Cop charged over Casanova escape

A senior woman police officer has been charged in a magistrate’s court here over the escape of the Casanova, accused of cheating women of their valuables and money.

ASP L. Chandkumary, 56, from Bedong, Kedah, claimed trial yesterday to intentionally releasing K.K. Prabaharan, 45, who was in her custody at 1.50pm on Oct 9 at the George Town court complex here.

The offence under Section 225A (1)(a) of the Penal Code carries a maximum jail term of three years or a fine or both.

She also claimed trial to lodging a false police report at 8.05pm on Oct 9 at the Jalan Patani police station, claiming that the suspect had disappeared when she was writing down remarks on the case at her office, while waiting for the case to be mentioned in court.

She was alleged to have included in the report that she and several police officers went in search of the suspect in the court’s vicinity, Little India, Padang Kota Lama and Jalan Penang but to no avail.

The offence under Section 182 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to six months or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both.

It was reported that on Oct 9, Prabaharan, a computer technician, escaped and fled on foot after arriving at the courthouse here under police escort from Cameron Highlands.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Faisal Md Noor asked for bail to be set at RM10,000 to ensure her presence in court.

Counsel R.S.N. Rayer pleaded for a lower amount, saying that she was present in court even though she was not under police remand.

Another counsel V. Parthiban also requested the court to produce an order to prevent the case and accused’s name from being published in the media, as she is a police officer with 32 years’ of service

Magistrate Dianne Ningrad Nor Azahar rejected the request and set bail at RM7,000 with one surety and fixed Nov 25 for mention.

Bail was not posted at press time.

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Concern over how easy it is to make weapons

Police are worried over how easy it is for anyone to learn how to make weapons such as air rifles merely by referring to the Internet.

According to Crime Prevention Department Director Comm Datuk Ayub Yaakob, it was worrying that anyone can learn how to make these guns at home using items available in hardware stores.

“No matter how much effort we put into monitoring our borders and making sure that no illegal gun enters our country, there are people sitting in front of their computers learning how to make one,” he said yesterday.

With the current crackdown on gangland violence and tighter border controls, there may be an increase in the prevalence of homemade guns.

While not as lethal as real guns, these gas or spring-powered rifles can fire metal pellets at speeds up to 380m per second, comparable to the projectile velocity from small-calibre guns.

Comm Ayub said while some people liked to own these guns as toys or as a means of showing off, others had been known to make them for more sinister purposes.

“Gang members want them when they can’t get their hands on real guns.

“There have been cases of homemade air guns which have been used in robberies,” he said, adding that this was why police were trying to make sure the public understood that air guns were not toys but dangerous weapons.

Anyone having a homemade air gun can be charged with possessing fake weapons, an offence which carries a maximum jail term of one year and a fine.

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Policewomen going to schools

The police are bringing their women cops to school to tell the students that it is not worth it to be a gangster.

The police reasoned that female officers and policewomen would be more approachable and student-friendly in its crime prevention at the schools.

Bukit Aman principal assistant director of the D7 (secret societies, vice and gambling) division Senior Asst Comm Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan said that the move was part of the overall operations to combat organised crime.

“We are sending our policewomen to all high schools in the Klang Valley to engage students and speak to them about staying away from gangs,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching the Ops Cantas Khas Wanita at SM Taman Sri Rampai here yesterday.

With him were nine female police officers and 37 policewomen who interacted with the students and their parents.

“We told them why they should say ‘no’ if any gang comes to recruit them and what to do if they are approached,” said SAC Abdul Jalil.

He said the operations would focus on keeping students from skipping school and loitering.

“The move will be carried out at the state and district police levels.”

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Passengers who have been harassed should lodge complaints

Incidents of sexual harassment on public transport are commonplace, although many still go unreported.

Packed buses and trains are said to be a contributing factor, with most cases happening during peak hours.

Although victims have been urged to come forward to lodge complaints so that action can be taken, many feel powerless and accept it as part and parcel of using public transport.

A random survey by StarMetro in the Puchong, Damansara and Kuala Lumpur areas showed that many women passengers have experienced some form of harassment.

Tales of harassment

Ria, 24, a postgraduate student at a local university, recounted an incident several months ago where a male passenger sitting beside her kept edging closer.

“I felt uneasy and quickly moved to another seat. Now, I drive so I do not need to worry about getting molested,’’ she said.

