Penampang member of parliament Darell Leiking has called on the State Government to take proactive measures to prevent criminal threats and violence against women in the State and to ensure their safety at all times.

According to him, more criminal threats and violence against women are being committed in broad daylight and it makes him wonder why the perpetrators still do it despite knowing very well the consequences they will have to face when caught.

“We used to think that criminal threats and violence against women would only happen during the night in dark and narrow alleys. Now we have cases of perverts masturbating in front of women who are inside their cars at the shopping mall parking lots, pickpocket skilfully making incision to an old lady’s handbag at the crowded and busy Tamu Donggongon, snatcher trying to grab a handbag belonging to a young lady at Penampang Baru and more recently, a burglar holding a young girl hostage at Damai, Luyang,” he pointed out.

Leiking said that cases like these were unheard of in the past but while these may be isolated cases, the fact that these criminal threats and violence are being committed openly at public place makes us all wonder what made these perpetrators daring enough to do it.

“Could it be that these perpetrators themselves know the area inside out, especially relating to enforcement, to the extent that they feel confident that they will be able to slip away in case of failed criminal threat and violence attempt?” he asked.

Leiking believes that while it is up to the women themselves to remain vigilant and cautious at all times against criminal threats and violence, the government must come down swift and hard on the perpertrators no matter how minor the offence.

“Take for example the cases of the perverts doing criminal threat by masturbating in front of women drivers in the parking lot of shopping malls in Penampang. While many would be amused with what these sick men have done, over time, they will become daring enough to jump into a car, knock a woman driver unconscious, drive the car somewhere else and rape her because they know from their earlier successive criminal threats that the enforcement in that area is slack.

“All these small and isolated cases, if not attended to swiftly at its inception, will develop into something big which may cause unrest and worry among the people,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Warisan Penampang Volunteer-Internship Programme member Elsie G suggested that the government come up with a special monthly campaign to remind the public about criminal threats and violence against women and children.

“People are becoming so busy these days that they may not have time to attend public seminars, forums or talks about women and children’s protection against criminal threats or violence.

“So perhaps our government can take full advantage of the available social media/apps such as Facebook/WhatsApp or by utilizing the JKKKs (Village Development and Security Committees) to the maximum effect in disseminating as much information as possible about this matter at least once a month,” she suggested.

The government can also do a half yearly event to raise awareness on this matter, she said adding that the campaign should not be a one off event but part of the government’s continuous commitment to protect women and children in Sabah.

And it should be controlled so that people do not get so used to it that they forgot the main reason as to why it is being held in the first place, she explained.

Elsie also hopes that there could be a symbiotic relationship between the government, public, children and women on the issue of criminal threats and violence, especially in the remote areas of Sabah where women and children’s rights are somehow less publicised and/or prioritised.

“As the main contributor to a strong State in terms of managing homes and families, we want all Sabahan women (and children) to be respected by prioritizing their welfare and safety at all times and places as well.

“All the cases mentioned by Darell above happened at urban areas but we don’t know how it is in the remote and interior areas of Sabah; are our women and children there really protected and free of these apparent dangers?

“That is why a continous campaign that highlights the need to educate and raise awareness about the safety of our Sabahan women and children is necessary for the sake of our future generation.

“Yes, we may not be able to see dramatic or immediate changes coming from this campaign but I am sure that thousands of teenagers and young women who are single now will be educated and whatever they gather from this campaign now will definitely be shared with the children in the future,” she explained.

And this will be the perfect way for all Sabahans to celebrate Mother’s Day; to ensure all Sabahan women and children are protected at all times everywhere, she concluded.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by BORNEO POST

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