NCJ Number
43809
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
TRENDS IN VIOLENT CRIME IN MALAYSIA ARE REVIEWED, AND LEGISLATIVE, PUBLIC MOBILIZATION, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AIMED AT CONTROLLING CRIME ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
FROM 1970 THROUGH 1973 THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA. NEVERTHELESS, UNEMPLOYMENT, RACIAL ECONOMIC IMBALANCE, AND INCOME DISPARITIES BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL SECTORS PERSIST. THERE HAS BEEN A MOVEMENT TOWARD URBANIZATION AND TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROOTLESS, MOBILE COMMUNITIES. MANY FRUSTRATED YOUTHS HAVE TURNED TO DRUGS AND CRIME. THE INCIDENCE OF VIOLENT CRIME IN MALAYSIA INCREASED CONSIDERABLY BETWEEN 1973 AND 1975. APPROXIMATELY 85 PERCENT OF THE VIOLENT CRIMES ARE COMMITTED BY MEMBERS OF SECRET SOCIETIES, WHICH ARE WELL EQUIPPED WITH FIREARMS SMUGGLED INTO MALAYSIA AFTER THE VIETNAM WAR. LEGISLATION MAKING TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS AND ILLEGALLY USING AND MANUFACTURING ARMS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH HAS NOT RESULTED IN A REDUCTION OF VIOLENT CRIMES. LEGALLY SANCTIONED NEIGHBORHOOD 'VIGILANT PATROLS' AND THE REQUIREMENT THAT ALL MALES REGISTER FOR PATROL DUTY HAVE PROVED MORE SUCCESSFUL. LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES HAVE INCLUDED THE RECRUITMENT OF PART-TIME 'VOLUNTEER' POLICEMEN AND THE STATIONING AND QUARTERING OF POLICE OFFICERS IN THE VILLAGES AND NEIGHBORHOODS THEY SERVE. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT MALAYSIA'S 1:700 POLICEMAN-POPULATION RATIO IS MISLEADING, BECAUSE NEARLY HALF OF THE POLICE FORCE IS DEPLOYED IN FIELD OPERATIONS AGAINST COMMUNIST TERRORISTS.