Pubdate: Mon, 14 May 2007
Source: Daily Express (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2007 Daily Express
Contact: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/feedback_form.cfm
Website: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3635

MORE STUDENTS INTO CRIMES

Sabah Commissioner of Police Datuk  Mohammad Mokhtar Hassan said the 
Crime Index involving  students in Sabah showed an increase between 
January  and April this year compared to the similar period in  2006.

According to him, the increase was 25 per cent or three  cases from 12
cases last year.

"What is worrying is the involvement of students in  violent crimes,"
he said, when launching the secondary  school level Rakan Cop and
Crime Prevention Programme  at Wisma Muis, here, Sunday.

He said the violent crimes committed by the students  comprised two
rapes, one non-firearm robbery, one  criminal intimidation case, one
rioting case and four  causing hurt cases.

However, he said the overall Crime Index involving  juvenile cases saw
a decrease.

Mohammad said between January and April this year, the  index showed a
decrease of 12.8 per cent or 17 cases  compared to 133 cases in the
same period last year.

The crimes committed by juveniles during the period  were two rape
cases and one assaulting.

In addition, he said there were also crimes involving  drugs committed
by students at institutes of higher  learning, both at public (IPTA)
and private (IPTS)  institutions, including secondary schools.

"(Nevertheless) the number of addicts among students at  IPTA and IPTS
showed a decrease by eight people  compared to 10 nabbed last year.

"But it is saddening to note that six of the 10 addicts  caught last
year were secondary students," he said.

On students caught for being in possession of drugs,  Mohammad said
there was a 100 per cent increase from  nil last year to 10 this year
between January and  April. They comprised three secondary school
students,  six from IPTA and one from IPTS.

In this respect, he urged the Education Department  including
lecturers, teachers and parents to pay  serious attention by
monitoring the students or their  respective children.

He said if the parents suspect their children are  involved in drugs,
they must take early steps rather  than leave them to continue with
their habit.

"Teachers should also report the matter to police or  send the
suspected students for urine checks because as  long as we are afraid
to take action, drug abuse among  students would spread like cancer,"
he said.

Also present were Sabah Education Department Director  Normah Gagoh,
Deputy Commissioner of Police, SAC II  Sidin Abd Karim and Honorary
Secretary of Malaysia  Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) Sabah
branch, Datuk  Francis Yap.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek