The slaying of two detectives by gunmen recently is a reminder of the sorry state of affairs in the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).

Inspector-general of police Musa Hassan should be more than furious over what is happening - escalating crime that is becoming increasingly uncontrollable, corruption among his men even at the highest levels, inefficiency and now a fatal attack on his own forces. It has been a week now and yet none of the police murderers have been caught, which is enough to speak volumes for its effectiveness. The public confidence in the police force is at its lowest ebb in decades.

We can be sure that they will be in full force on Nov 10, to stop - often brutally - harmless but concerned citizens who will gather peacefully to demand for electoral reforms, organised by the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih).

The death of two trained and experienced policemen is definitely a great loss to the nation especially coming at a time when the country is facing such a high crime rate that is threatening the peace and harmony that we were enjoying all these years. It would be great setback to the efforts of the police to stop the escalating crime.

Whether the unfortunate police raid was conducted properly and what really went wrong is for the PDRM to investigate in a professional manner and take remedial measures to overcome any shortcomings there may be. What is important is not who is at fault but rather what has happened, a very serious crime in the form of a well-planned attack on the police. It is equally important to ask why it occurred. Were the police raids well-planned and coordinated and adequate precautionary measures taken?

It is also timely that to review the protective measures like the use of bullet-proof vests and bulletproof patrol cars. Definitely these will go a long way to reduce the deaths among members of the police force while carrying out their on duties. There should be no hesitation in providing adequate protection for our men in blue however costly it may be. On the contrary, it would be grossly unfair and even negligent to deny them these for whatever reasons.

This fatal attack on the police should be an eye opener for the police force. It is a sign that all is not well as far as public security is concerned. When armed criminals can fatally strike at the police, I dread to imagine what they could do to ordinary citizens. Who would dare come forward to lodge complaints against criminal activities?

The numerous complaints from the public on the fear created by the escalating crime is not unfounded and it is time that the authorities take these grouses very seriously. Not a day passes without some gruesome crime being committed and we wonder what our country is really coming to. We can hardly go anywhere without fear of assault, robbery, rape and even murder.

We have reached a critical state where people are living in fear even within their own homes behind heavily locked doors, grilles, sophisticated alarm systems and security guards. Even being caged in such heavily fortified homes do not appear to guarantee security for them and their families from criminals who seem to be better organised, equipped and even armed.

Our crime-busting authorities must take public complaints very seriously. They must devise ingenious ways and means to counter crime more efficiently and effectively. They must ensure that law and order prevails at all costs, failing which it will only result in thugs taking over the running of the country.