There is serious concern about the growing crime rate in the country, especially in urban areas. While there are many reasons for this increase, many tend to blame the lack of police personnel and inadequate police patrolling as major factors for this. Tan Sri Robert Phang Miow Sin, an exco member of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF), believes that while increasing the police force is a step in the right direction, things will not change overnight. Citizens and the community also have to recognise their responsibility and role in fighting crime.

Tan Sri Phang was speaking to about 800 people at a forum on crime prevention organised by SGM with the support of MCPF on April 6, 2008 at the Ikeda Peace Auditorium in SGM Culture Centre, Cheras. The forum, chaired by SGM Vice-President Lee Kok Kheng, was held to raise awareness on the role of individuals and communities in fighting crime. It was also one of the highlights of the SGM Kuala Lumpur family day.

During the one-hour forum, Tan Sri Robert Phang, a well-known social worker and philanthropist, gave various suggestions on how everyone could implement preventive measures. Tan Sri emphasised the importance of being vigilant as the first step towards preventing crime. A careless attitude increases one’s risk of being a victim of crime.

The audience will also remember Tan Sri’s persuasive call for the use of a personal safety whistle as a low-cost and effective way of fighting crime. The idea of using a whistle was inspired by the game of football. The high pitch of the referee’s whistle is never drowned by the noisy environment at the stadium. The blowing of the whistle always commands attention from the players. Tan Sri suggested that everyone should wear a whistle like the referee in the football match, as one can never know for sure when crime will take place. According to Tan Sri, the strength of the whistle will increase manifold if there is widespread use within the community. For instance, instead of shouting “Thief!” or “Help!” a victim of snatch theft can blow the whistle and attract more attention. People in the vicinity with whistles can start blowing and attract even more attention to the crime scene. In this way, the thief would most likely be thwarted in the attempt to escape.

The crowd’s enthusiasm in wanting to do something to fight crime was evident during the questions and answers session. Questions ranging from crimes in schools to the role of young people in fighting crime were raised. After the forum has ended, the audiences were seen crowding around the MCPF counter – to buy their whistle. Some bought as many as five whistles, saying that they will be giving them to their family members and neighbours.

MCPF was established in 1993 as a non-profit organisation, and is a chapter of the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation (ACPF), based in Tokyo, Japan. The objective of MCPF is to promote awareness in crime prevention at all times. In addition to getting public participation in crime prevention efforts, MCPF contribute to the enhancement of effective measures for crime prevention and rehabilitation of offenders.