KUCHING, Malaysia: The police in Sarawak came under fire at a forum yesterday from participants who took the force to task for failing to arrest the rise in crime in the state.

The participants at the "Crime Prevention in Sarawak: Revisiting Community Policing" forum were especially fed up with what they perceive as the force's attitude of constantly putting the blame on the public for its "apathy".

When it seemed that police representatives at the forum were blaming public apathy for the rise in crime, many voiced their disagreement.

"Yes, it is unfair to blame the police alone. But the police shouldn't be pushing the responsibility back to us," said freelance writer Dunstan Chan.

He said although crime in Sarawak was not as bad as in other parts of the country, the police should not rest on their laurels.
"The police always compare the index in Sarawak with other major cities in the world. And they are happy with what they currently achieve.

"Why can't they set a higher level for themselves to make sure Sarawak is really crime free?

"Then we do not have to lock ourselves and watch our belongings 24/7."

Sarawak Tourism Association chairman Wee Hon Seng echoed Chan's sentiments.

"Forum after forum it seems we are not going anywhere. Sarawak is a slow-moving place compared to Kuala Lumpur.

"So why can't they set a higher level for themselves to make Sarawak crime free."

The police were represented by deputy Kuching police chief Superintendent Pauzi Bujang who presented a paper on "Community Policing: An Overview".

The forum, organised by Angkatan Zaman Mansang and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, was to come up with an action plan on practical strategies and initiatives in crime fighting and through the community policing concept in Sarawak. -NST