Crime does not discriminate: Why VIPs are being targeted?

Malaysia’s rising population and rapid growth has given rise to many positive developments for the country.

The country managed to reach its target gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 5.0% in the third quarter last year. Malaysia’s total trade from January to November 2013 rose 3.7% to RM1.247 trillion.

The country also managed to bring in over 3 million tourist last year, an increase of 11.40% from the previous year.

However, like many countries, rapid development is often followed by rising crime.

Official statistics show that there were 4,436 violent cases for the first nine months of 2013. Violent robbery cases including gang and armed robberies was at 15,375 cases. Rape cases was at 2,964 and 478 murder cases. Overall, there were 22,357 incidents of violent crime for the first three-quarter of 2013 or 74.9% of 29,840 such incidents in 2012.

Crime does not discriminate.

There has been a rise in cases reported where VIPs seem to be the target of crime. On June 29th, burglars ransacked the bungalow of Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in Bukit Damansara and escaped with valuables worth RM24,000.

Then in July last year, four masked men armed with machetes, climbed over the gate and robbed former Gelang Patah member of parliament Tan Ah Eng and her family of cash and valuables amounting to RM15,000.

Another case was reported in August last year where four men armed with machetes tied up an auxiliary policeman at about 3.30am and broke into the home of former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Tan Sri Isa Samad in Nilai Spring.

On Dec 16 last year, two men, armed with knives robbed Sarawak Culture and Heritage Assistant Minister Liwan Lagang of his four-wheel-drive vehicle, as he was alighting from the vehicle to buy a newspaper early in the morning.

On Sunday, Education deputy minister II was punched by a Umno Hulu Selangor member who is also a teacher over some miscommunication on school transfer issue. The incident happened at Umno Youth meeting in Hulu Selangor.

Are VIPs being targeted?

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tun Hanif Omar believed that these individuals were not targeted.

“I don’t think they are targeting the VIPs and Ministers, there are so many other people who are also victims of crime.

“Just because a few ministers were victims is not an indicative, we need to put these crimes into context,” he said in a phone interview with Astro Awani.

Ex-IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan agreed and said that these crimes are based on opportunity.

“I don’t think they are targeting VIPs, if these criminals have the opportunity to carry out an offence, they do not care who their victim is,”

Criminologist Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat managed to give Astro AWANI an insight into the minds of these criminals.

“One it could be because of revenge or it could be as a way to threaten the authorities, and finally it could be because of frustration,” she said.

She explained that most of the VIPs represent an organisation or body which the criminals have something against and that they see that VIP as the forefront for the whole organisation.

Another reason could be that they want to threaten the authorities that they should conduct themselves better or else they will be next, she said.

This relates to frustration, where these criminals have had contact with the said VIP or their organisation with a complaint or request, and their voices were not heard.

This has also led to some calling for more protection for the VIPs.

However, Hanif said it was not necessary and that the matter should be left to the police to decide if more protection is needed.

“There is no need for extra protection, if everybody has a bodyguard this will cost the nation a lot of money,” he said laughing.

Musa also suggested that if these VIPs want extra protection it should come from their own pocket.

“There are a number of private securities around, they cannot just depend on the police because the police are stretched enough already,” he said.

Dr Geshina concured with the two former IGPs and added that if a minister or a VIP, as a public figure they should be approachable, but with too many bodyguards this will create a separation between them and the people.

However, she pointed out that everyone has the right to defend themselves and these VIPs should learn to safeguard themselves.