SOCIAL ILLS – WHERE WE WENT WRONG?

By Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria


INTRODUCTION

I take this opportunity to congratulate the PM over many new initiatives which the Federal Government is taking such as the 1Malaysia concept and for the commitment in formulating a new economic approach for Malaysia. I would also like to thank the Prime Minister in his capacity as Finance Minister for inviting me to be a discussant to the paper presented by Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye on this topic of Social Ills – Where we went wrong?

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thy in his paper has identified seven critical concerns on the one hand and at the same time has made some specific recommendations with regards to addressing social ills by reviewing the National Social Policy and in formulating the safe neighborhood/community initiative. His analysis addresses both micro level concerns at the individual and family level, as well as societal dimensions which are relevant to socio-economic development aspects.

I would like to further enhance this analysis and build on the strategies advocated by Tan Sri Lee by drawing attention to a more critical analysis of social ills and crime prevention in Malaysian society.

There are three main points I would like to develop in my analysis and propose several specific recommendations for consideration in the 2010 Budget.

The first is on taking a tough stand and action on crime by strengthening Police capacity in solving crime and bringing the perpetrators of crime to open trial.

The second is in enhancing the potential of community Policing by adopting a wining of ‘hearts and minds strategy’ and thereby winning the good will of the people

The third dimension is addressing the root causes of crime and social ills in Malaysian society. This is at the heart of a crime prevention strategy as creating a more inclusive society for those feeling alienated such as the urban poor and low income families in high risk neighborhoods is most urgent.


STRENGTHENING POLICE INVESTIGATIONS

The Federal Government has been providing increased funding since the release of the Royal Police commission report (2005) in addressing the lack of facilities, equipments, vehicles and infrastructure requirements of the Police force.
Malaysian Police has developed good forensic investigative teams at Bukit Aman with some well qualified Police officers who are well equipped in this area. However the number of such Police officers is inadequate in solve the rising crime situation in Malaysia.

Therefore, this aspect of making a greater allocation to enhance and strengthen Police investigations must be given due consideration in the 2010 budget. The urgent need if for capacity building to enhance Police potential in evidence based investigations.

Problems Pertaining to Police Investigations

Number of Police officers directly involved in crime investigations are limited as the investigation files per investigating officers seem high especially those involved in serious crime for them to do justice to all the cases. Community unhappiness centres around no action or very slow action.

There is a capability defect in investigations as there is an over reliance upon confessions and eye witness testimony rather than use of scientific and forensic based investigations

There is an over reliance on preventive detention such as the Emergency Ordinance for serious crimes especially gang related activities. Such action can only prevent crime for a short period. It does not provide adequate justice to the victims.

Furthermore preventive detentions are a violation of human rights as the individuals do not have the opportunity to defend themselves as in an open court system. There are many accusations from the detainees that they have been victimized.

Some Pointers for Budgetary Considerations

There is a need to set new targets in ensuring crime solving. The percentage of serious crime cases being solved by bringing the perpetrators of crime to trial must be set at a much higher benchmark. Solving crime is a major area of public concern.

There is a need to increase Police funding for employment of additional investigating officers at the district levels especially a much higher number in high risk districts.

There is also a need to encourage the employment of civilians who have competencies in certain disciplines such as chemistry, forensic science, computers, psychology, sociology, law, tax and accounting knowledge. These civilian professions can play a complementary role along side Police officers. These teams must be present at every Police district.

Undertake intensive training using foreign experts in evidence based Police investigations. The capacity and capability dimensions need further strengthening. Capacity building of supervising investigating officers is most critical and increased funding for overseas exposure and training must be encouraged. More funds must be made available for this purpose including increasing salaries for investigating officers and supervisors.

Early involvement of public prosecutors in strengthening Police investigations or employment of law graduates to serve under the command of the IGP to enhance evidence based investigations.

