Govt concerned over crime rate in the country

"This is also the concern of every Malaysian and we have to do something about it," Anifah told about 100 Malaysians at a Q & A session at the Malaysian consulate here. It was also attended by the Malaysian High Commissioner in Australia, Datuk Salman Ahmad, and the Consul General here, Dr Mohd Rameez Yahaya.

Anifah said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is taking issue seriously and had instructed the home minister and the inspector-general of police to come up with a strategy to combat the menace.

He said the government was working with neighbouring countries to monitor the movement of criminals because they often disappeared to another country after committing a felony.

"Fighting crime is an ongoing process but we are doing our best," he said.

The minister was replying to PricewaterhouseCoopers auditor Praveen Nagappan who said he had thoughts of returning to Malaysia to work but was alarmed at the country's crime rate and feared for the safety of his family.

Anifah said education was an important tool to prevent young people from turning to crime. "Most young offenders come from broken homes and this is a worry."

He also said that police salaries had increased to curb corruption and boost morale among the force. The government was also improving the welfare of police families.

To a question from lecturer Dr Chooi S Beh regarding pilots and nurses who were unable to find jobs in Malaysia, Anifah said nurses were needed in rural areas but they refused to leave the city. "Sarawak and Sabah urgently need nurses but these jobs are in rural places. So there are jobs, it's up to the nurses to take them," he said.

As for jobless pilots, Anifah said that because of the downturn in the aviation industry, pilots, especially young pilots, were grounded.

There also appeared to be an oversupply of pilots, so youngsters should inquire about the availability of work before trying to get their wings, he said.

"It costs more than RM250,000 to train as a pilot, so the first step is to make sure there are jobs," Anifah said.

When it was suggested by a young attendee that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat be given a chance to run the country, Anifah: "We have two leaders. One, when overseas, promotes Malaysia, meets world leaders, tries to attract investors, champions good causes and highlights our progress and achievements etc.

"The other goes abroad and condemns Malaysian leaders, says nasty things about our political system, says we are corrupt, discourages investments to Malaysia.