A victim, who only wanted to be known as Janet, said a man literally held onto her buttocks when she was travelling back home in the bus.

“I felt so angry and wanted to move away but I could not because the bus was packed.

“I did not do anything, fearing the man might follow me home as I live alone.

“I still feel I should have punched his face,” said Janet when recalling the incident.

She also told of another incident a foreigner grabbed her hand repeatedly for no reason when she was on board a bus going home from work.

Atirah Husna, 23, a student from Terengganu who used the public transport during her internship, had a different experience.

“I was travelling on the LRT when I saw a foreign couple kissing and making out in full view of other passengers. Such behaviour is unacceptable because it makes other passengers uncomfortable and I feel that the authorities should intervene,’’ she said.

Most victims of harassment do not lodge reports, neither with the transport company nor the police.

Prasarana statistics show that up to Aug 31, a total of 120 cases comprising various crimes such as sexual harassment, molestation, vandalism, fights and theft on public transport had been recorded.

However, only 67 cases were officially reported to the police.

“It is just too embarrassing and what can they do?” asked one victim.

Lodge a report

Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad urges public transport users to come forward with details of such incidents.

“We want to ensure that public transport is safe. We can only take the necessary action if a report is lodged,” said Prasarana Group communication and strategic marketing department executive vice-president Lim Jin Aun.

Public transport users are also requested to take down details of the incidents and the offenders.

“They should note details such as tattoos, scars, their speech and complexion.

“These will help us identify the suspect,” said Prasarana Security, safety, health and environment department head Tomin Salikan.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk Ku Chin Wah also urged victims to lodge reports.

“Only then can the case be investigated. I also advise those being harassed to shout out loud and reprimand the offender.

“It alerts other passengers and the culprit will be too embarrassed to proceed further,’’ he said.

Ku called on other passengers to help detain the suspect and be willing to act as witnesses.

“However, sometimes it is rather difficult to prove subtle acts. The best defence is self defence,’’ he added.

Solutions

Several transport companies have taken proactive measures.

Many are aware of KTM Berhad’s women-only coaches to ensure the safety of female passengers.

However, there have been complaints that men are not adhering to this by continuing to use the female compartments.

Prasarana also provides buses to areas such as Puchong Utama, Sri Nilam Hub and Subang Suria Hub for female passengers during peak hours.

However, many say the frequency of the buses should be increased as 60% of public transport users are women, based on a Prasarana study.

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Cops: Crackdown has reduced crime

The ongoing nationwide crackdown on crime, Ops Cantas Khas, has reduced crime in the country.

National crime statistics released by Bukit Aman showed that violent crime has shrunk 21.6% since the launch of the operation on Aug 17 and an overall reduction in crime nationwide by 14.7%.

The statistics compared crime cases reported from Aug 1 until Aug 16 with crime cases reported since the launch until Aug 31.

The biggest reduction was seen in violent crimes like homicide, which showed a 55% drop from 40 cases in the first half of the month to 18 cases.

Robbery cases also dropped significantly from 904 cases to 664 cases, about 26.5%, over the same period.

Bukit Aman Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) principal assistant director Senior Asst Comm Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan said the reduction in crime due to Ops Cantas Khas has come as no surprise.

“It is a very aggressive strategy which encompasses every aspect of crime prevention,” he said yesterday.

Launched during rampant gang and gun-related violence in the country, the move was deemed as a much needed yet simple solution to the problem.

The crackdown, however, is more than just a simple crime prevention exercise, said SAC Abdul Jalil adding that public confidence had also increased because they saw police on the streets and conducting daily raids.

“We are getting a lot more tip offs and information from members of the public now which has further helped our efforts,” he added.

MyWatch co-founder S. Gobi Krishnan said although the statistics looked promising, there was still work to be done.

“If the numbers are true, this shows the police have started to perform their tasks properly.

“But why did they allow crime to come to such a state before this?” he said.

Taman Midah Rukun Tetangga chairman Raymond Ng stated his full support for Ops Cantas and said it should be continued indefinitely.

“We will help with patrolling if needed by the police,” he said.

Public opinion however, is still divided upon learning of the impact of Ops Cantas Khas.

Engineer Sarah Kamarudin, 30, said she was glad to hear about the reduction in crime because of the crackdown.

“It shows that the police are doing a decent job. However there are always risks and we should take steps to reduce the risks ourselves,” she said.