Reduce reliance of use of preventive laws for serious crime with the repeal of Emergence Ordinance and eventual closure of detention centers such as Simpang Rengam. Some time frame (example over the next two years) should be set for the phasing out of all the EO and Restricted Residence cases.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY POLICING

Malaysian Police has undertaken many innovative programmes to enhance community awareness on crime prevention and created new structures for community participation such as ‘Rakan Cop’. In addition the National Unity Department’s neighborhood watch teams (Rukun Tetangga) are also playing a renewed role.

These initiatives must be strengthened to enhance greater local community and private sector involvement alongside the Police. Specific budgetary allocations must be made to organizations such as MCPF in order for them will further mobilize active community involvement.

Organising Urban neighborhoods

In urban community organizing in contrast to rural communities there is a lack of institutional development of local communities. In the rural areas there are structures such as the JKKKK with a clearly definable structure with responsible local people holding office.

However in the urban neighborhoods there is a multiplicity of structures for example the Residents Associations (RA) which is the officially recognized structure by the Local Authorities. There is also the Rukun Tetangga which is a federally funded programme. There is a need to have a clearer community structure that will serve as an effective link with the relevant authorities. One way forward is to enlarge the outreach of the RT to include every urban community and increase cooperation between RA and RTs. In order to execute this there will be a need for increased funding for this purpose.

Re-establish Social Referral Centres

In addition I would propose that the Federal Government review its decision and re-establish the Social Referral Centers (Pusat Rujukan Sosial) which was established in high risk neighborhoods to strengthen community networking. Government decided to discontinue this programme as there were problems in its implementation.
However such centres would enhance community networking and participation in crime prevention. This could become a coordinated programme under the Department of National Unity with the RTs in cooperation with the Police and with the support of MCPF to enhance community and private sector involvement.

Addressing Police Abuse as a strategy to strengthen Community Policing

Another area of major concern and often a point of conflict with the Police is the urgent need for addressing the accusations of Police abuse and excessive use of force. The Royal Police Commission report and Suhakam inquiries has clearly documented problems such as death in custody, death by Police shooting, Police brutality, abuse of arrest and remand powers and accusations of corruption and abuse of power. One must note that such accusations on the Police and violations committed by the Police are not just problems in Malaysia alone, but are major areas of concern in many countries including developed countries.

These incidences and lack of independent verifications of these accusations is
undermining Police authority and eroding public confidence.

The essential governing indicators for good police governance are transparent, credible and independent mechanisms to verify these accusations. There must be no cover up to bad policing as this will create ‘seed beds of discontentment and rebellion’. The Police officer must be seen by all communities as a trusted and respected friend.

In this context I would propose that the 2010 budget makes provisions to strengthen internal investigations by establishing a special elite Police unit to replace the current unit. In addition for the establishment of an independent oversight body which was recommended by the Royal Police Commission in 1995 is a must and adequate funding must be made available for the establishment of it.

There is also an urgent need for Police training to give strong emphasis on the values and principles of good policing especially in respecting and protecting human rights. There must be zero tolerance for bad Policing within the Police force. The fostering of a good police governance culture is essential. Strengthening Police discipline from within through effective supervision is essential.

Public Relations Programme

The Police must undertake a very dynamic public relations programme to enhance their image that they are the neighborhood friend whom all can trust irrespective of race, religion, gender, age or socio-economic standing. There must also develop soft approaches in relating to community groups and be better equipped in ‘conflict management’ and diffusing conflict. Adopting a winning of ‘hearts and minds’ strategy as the Police did in gaining community support over the communist during the emergency period in Malaya should be reapplied in winning sections of the community who feel their communities are racially profiled or stereotyped.

ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME

Social scientists have documented the close correlations between crime and urban poverty. Rapid rural- urban migration has had a tremendous impact on the social structures of our society. The social support and social control systems provided by traditional and rural communities had been tremendously impacted by rapid urbanization and modernization especially in urban poor and low cost living neighborhoods where there is a high density of the population. Many of these neighborhoods are also designated as high risk crime locations and where there are even many incidence of social conflict among the various communities.

