Article contributed by Anusha Gopala Krishnan, Officer, Safer Malaysia Committee, and photos by Mark Soh Hock Meng, Co-Deputy Chairperson, Safer Malaysia Committee
The Safer Malaysia Committee, in collaboration with the Perlis Bar, co-organised a forum entitled “Towards a Safer Malaysia” on 19 Dec 2014 at Terinai Lakeview Resorts, Kangar, Perlis. The panellists were Richard Wee, Co-Chairperson of Safer Malaysia Committee; and Saha Deva A Arunasalam and Mark Soh Hock Meng, Co-Deputy Chairpersons of Safer Malaysia Committee. The forum was attended by members of the Perlis Bar, and representatives of the Royal Malaysia Police, Royal Malaysian Customs Department and universities.
The panellists started the forum by providing the participants with a brief overview on the objectives and aims of the Safer Malaysia Committee and the Safer Malaysia programme. Following that, the element of crime was discussed from its social, criminological and legal aspects. The speakers each expressed their views on crime, based on their individual area of expertise which led to the forum being very lively and engaging.
Shortly after the forum concluded, the speakers conducted a mini Safer Malaysia workshop, led by the Co-Deputy Chairperson of Safer Malaysia Committee. In this session, participants were introduced to the Committee’s key elements of crime solution, namely vigilance, deterrence and prevention.
The speakers conducted a few exercises to demonstrate the importance of being alert at all times. Amongst the exercises were identification skills to improve participants’ powers of observation. The entire session was an engaging experience as the facilitators garnered the attention and the support of the participants. The Committee believes that the workshop was an eye opener to many attendees, and the audience will now view crime in a different light and realise the importance of preventing crime as it impacts the quality of life.
The Perlis Bar expressed great interest in the Safer Malaysia programme and is willing to assist the Committee in achieving the common goal of creating a safer Malaysia.