Dialogue with PDRM on Crime Prevention Initiatives with the Community

Dato Wira Ayub chairing the dialogue session

PDRM has taken a number of new initiatives in working with local communities. The major step was the establishment of a new department for Crime Prevention under the directorship of Dato Wira Ayub Bin Hj Yaakob and the engagement approaches adopted by this team through E Sector Policing.

A number of us visited PDRM on August 27, 2013 from 3pm till 5.30pm to discusses the issues surrounding the rise in serious crime and implications for the Malaysian Indian community especially with Police data released recently that 71% of those involved in gang related serious crime are from the Indian community.

In the course of discussion a number of key points were discussed and a number of specific interventions were agreed upon for immediate follow up action:-

·         Crime Prevention though community Policing and community engagement is a key strategy adopted by PDRM in fostering close working relationship with local communities in addressing crime.

·         A two way process of mutual understanding, respect and trust is needed in overcoming crime in society through good working relationship between PDRM and local communities.

·         On the Indian community and Indian issues – the background structural issues of displacement from the plantations to urban squatters to high-rise, low-cost flats and the lack of educational, training and employment opportunities are root issues which need social remedies though the intervention of relevant agencies.

·         That Indian community issues must be viewed not as communal issues/ethnic concerns but national concerns which require multi-sector intervention

·         Adopting a holistic intervention strategy balancing ‘law and order’ with ‘winning hearts and minds’ by addressing socio-economic needs among the urban poor is most urgent.

·         Developing an action agenda though multi agency (all relevant agencies like youth, welfare, employment, housing & local government, Police) and multi-sector involvement (Public, private and voluntary) is now necessary.

·         Adopting a neighbourhood approach for crime prevention through addressing socio-economic issues and concerns by addressing human needs concerns especially in urban poor neighbourhoods which is at high risk for crime and violence is most critical.

·         Pilot testing of community Policing in the 10 neighbourhoods where KITA-UKM undertook community profiling with the support of JPNIN and the RT. Field visits and community dialogues with neighbourhood leaders will be organised.

·         Datuk Dr Denison will forward the KITA-UKM study report to PDRM via Dato Wan Najmuddin for further study and review

·         PDRM has agreed to give full cooperation and support to these neighbourhood partnerships in fostering community policing to address serious crime with local communities. This will be part of the pilot setting of a holistic intervention approach at the neighbourhood level.

The Police were represented by Dato Wira Ayub Bin Hj Yaakob (Director), Dato Wan A.Najmuddin Mohd (Deputy), Dato Rusli Bin Ahmad (Deputy) and officers from public relations and CID

The visiting team members were Datuk A Vathilingam, Prof KS Nathan, Dato Siva Subramanium, Ms Jasmine Adaickalam, Ms Roova Li and Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria

DISCUSSIONS AT DESA MENTARI AT BLOCK 10 FLATS

Nine of us gathered on Sunday August 25, 2013 from 5.15pm to 7pm at the community hall at Block 10 to discuss local neighbourhood concerns. The local contact person Mr Maran who is associated with the ‘Persatuan Kebajikan Kaum India Blok 9 & 10’ invited key leaders from block 9 and 10.

Two other key local contacts are Mr Muthu (01112291840) for block 9 and Mr James (016 9499027) the resident’s Indian community leader for Block 10. These two were very informative and had close links with the local community.

On our side 4 people undertook the visit- Datuk Vaithilingam, Dato Siva Subramanium, Prof KS Nathan and Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria

Some neighbourhood profile

According to local leaders about 41% (270 families) out of the 650 families in block 9 are Indian families. In the case of block 10 it is about 26% (176 families) out of the 650 total families are Indian families.

Major areas of concern

They highlighted youth related concerns such as alcohol abuse, drugs including open sales of drugs and violence. They indicated the inaction by authorities even after informing the authorities concerned. They indicated that they have problems with securing welfare assistance as well as issues with the RT which is not very active in Block 10 where else in Block 9 it has not been formed. The local leader’s complained that their concerns were not clearly articulated, taken seriously nor addressed by relevant agencies.                                                          

Some practical intervention

Both James and Muthu will document all those who have some documentation (BC & IC) related matters for Dato Siva’s assistance

Both James and Muthu will identify all the welfare cases needing assistance and compile the list for reference to the Department of Social Welfare

To secure the support of JPNIN to address concerns at the RT level and enhance the participation of the Department of National Unity & Integration

Organise a discussion with the OCPD of Petaling or senior officers on crime prevention strategies.              

Next Visit

On Thursday August 29, 2013 at 6pm at the Community Hall at Block 10. Local contact is Mr Maran (010-5217229) for directions and parking.

Visit to Simpang Lima, Klang Tamil Primary School on July 29, 2013

Eighteen people gathered at Simpang Lima Tamil School in Klang. Among those from the ‘Inclusive development and urban poor community’s action research group’ were Datuk Vaithilingam, Prof KS Nathan, Edward Devadasan, S.Ramesh & Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria. Others present are members of the local PIBG committee or local civil society.