S. Arvin Inthiran expressed doubt over the statistics however, saying the time period was too short to be conclusive.

“It could be that the criminals have learnt to lay low and hide for now until the operation is over and will return once the heat dies down,” he said.

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#K9 unit for all prisons soon. @PDRMsia

The Prisons Department’s canine (K9) unit will be expanded to prisons nationwide.

A RM5mil allocation had been given to upgrade the unit, said Prisons Department security and intelligence director Wan Mohamad Nazarie Wan Mahmood.

“This is to build new infrastructure and to buy additional dogs, vehicles and training equipment,” he said in his speech at a graduation ceremony for the second batch of dogs and their handlers at the Kajang prison.

The department currently has one unit serving the central zone, staffed by 33 personnel with 18 dogs.

K9 unit head Asst Comm Abdul Hamid Mohammad said the first phase of the expansion would be to the northern states in the next two years.

“We plan to have units in seven zones. Five in the peninsula and one in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

Abdul Hamid, 54, has served with the department for 33 years and took up the post of unit head in 2010.

He said the dogs’ keen sense of smell helped prison guards conduct their duties more effectively.

Besides guarding and tracking, dogs are used to sniff out prohibited items such as tobacco, drugs and even mobile phones.

He also said that the dogs would be further trained to sniff out explosives and bullets.

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IGP wants sex bloggers to surrender to police

Inspector-General of police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has asked the controversial sex bloggers to surrender themselves to KL police.

Khalid said the police wanted to investigage Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee under Section 298(a) of the penal code for insulting a religion.

He said their actions had caused anger in certain quarters which in turn had indirectly a man to be abducted and graffiti to be written on his body in Shah Alam.

Last Thursday, they uploaded on their Facebook page a picture depicting them eating bak kut teh and describing it as fragrant, delicious and appetising, with a Selamat Berbuka Puasa greeting.

They could be prosecuted for displaying offensive pictures and words under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

The offence was punishable with a fine of up to RM50,000 or a one-year prison term, or both.

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Career in police force promises bright future

Life in the police force can be highly challenging yet rewarding.

A career of upholding the law and serving the people was one of the best choices of her life, said ASP Rodiah Mohtar, 48.

“Being a policewoman has taught me a lot of life lessons like patience and discipline,” she said, adding that it has made her a much better person.

She joined the force because she admired those in uniform like her father, who was in the army.

“I remember feeling so proud the first time I wore it,” she said at Bukit Aman yesterday.

ASP Rizal Abdul Rahman Sidek, 38, said he loves meeting people from all walks of life.

“I get to see many people and help solve their problems,” he said.

He added that it was an exciting job despite the long and sometimes unpredictable hours.

“I love what I do but there are sacrifices, like the limited family time,” he said.

For DSP Osman Mamat, the job always comes first as the uniform comes with a responsibility to serve the people.

“When I joined the force in 1981, my salary was RM270 per month. You do not join the force to become rich,” he said.

He said one of the most haunting memories of his career was being one of the first rescuers during the Highland Towers tragedy.

All three of them said they would recommend people to join the force as it promises a bright future for those willing to work hard.

“Those who join must have a passion for the job and be ready to sacrifice for the greater good,” they said.

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New IGP Khalid wants to "return" streets to the people

The new Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, wants to make safety and security his priority and "return" the streets to the people.

Khalid said he was aware of the challenges posed by the current security situation throughout the country, which required policemen to be at their best and constantly on their toes.

“I am committed towards maintaining public order and public safety.

“In this day and age, the police force will always have to face new challenges, especially with advance technology enabling information to spread fast,” he said in his speech at a ceremony to bid farewell to Tan Sri Ismail Omar, who goes on mandatory retirement, at Pulapol here on Thursday.

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Police award 50 motorists with cash and certificate for driving safely

Fifty motorists have each been awarded RM100 in cash and a certificate for exemplary driving etiquette, in conjunction with the police's Ops Selamat campaign early this month.

The drivers selected have not received any traffic summons in the last three years.

Project manager Cynthia Simon, in her 40s, said she was surprised when informed about the awards.

"I initially meant to go on a trip to Jakarta but cancelled it to receive the award," she said after receiving the award Wednesday.

She added that it was gratifying to be selected for safe driving.

Express bus driver Ang Leng Sun, 47, said he took traffic regulations very seriously.

