Article contributed by Anusha Gopala Krishnan, Officer, Safer Malaysia Committee, and photos by Sarah Kambali, Member of the Bar
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (“UniSZA”) invited the Bar Council Safer Malaysia Committee (“Safer Malaysia”) to discuss the prospect of a collaboration between the two, and the implementation of the Safer Malaysia programme in schools in Terengganu. Among the members of Safer Malaysia that attended the meeting were Darren Lai, David Lim, Fong Peng Lim, Richard Wee Thiam Seng, Saha Deva and Sarah Kambali. The representatives from UniSZA were the Dean of Law Faculty, Prof Dr Zuhairah Ariff bt Abd Ghadas; Prof Dato’ Dr Hussin @ Mohamad Ab Rahman; Prof Dr Fachri Bey; Murshamshul Kamariah Binti Musa as well as a group of UniSZA’s students led by Tung Tze Tzing.
Richard Wee Thiam Seng presented a brief overview of the objectives and aims of Safer Malaysia before introducing the key aspects of crime-fighting, ie vigilance, deterrence and prevention.
A discussion on the crime rates in Kuala Terengganu dominated the session because it was important for Safer Malaysia members to understand the types of crimes in Kuala Terengganu to tailor the Safer Malaysia module accordingly.
According to Prof Dr Zuhairah Ariff, illegal street racing is rampant throughout the state and this activity leads to other criminal acts. Therefore, it is important that illegal street racing be curbed immediately.
The Safer Malaysia project is an ongoing one that continues to grow with constant support from society. It is hoped that the project will continue to raise the public’s awareness on crime prevention.