Simpang Lima Tamil Primary school  is the largest Tamil primary school in Malaysia with 2,425 students and 109 teachers. It has an impressive passing rate of 69.63 passes in 2012 UPSR results.

It has a very strong Parents-Teachers Association which is now an increasing experience in many Tamil schools. The PTA (PIBG) chairman, Mr R Ramachandran gave a power-point presentation of the developments in the school and how they have tried to change the image as well as the teaching-learning experience for students. The school headmistress Ms Kogilavany Kanapathy is also very supportive of community participation and support for the school development.

The school has established a School development team that is developing a conducive learning environment and they are targeting 80% passes for UPSR. They also have a target to ensure their students’ progress from primary 6 straight into Form 1 thereby skipping the Remove by reaching the minimum language requirements.

Some challenges

While this school has made achievements and is now recognised by the Ministry of Education as a Cluster school, they do experience many challenges. Three key challenges were highlighted.

Firstly, due to limited space there have to run two sessions. The Standard 1 to 3 is in the afternoon and standard 4 to 6 is in the morning. There is a restriction in how the school can enable student development and therefore they have been making plans for a second school to be established in the Taman Sentosa, Klang area where about a 1,000 students come from.

Second, is the lack of special rooms for specific teaching –learning like science labs, they have only one lab for such a big school. This year’s UPSR batch is 392 students in 11 classes. Like this they need more space for others rooms like for computing and music.

Thirdly the average class size is about 40 to 45 students. This is too large especially when some of the students need more support and attention.

Social issues among students from Taman Sentosa, Klang

About a 1,000 students from Taman Sentosa go to Simpang Lima Tamil school as there is no Tamil school. This neighbourhood is the low income neighbourhood with many dysfunctional families, youth related issues and urban poverty especially among female headed households who are single mothers.

Dr K.Balakrishan who runs an NGO and has a community centre at the Taman, highlighted some areas of concerns. He also highlighted that there are 12 NGOs especially hindu based and religious, organising centres and projects. However they do not effectively network among each other. Each is doing a small project and not relating to the other. Therefore it is not making a decisive impact on the community

It was pointed out that the density of Indian families is very high and during festive times the area is very Indian especially during religious and cultural events like ponggal. The people here seem to have isolate themselves from other communities and fail especially to relate to the Malay community. This has negative consequences. Therefore some appreciation of diversity and capacity building is urgently necessary.

The issue of alcohol abuse among adults and young was highlighted. A major area for community concern is public drinking in the night at community fields, leading to fights after drinking which is impacting the image of the community. Crime is high and the Indians are attacking and robbing their own community

Urban poverty is a major area of concern with a large number of single mothers. Young people coming from this area have some difficulties in their studies and also behaviour problems. These two groups definitely need support and assistance. Some families have children without documentation and due to this problem they are unable to go to school.

The discussion concluded with five key pointers for follow up action:-

First, that the Simpang Lima school has achieved much and we must document and make this a model and benchmark for others schools. We have been very impressed with work done. We recognise more needs to be done and that the school-PIBG   needs the full support of the community at large. We must speak highly of our achievement so as to inspire other schools to make similar achievements. Good news could be further disseminated through social media like Malaysiakini, Free Malaysia Today and Malaysian Insider.

Second, the matter pertaining to the building of the newly approved school at Taman Sentosa needs to be followed up. Federal government has approved and budget allocated and hopefully it will be implemented soon. Prof NS Rajendran who is coordinating this matter and he needs our support. More needs to be done for Ministry of Education to execute it with haste.

Third, that a meeting be convened with the 12 NGOs conducting social programs or having centres at Taman Sentosa. This meeting will be coordinated by Datuk Vathilingam through the Hindu Sangam to see how there can be joint cooperation and action for maximum impact. Dr Bala and S. Ramesh will assist in this process.

Fourth, that there will be a discussion held on the alcohol abuse issues and what appropriate follow up measures/action organised including policy advocacy, counselling and rehabilitation issues. While the matter was highlighted in Klang area, the issues are being experienced at the national level especially in a majority of urban poor locations/neighbourhoods. Dr Denison together with S.Ramesh will enlist other NGOs and groups to organise a discussion on this theme. It was suggested that Mr Arun Doraisamy of NIAT who has done some work in this area could also assist.

Fifth and finally what can we do to address the issues and concerns of those who are academically weak and socially challenged especially youths from Taman Sentosa and other parts of Klang. Mr Edward Devadasan who has done is masters on this theme at USM could explore with the Simpang Lima school some immediate measures. This team which include other Indian youth organisations like MIYC and HYO could also identify children and young people without documentation who are not in school and who are at high risk to anti-social behaviour.

Notes prepared by Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria

July 29, 2013