Malaysia has become a hotbed of crime, with no one being safe. Even as we extol the virtues of our newly branded 'Islamic' nation and the many superior 'Asian' cultural norms that we have in advantage over 'decaying' western societies, our women continue to be raped , our reporters continue to be slashed and our homes continue to be ransacked.

Every single day, we are assaulted with reports of ghastly rape, incest, murder, gangland activities, robberies and a host of other forms of violence. Nowhere is the police seen, except to clear bodies at the scene of the crime and make that all familiar comment: that the case is under investigation.

Paradoxically, we see the rapid emergence of the police when the All Action Women's Society of Malaysia (Awam) and their likes hold peaceful gatherings in protest against violence.

Just what the police is playing to, remains anyone's mystery. Perhaps they are playing to a time and space when we have no choice but to summon the laws of hudud, or when ordinary Malaysians will take matters into their own hands and advocate a brand of law enforcement that includes lynching law breakers and such.

Perhaps still, they are sending a message to Malaysians, that we need the present government and its stability to keep them safe from crime.

Whatever the reason, Malaysia is no more a safe country. Lawlessness is now a norm, and no amount of advertising on the country's so-called 'tranquility and peace' can prove otherwise. This, yet again, will remain the pervading stench of Mahathir's legacy.