My sympathy goes to the family of the late Ms Canny Ong. The cruelty to her was devastating and a truly barbaric act in its worst manifestation.

The police should be commended for their professional actions in this case. Their ability to nab the prime suspect within a relatively short time frame is certainly remarkable.

However, I believe Canny's case is not the first of its kind in Malaysia. There has been some other cases that are similar though not identical prior to this.

While the latest brouhaha has resulted in the calling for complexes to install closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) and women to take up self defence classes, I am however of the opinion that something more drastic than this should be considered.

If the term 'affirmative action' is the 'in' thing these days, then it should be appropriately applied here. I think its time we should review our laws and criminal code. Stiffer punishment, including mandatory whipping and even death sentence, should be considered.

I know I may sound rather brutal but the fact is, a desperate situation requires a desperate remedy. Let's not focus too much on the human rights of the criminal that we forget the crime.

Ask any family member of the victim. I am sure that after the agony they have been through, they will concur that drastic punitive action is indeed needed.

The day of reckoning is here and firm action must be taken so that Canny Ong and other victims do not die in vain.