sure most of us would agree that to the policeman, unless he is a very disciplined and principled one, it is so much easier and gainful for him to settle the matter off the record. It saves him the trouble of having to write out the summons and more so, not having to appear in court later if the offender decided to take him on instead of paying the official compounded sum.
But to be fair, in a recent robbery and assault case in Section 14, PJ, the policemen had proven they are taking the public's criticisms seriously by being extra helpful in helping a victim:
"10.50pm
Five minutes after we had made the report, 3 police cars arrived the scene of crime. Kudos to the instant response. .."
Five minutes after we had made the report, 3 police cars arrived the scene of crime. Kudos to the instant response. .."
"Furthermore, I was prepared to send Ms. Chong to the hospital, but the policemen volunteered to take her while another car stayed back until Mrs. Chong and daughter got home safely. They also helped patch up the broken window with plastic to prevent water going through. They finally left almost 1am. Thank you PDRM!"
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