The police have been criticised for allegedly hiding behind racial or political rhetoric to "cover up their stigma of sheer incompetence, indifference and inability to combat criminals."

In a letter to Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said:

"Such outrageous remarks, coupled with blaming the Chinese press for giving extensive coverage to crime to cover up the police's failure to seriously address the alarming crime situation in Johor Baru, has inflamed public sentiment.

"Unfortunately the 'crime situation should not be politicised and racialised' remarks were echoed by Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman and Johor MCA chief Dr Chua Soi Lek."

Lim added that "no sane person" can understand how the police's "incompetence, indifference and inability" to stop crime can be racialised and politicised when the victims and criminals come from all races and religions.

He then went on to cite several crime cases involving other races, including the recent murder of Syed Herie Azimi Syed Kassim, 25, and his 24-year-old pregnant wife Aniza Ayob in Seremban

"The public who oppose such irresponsible remarks by the Johor MB and Chua can punish them for being blind and deaf to their fears and sufferings by exercising their democratic rights.

"However, no such action is possible against errant police officers. Is this the type of work performance expected by the public after paying RM8 billion extra a year for the civil servants' pay rise?" he asked.

Prejudiced mindset

Lim said it was wrong and unfair to blame the Chinese press for highlighting crime when other newspapers have also provided extensive coverage regarding this.

"Clearly police officers having this prejudiced mindset against the Chinese press, demonstrates the failure of the police to respect freedom of the press and the right to freedom of information by the public.

"Such police officers should be removed from the crime prevention unit as it impairs their ability to perform their duties effectively," he said.

Lim said DAP supports the additional funds of RM330 million for 2,000 new personnel and hardware to fight crime, including 500 more mobile patrol units, which will ensure a response time of 15 minutes or less.

He also commended the unprecedented attempt by the police to rent 15 shoplots in crime-prone areas in Johor Baru.

However, he said this is not enough as long as there is no change in police attitudes towards public complaints and reports of crime.

Three proposals

Lim also cited three proposals to restore public confidence in the police.

"As a first step, DAP urges the government to establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC)," he said.

The IPCMC, he added, is required to check police abuses and improve police integrity and performance so that the people in Johor and Malaysia can live in a safe environment.

"Two, the government must be prepared to set out RM5 billion in emergency allocations to form a fighting police force that is competent, courageous, sensitive and committed to fighting criminals," he said.

The people have a basic right to a crime free environment as taxes have been paid to form an effective police force, he added.

Third, he said, Musa should publicly apologise for failing to stop the rampant crimes in Johor.

"On June 2, the IGP announced that Johor's crime rate dropped by nearly eight percent in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year. Would the rape and robbery victims believe that?

"Women in Johor are living in a state of fear from snatch thefts, robbery and rape. Unfortunately, the police continues to be in a state of denial," he said.