In The Star today...
Friday December 22, 2006
Public blamed for snatch thefts
THE public is partly to be blamed for snatch thefts, said Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum.
He said snatch thefts usually occurred when the victims were careless with their property.
“Such an attitude gives snatch thieves the opportunity to strike,” he said when replying to a question from Senator Siw Chun Eam.
Earlier, while replying to a question from Senator Datuk Rizuan Abd Hamid on snatch thefts, Mohamad Johari also placed the blame on women.
“SOMETIMES WOMEN LIKE TO CARRY EXPENSIVE HANDBAGS AND WEAR CLOTHES THAT INVITE TROUBLE ” he said.
Umm Jo...WHERE DID YOU GET THAT IDEA FROM? This is a bit like one letter to the editor about a year ago which suggested that the way to curb snatch thefts is for women to stop carrying handbags!
Honestly, are our politicians so bereft of ideas, so clueless, that they have to resort to unsubstantiated claims like this? Is he saying that the way to stop crime is by keeping women at home? And as far as I know, women with expensive handbags don't walk on pavements, nor ride motorbikes. So it's not the rich women who get their bags snatched, it's the ones who have to walk, or wait for buses and taxis etc. A friend of mine got her bag snatched by a man in a car!
And since when do snatch thieves look at women's clothes before they decide to snatch a bag? Anyone whom they think is vulnerable to having their bag snatched, they will attempt.
The point is really how do we make our streets safer for everyone? Better lighting? Better police patrols? Railings on pavements to put a distance between pedestrians and possible thieves on bikes ? Can't we have more sensible ideas than simply blaming women?
Is Jo Baharum saying that snatch thieves can't help themselves because there is so much temptation out there? What an excuse for poor enforcement of laws!
(And my other question is this: when Senators get dumb replies like this, what do they say? Just "Oh thank you, that's really enlightening" or do they at least give a do-you-think-I'm-stupid look?)
Friday, December 22, 2006
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17 comments:
If we don't carry handbags where are we gonna put our money? In our bras? Then if we have to seluk our bras to get the money out each time, wouldn't that be enticing to men? Then if they molest us because they saw us doing that wouldn't they say we asked for it?
So how?
Ignoramus!!
Soon, some idiot YB will suggest that everyone walk to work since we are to be blamed for the high traffic accidents and traffic jam as well...
Sometimes, I wonder if those brainless politician ever wonder what their female family members might feel when they utter something like that?
I was mugged earlier this year.
a single girl got mugged on a valentine's night. what a day to remember! hah.
anyways, I was mugged for approximately 5-6 minutes after struggling and managed to grabbed my IC, Bankcards, and driving license.
but I had to undergo 3 hours of police report process to 2 different police stations.
at the end of the night (or should I say morning, it was nearly 1am), the inspector in charged of my case told me, my mom and my dad that they will only start patrolling the area when they have more cases.
at first I didn't want to lodge a report but since the mugger used a knife on me, my dad thought its necessary being a concerned citizen since the mugger uses weapon, in order to save people's life in the future.
'highest respect' to the high authority who blames the public (yet again) for our own tragic incidents, while the local authority will wait for more lives to be sacrificed in snatch thefts, rape cases and whatnot.
yelah, salah kita.
when his own family members experience it, who will he blame then??? I'm not praying for it, but thats the only way he would understand the situation.
My friend told me the following real story in a new housing development near Seremban:
Elderly women in her neighbourhood go for morning walk before going to the market. Their purses were snatched.
They got wise, no purse, just money in their pockets. They have to empty their pockets at knife points! Okay, no purse and no money, just morning walk. Guess what happened?
The snatch thieves grab their breasts!!!
That's "our" minister, we're talking about ... Question for the rest of us : how come so many ministers and leaders say something so "dumb" lately? My heart is broken for our beloved country (like MM) and the sad thing is, it ain't gonna get mended anytime soon.
I salute my mum for this, but she used to carry around an umbrella with her, regardless of weather. Whenever the motorcycle snatch thieves tried to grab her handbag, she'd use the umbrella to beat them up. She's been successful so far. And she's already in her 60s.
and hwo put ppl liek this in power. Your dad!! So he is to be blamed for some of the jokers we have including Pak lah. That what happens when a leader is too strong and doesn't listen to other views.
I am a fan of you and your intelligence. I guessed, ke mana tumpahnya kuah kalau bukan ke nasi. So, I am hoping, one of this day, you will consider to "masuk political party, anyone of them, and right any wrongs from within". I can wish, right?
We must get to the root as to why there is this great lack of 'critical thinking'? Why there is this great lack of 'innovation'? Why there is this great lack of 'care-level'?
We are not seeing any light at the of the tunnel still for the lack of these 'traits' in our people in general (I said in general and not everyone), currently, more so currently. Anyone knows the answer?
Rocky,
I don't get the logic of your comment. FYI Jo Baharum was the guy who replaced my Dad as Ketua Bahagian UMNO Kubang Pasu, and was very much part of the team that made sure TDM didn't have a chance of representing the division at the UMNO GA.
Thomas, absolutely no hope of me joining any party. In 1993 a friend placed a bet with me that 10 years from then, I would be in politics. 13 years on, he owes me one expensive dinner.
mam,
I guess lots of people have owed lots of expensive dinners to their friends with you not joining any political parties.
heh. thats why, don't bet. hahahahaha.
Now all we have to do is wait for Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum to say that he was misquoted.
MM,
First I do look up to your dad.He may have not done all things right but overall he was good for Malaysia. And I'm very much supporting him on his fight against Pak Lah. Johari and Pak Lah were all around when your dad was around and climbed the UMNO leadership ladder.How did they do that? Look at UMNO leadership now, where all the good man? Only those with money can get in. Money politics only started in the late 80s. Look how he manage to sideline your dad with money. Look at who is leading the country.The Aku janji etc during his leadership, talking agianst leaders a no no. Well if of was Dr.M, it was ok, he was a great man, still is. In the hands of people like Pak Lah or Nazri etc,just see what is happening. Some like money politics even hit back at your dad as you mentioned.
Anyway glad to see you blogging. Do tell your dad lots of us wish him good health,long life and do something to change the current leadership. Otherwise this country will go down the drain under Father In Law of KJ.
Suggest to forget what they say in parliament. Next time round we know who to vote for.
I would suggest that the designers of handbags should now developed a "snatch-proof" handbag. That would be my recommendation and women should have a sense of awareness of her surroundings. If anyone wants to know how to develp a sense of awareness leave your email address when you make comments.
guess those politicians need to carry a brain in the first place ;)
just another attempt to put the blame on ppl, instead of their ownself.
y we get robbed? coz we are stupid. not tat authorities didnt provide security
why malays are lagging behind? coz we are lazy, not that the political parties misused it, but its coz we are lazy..
duh!
MM, though it is only a thin line that is separating you. I hope you do not enter politics. Please preserve your purity, do not mess with all the political dirts and get tainted. I love you just the way you are. We need brains like you on the outside.
typical of a malaysian lawmaker to conveniently blame the public than take on the responsibility themselves. if this is the attitude of current and future leaders, we would be no better than where we were 30 years ago....
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