In addition to the structural concerns stated above the families living within low cost flats, long houses and squatters are impacted by urban work patterns. These include shift and overtime work, both parents working, low income jobs without a minimum wage system, part-time or home based work without workers benefits and protection have dramatically impacted upon family living, husband-wife relations and child upbringing.

Children and young people from such neighborhood are at a higher risk for gang related, anti social behavior due to the lack of parental, family and community support. Studies also show that educationally under achieving children and educationally low performing children in school are at higher risk to crime, gang and anti-social behavior. Children who have difficulties in mastering the basic skills such as reading, writing, counting and socializing including basic language competencies especially in Bahasa Malaysia and English also manifesting behavioral problems in secondary schools. This challenging behavior is more prominent among male students.

Reviewing the National Social Policy & Social Initiatives

Tan Sri Lee has rightly called for the review of the National Social Policy. This is timely as there has been some neglect in this area of ensuring balanced development where economic and social development are essential components. Along with this there is a need to also review the progress made in the implementation of the Social Impact Assessment as well as measuring the performance of the National Social Institute. When these policies, strategies and programmes were introduced they were under the Ministry for National Unity and Social Development however since 2004 this Ministry has had many changes and therefore a review is essential to redirect the resources to its original focus.

Reintroducing an Integrated Intervention Programme

In a similar way the Federal Government must review the PINTAS programmes which was the main integrated comprehensive intervention strategy adopted in the Eight Malaysia Plan but discontinued in the Ninth Malaysia Plan. However the analysis, strategies and models developed under this programme is still valid. The published reports and researchers are still around. There is no need to reinvent the cycle of research but a revisit and reintroduction would be helpful.

Instituting Social Inclusion Initiatives

There are sections within the urban and rural communities who feel a sense of alienation and marginalization from the delivery agencies and implementing bodies. Some of the factors could be lack of awareness, lack of accessibility, wrong perceptions and in some cases even indifference. However it is of utmost importance that all sections of our community whether they are urban poor Malays or urban poor Indians/displaced plantation workers or forest based indigenous communities (Orang Asli & natives of Sabah & Sarawak) have access to public sector social development services (education, health care, housing, business training and micro credit loans) there is an urgent need to create bridges to reach out to these community through a social inclusion strategy.

Anti social manifestations such as drug dependence including alcohol abuse among sections of urban poor Indians and non Muslim indigenous and related martial and inter-personal conflicts is at the heart of many a social ill which needs urgent intervention.

The Federal Government should consider establishing a Social Inclusion Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department which will serve as a monitoring and coordinating unit. A team of academics and professionals from University based research institutions and civil society personal could be mobilized to study the challenges, issues and concerns of these sub communities. Why do they feel a sense of exclusion and alienation? Why are they unable to access the services provided by the social sector agencies? This unit can make specific recommendations and suggestions pertaining to remedying the situation. This team could also organize social dialogues with community groups who have problems of access especially to social development programmes.

The establishment of the Academy of Social Science could also be a step forward in enhancing the potential and contributions of social scientist for wholistic national development. The social experts are currently at local universities and research institutes and therefore they can be commissioned to address these action research concerns for policy implications.

It is also imperative that at the district levels that there be greater cooperation among the social sector agencies. At the national level the Federal Government has established the Cabinet committees however at the grass roots there needs to be greater collaboration in targeting, undertaking a holistic approach to social diagnosis and social intervention. These teams must be inter-agencies, inter disciplinary and also multi racial teams. No Malaysian should feel that they cannot access and participate on account of race, religion or gender. Federal Government funds allocated to the various agencies and department must be better coordinated at the grass roots to make maximum impact. The outreach must be more comprehensive and levels of discontentment must be reduced especially from among sections of the poor, low income communities both at the rural and urban areas.

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Thoughts shared at the 2010 Budget Consultation, chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia on June 9, 2009 at Putrajaya. Views expressed in this paper are his personal views and does not necessarily represent the views of the organizations he is part of.