It is only slightly more than a year ago when snatch thefts stole the limelight, beginning with the murder of Lee Kian Yip, a first year student of Tunku Abdul Rahman College (KTAR) in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur. Various murder cases have been reported ever since, victims of snatch thefts, the Altantuya murder, 2 separate murders of Lee Hui Ling and Lee Hoon Hwa from Johor, etc.

Most of these murder cases were forgotten after all, apart from the politically-charged murder of Altantuya. Today, however, the nation is shocked with the rape and murder of Tang Lai Meng, a second year Business Administration student of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Bandar Sungai Long campus south of Kuala Lumpur. Lai Meng’s semi-nude body was found lying on her bed with her hands tied behind her back. She was only clad in a T-shirt. Initial media reports suggest that the murder suspect could be somebody whom the victim knew.

Latest report from The Star states that the police are looking for a Pakistani, who is a security guard at Bandar Mahkota Cheras where Lai Meng stayed. He has been absent from work ever since the murder took place. The police are also looking for four women and another man. It is believed that more than three people could be involved in the murder.

What actions will the authorities take to reduce the crime rate? It is public knowledge that crime rate has increased recently. We no longer feel safe, even our house is not safe. The police should spend more time patrolling housing areas, business districts and solve the various crimes reported. Priority and extra attention should be given to this rather than spending hours questioning bloggers over sedative comments posted by anonymous readers. The 8 hours spent on questioning Raja Petra Kamarudin could have been used to solve robberies and murders.

Selamatkan Malaysia!