"Being a bus driver, I hold the lives of hundreds of people in my hands daily.

"“It is a big responsibility and I want to do it to the best of my abilities," he said, adding that he was proud to receive an award from the police.

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Road Safety Department to ensure safer journeys for Chinese New Year

Road safety authorities have shifted into high gear to ensure motorists have a safe journey back to their hometowns for the coming Chinese New Year.

The Road Safety Department will be increasing the number of programmes promoting road safety from an average of once to five times a week during the festive season.

The programmes include distributing pamphlets on road safety to motorists and providing free helmets to motorcyclists in exchange for helmets deemed not up to standard.

Department programme and project implementation director Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said that the pamphlets contained safety tips urging motorcyclists to put on their helmets and motorists to check their vehicle tyres before travelling.

“We will distribute them at toll plazas, highway rest areas and other places,” he said yesterday, adding that the number of pamphlets distributed would be tripled in view of the expected increase in traffic.

Mohd Rusdi said that the department would also give away 20 to 50 free helmets per event to motorcyclists who do not have proper ones.

Nevertheless, he said the department's theme for its safety campaign was to encourage road users to use public transport to return to their hometowns as it was safer than driving in heavy traffic.

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No leave for traffic policemen during Chinese New Year celebrations

Leave for traffic police personnel nationwide has been frozen as they will be deployed to 150 accident hotspots for Ops Selamat II during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Deputy Federal Traffic chief Asst Comm Mohd Fuad Abdul Latif said this year's traffic operations would focus on reducing the number of fatal accidents and crime prevention during the holiday period.

“All personnel have been instructed to be on high alert as we want to ensure the safety of motorists. Past operations called Ops Sikap have been successful, so we want it to continue,” he said yesterday.

ACP Mohd Fuad said traffic police would cooperate with other enforcement agencies like the Road Transport Department and Road Safety Department to reduce the number of fatal accidents during the operation, which will run until Feb 17.

Last year's Ops Selamat recorded a total of 17,937 accidents involving 243 fatal accidents.

In 2011, there were 19,606 accidents, including 289 fatal ones.

“Judging from the trend, we feel that our method is effective in reducing the number of accidents and fatalities. However, we will strive to improve,” he said.

 

Source : CLICK

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Three who fled police custody plead guilty. #dontmess with police

Three men who fled police custody last month and caused a massive manhunt to be mounted for them pleaded guilty at a Magistrate's court here Friday to five charges.

Farid Akhtar, 24, Mohd Sharimy Nor, 28, and Mohd Khairulnizam Abdul Rani, 26, admitted to four charges of hurting four policemen who were escorting them to the Butterworth court at around 9.45am on Jan 7.

The offence under Section 332 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of three years or fine or both.

They also pleaded guilty to escaping police custody at the same time and place.

The offence under Section 224 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of two years or fine or both.

Bail was denied.

Magistrate Hizween Azleena Othman Kamal fixed March 5 for tender of documents.

The accused were not represented by counsel.

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Cops must be informed of public gatherings

Political parties and groups which want to hold outdoor ceramah or public gatherings should inform the police prior to the event, says Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Zainuddin Yaacob.

They should tell the police the time and location of their events before they proceed, he added.

He said the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, which was passed last year, stipulates that the authorities must be told of any gathering at least 10 days in advance.

“The organisers need not apply for permits but they have to inform us so we can get feedback from the community first before the ceramah is allowed,” he said after launching the Motorcycle Patrol Unit (URB) at SK Taman Suria here yesterday.

He was commenting on an incident where participants of a ceramah organised by PKR claimed they were assaulted during the talk at Taman Sri Stulang flats here on Tuesday night.

PKR director of communications Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who attended the ceramah, claimed that an unknown number of people had manhandled about 20 local PKR leaders.

To this, ACP Zainuddin said the police had received two reports on the incident and the case was being investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting.

“The police were also not notified of the ceramah by the organisers,” he added.

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Police to review handcuff SOP

Police are looking to review and revamp its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the handcuffing of detainees in light of the recent escape cases in Penang and the Klang Valley.

Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said they were studying the SOP to see if this could be further improved.

“In my opinion, the current SOP to handcuff detainees in the back is good but we must ensure that everyone is following it.

“Nonetheless, we will look to see how this can be further improved,” he said after attending a seminar for state police chiefs and CID chiefs at Sogo shopping complex here yesterday.

