I'd like to highlight the concern of all my fellow citizens regarding the deteriorating public security situation in the country. It has become a 'norm' to hear of mothers, ladies becoming victims of snatch thieves and robberies. It is also become very common to hear of friends and neighbours whose houses has been broken into and cars stolen from right in front of the houses.

The big question is what is the authorities are doing about the situation? There are not enough measures being planned or being taken to curb the growing crime rate. The public is on the edge of losing confidence as evidenced by certain residents taking the law into their own hands when they catch the culprits.

I do not blame them. The crime rate is already at an intolerable level and there is no sense of security in housing neighbourhoods, in and around shopping complexes, at the public parks and on the streets.

The prime minister is too busy with his daily routine and his political career to even look at the basic needs of the man on the street. All the politicians have bodyguards - thanks to the taxpayer - and they forget the man on the street is facing another war with crime in addition to coping with economic hardships.

I would suggest some strong measures be taken to improve the situation. New laws should be introduced to make all law enforcers (police personnel, soldiers, immigration staff, local government enforcement personnel etc.) face higher penalties for committing crimes. After all, law enforcers are suppose to be protecting public security.

This should apply to private security guards and their companies. If these enforcers cannot protect the public, then they should at least be deterred from committing crime in the name of the law.

Expenditure on the installation of surveillance cameras in residential and commercial areas should be stepped up to deter and improve crime prevention in the urban centres. Some efforts have been made in this area but the amount is small and grossly inadequate. What is the point of spending huge amount of taxpayers' monies on bio-tech, fanciful projects and such when the basic public security and livelihood cannot be reasonably secured?

The police should form teams of personnel to help residents organise their security. All residential areas should be encouraged to develop a 'closed and secured' area or a gated community. The authorities should be more receptive to ideas and help residents build gated communities especially in the older housing estates.

The authorities should come up with bold plans on how to reduce crime with key performance indices. These KPIs should be reviewed yearly and corrective action taken to rectify any shortcomings. We expect the inspector-general of police to be more visible and we would like to hear what he has done to improve the situation. If he cannot deliver, he should make way for a tougher and more effective leader.