One death too many

I applaud the Royal Malaysian Police for its speedy work in bringing to book the suspects in the murder case of the Tunku Abdul Rahman College student. Indeed this is the standard we Malaysian should expect from the Police. Nothing less.

But what does it take for us to get such quality service?

Are those experts in crime fighting only reserved for high profile cases -- such as this when the victim was a student of a college administered by a member of the ruling coalition? Or was the police prompted to act because the President of MCA brought the issue up in the Cabinet meeting?

If they acted with speed only because the victim died, I would have to say it is one death too many. If the same speed and diligence were employed earlier, lives could have been saved.

I do hope all these assumptions are wrong. I want to believe that the Police force are doing all they can, to the best of their effort, to solve each and every case.

But there are so many unsolved cases. The public is feeling unsafe in their own neighbourhood. Perhaps the Police lack the necessary resources to ensure the safety of the people. Perhaps the Minister-in-charge is too busy doing other things. If that is so, perhaps he should relinquish his post and appoint a minister who has got the time and energy to do his work properly. Appointing someone able would be too much to ask from this government.

If funds (or the lack of it) is the problem, the political masters should take note and allocate the necessary funds. Cutting down on fighter jets and missiles purchases should be a good idea, especially if you go shop for missiles that won't hit the target or fail to explode. We need patrol boats to secure the safety of our waterways. Buying outdated fighter jets is a waste of money and a hazard to our pilots.

I'm sure the government can find the resources, if they have the will to do it.

Why not let the police keep the billions of ringgit from traffic summons they collect. Then maybe the offenders will be more motivated to pay the summons.

Do whatever is nedeed. Just make us safe. Is that not what a government is supposed to do?