The policemen on duty in the escape cases, said Comm Mohd Bakri, had also been suspended pending disciplinary action.

“Our disciplinary unit is investigating these cases. The policemen on duty will be penalised on a case-by-case basis,” he said, adding that authorities were still on the hunt for two fugitives who had earlier escaped from police custody in Butterworth.

“I was told by Penang police chief (Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi) that they have new leads in the case.

“We are confident that the two men will be re-arrested soon.”

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Police look to adopt new procedure for future rallies

Police will look into the possibility of adopting the new operating procedure used in Saturday’s Perhimpunan Kebang­kitan Rakyat rally for future gatherings given the peaceful outcome.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the new method, which included not deploying the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and having minimal police presence, yielded positive results.

“Police actions were conducted in the spirit of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012. We will consider using the procedure for future rallies.

“The police, organisers and participants cooperated with one another in the spirit of peaceful assembly,” he told pressmen on the sidelines of the Transformation of Security and Fun-damental Rights Legislation Confe-rence here yesterday.

On Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s praise over police conduct during the rally, Ismail said everyone involved, especially police personnel, acted professionally and peacefully.

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More manpower for police force

An additional manpower of 4,000 will be joining the police force next year which will provide support to the existing 122,000 personnel to fight crime nationwide.

Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said from the new recruits, a total of 1,000 personnel will carry the rank of Inspector and be stationed at identified locations.

“They will be on duty at the identified areas to aid in achieving the objectives under the Reducing Crime NKRA under the GTP 2.0 to reduce crime in housing areas, business premises, Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations and bus routes.

“This is different from the first phase where the focus was on efforts to reduce street crime, especially snatch theft as it is a major concern amongst the public,” he said.

The police force will gain strength from its current 122,000 personnel to 155,000 personnel by 2015.

The 4,000 new personnel will undergo training at the army training camps with this approach helping to save the Government’s expenditure as the training facilities are similar and the shared usage will benefit both parties.

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Police aim to reduce public anxiety on crime

Police aim to reduce public anxiety on crime to 24% compared with 50% currently.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said this would be done through the implementation of the second phase of the National Key Result Area (NKRA) on crime next year.

He said police were aware that the public still feared for their safety despite the drop in the crime rate and an international report indicating that Malaysia is a safe place.

“The effort now is to change the people's perception on security,” he said after the presentation of awards to winners of the Balai League Table (BLT) competition at the Subang Jaya district police headquarters here.

Prior to this, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein had announced that the second phase of the NKRA on crime reduction next year would focus on managing public perception on the security situation around them.

On the BLT competition, Ismail said it had contributed to the drop in the crime index and street crime this year.

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Government launches big bike initiative earlier to further combat crime

The Government has implemented the police motorcycle patrol initiative to further combat crime, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said it was introduced to show the Government's commitment and seriousness in fighting crime.

“We are launching the police motorcycle patrol, involving 560 motorcycles, in housing estates, covering four states, 20 districts and 49 housing areas,” he said.

Najib wanted the initiative launched before the year ended, although the RM20mil initiative was slated for implementation under Budget 2013.

The motorcycle patrols, he said, would help reduce crime in housing areas and enable the police to respond faster to distress calls.

“A review of the concept will be carried out in six months,” Najib said.

“And, if found to be effective, the Government will increase the number of motorcycle patrols without the need to wait for additional allocation under Budget 2014,” he said at the launch in conjunction with the United Against Crime police community programme at Bandar Kinrara here yesterday.

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Police Ninjas to roll out today

Housing areas in six states under the National Key Result Area (NKRA) initiative will soon be hearing the roar of motorcycles, thanks to 1,000 high-powered vehicles allocated to patrol these estates.

Federal Police NKRA Secretariat chief Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob said the first batch of 560 Kawasaki Ninja 250 (STD) X machines would be deployed after its launch today.

"The motorcycle patrol units will monitor housing areas in six states under the NKRA initiative, namely the Federal Territories, Selangor, Johor, Perak, Penang and Kedah.

"The second batch will be rolled out early next year. If successful, this effort will be expanded nationwide," Ayub said during the rehearsal prior to the launch in Bandar Kinrara yesterday.

The RM20 million purchase was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak during the unveiling of the 2013 Budget in September.

The patrol unit will comprise 50 officers and 950 men from police contingents in the six states. Five women were also among the 560 in the first batch.

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