The police must recognise and put a stop to the 'fear of crime' that has gripped Johor Bahru and many parts of the country, said Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang.

"Let Johor Bharu be a national test case whether it is possible to wipe out the fear of crime which is haunting the daily life of the people of the city or the fear of crime will worsen and spread to other parts of the country with the police losing the long-term war against crime," he said in a statement today.

Lim said that up until 20 years ago, the "fear of crime never existed" in Johor Bahru and in most parts of the country.

He claimed that the authorities had failed to keep abreast with the rapid socio-economic developments and changes in metropolitan areas where residents become victims of crime and the 'fear of crime'.

"Johor Bahru outranks all the other urban centres in the country as the capital of crime where fear of crime haunting the daily lives of its residents is most palpable like a permanent haze in the city's air," he added.

Public hearings

Of late, the crime wave in Johor Bahru had prompted public outcry and demands for immediate steps to arrest the problem which culminated in a demonstration being held in front of the Johor Menteri Besar's official residence.

Following this, the government announced the deployment of 400 additional police personel along with 200 new police vehicles in the state.

Lim also announced that there would be a public hearing by the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance on 'Fight Rising Crime' in Johor Bahru tomorrow at 2.30pm at the Tropical Inn.

A second public hearing would be held at the Petaling Jaya City Council civic centre in Petaling Jaya on July 11, followed by a third hearing at the Jit Sin High School in Bukit Mertajam on July 15.