Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang and eight DAP MPs today submitted a memorandum to IGP Mohd Bakri Omar with recommendations on addressing the rising crime situation in Malaysia and raising the profile of the police force.

The three-page memorandum stated that the police force should strive to become a "world class" one by improving all aspects of its service, administration, training and welfare of personnel.

It noted, however, that Parliament was informed that the current number of police officers - standing at 80,848 - was insufficient in relation to the country's population of some 25 million.

During the meeting, the MPs suggested increasing the intake of female officers to at least 30 percent of the force, as they currently only make up 8 percent.

Their memorandum sought reasons for the low number of non-Malay officers and said ways should be found to resolve the situation, while suggesting that funding and logistics be enhanced to tackle terrorism and drug trafficking among other crimes.

"If officers don't even have proper shoes, weapons and vehicles that are as good as those used by criminals, their morale would be affected," it said.

The document obsered that police lock-ups, detention centres, jails and the Kamunting Detention Camp must adhere to the Lockup Rules 1953, Prison Regulations and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

'Involve the public'

Contacted for details, Lim said the national ratio of police to people is 1:300 but that the gap is much wider in urban areas that are more crime prone. For instance, the ratio in Pasir Pinji near Ipoh stands at 1:3,000, and in Subang Jaya, at 1:10,000.

"In New York and London, the number of police personnel keep in tandem with the crime situation, meaning there are more police personnel in areas with a higher crime rate. In Malaysia it is the opposite," said Lim, who is also DAP national chairperson.

The DAP also expressedconcern over the worsening public safety index and suggested that it is now necessary to involve the public in matters of policing.

"To ensure public awareness, we should implement a 'policing plan', which would involve the consultation and participation of the public and civil society groups at local and national level," he said.

This would have to be a collaborative effort between the public and police to target specific issues, such as how to identify 'black' areas (with high crime rates).

The DAP members who attended the meeting were Tan Seng Giaw, M Kulasegaren, Chong Eng, Teresa Kok, Fong Poh Kuan, Fong Kui Lun, Chan Kon Yeow, and Lim Hock Seng. Also present was Deputy IGP Mohd Sedek Mohd Ali.

On a related matter, Lim said the police chief would not be able to attend the forum entitled 'War on Crime', being organised by DAP in Kuala Lumpur today.

"The IGP said he has other appointments. However, we are hoping that the police will send a representative of high authority to speak at the forum," he added.