Rantau Panjang Dinaiki Air, Penduduk Mula Berpindah

Lebih 200 penduduk di kawasan Kedai Lama, di sini mula berpindah ke pusat pemindahan Stesen Keretapi Rantau Panjang berikutan air naik secara mendadak melebihi satu meter di kawasan berkenaan.

Beberapa tempat di kawasan tumpuan pelancongan yang bersempadan dengan Sungai Golok, Narathiwat, Thailand itu dinaiki air dari Sungai Golok yang melimpah melepasi paras bahaya sejak petang semalam.

Seorang penduduk Nasir Mat Min, 47, ketika ditemui berkata beliau mula berpindah ke pusat pemindahan itu pada kira-kira pukul 11 pagi setelah kawasan rumahnya dinaiki air secara mendadak.

"Pukul 7 pagi air belum naik lagi tetapi ketika sibuk mengemas rumah air mula naik menyebabkan kami sekeluarga terus berpindah," katanya ketika ditemui pemberita di sini hari ini.

Nasir berkata penduduk kawasan itu sememangnya terpaksa berpindah setiap tahun memandangkan rumah mereka terletak di tebing Sungai Golok.

Bagi seorang lagi mangsa banjir, Abdullah Mohamad, 52, beliau memilih untuk tinggal di dalam lori buah milik menantunya berikutan pusat pemindahan itu telah penuh.

"Saya tinggal dalam lori ni bersama dua orang anak, seorang menantu dan cucu kerana rumah telah dinaiki air melebihi 0.5 meter kira-kira pukul 9 pagi tadi," katanya.

Sementara itu tinjauan di kawasan zon bebas cukai mendapati kebanyakan premis perniagaan juga ditutup setelah kawasan berkenaan turut dinaiki air.

Bagi seorang pemilik kedai pakaian, Fatimah Dollah, 51, beliau mengemas barangan di kedainya sejak semalam sebagai persedian menghadapi banjir.

"Kebanyakan peniaga telah berkemas kerana pengalaman beberapa tahun sebelum ini air banjir sentiasa masuk ke dalam kedai hingga melebihi paras lututmenyebabkan banyak barangan jualan rosak," katanya.

Tinjauan Bernama di pusat pemindahan itu mendapati keadaan tidak selesa memandangkan ruangan pusat pemindahan yang sempit berbanding jumlah penduduk yang terpaksa berpindah semakin ramai.

Mangsa banjir termasuk warga tua dan kanak-kanak terpaksa bersesak-sesak dan ada di antara mereka yang terpaksa menumpang di kaki lima Stesen Keretapi Rantau Panjang.

70,000 nelayan diingat tidak sertai mogok DAP

Kira-kira 70,000 nelayan di negara ini diberikan amaran agar tidak menyertai mogok anjuran DAP bulan depan berhubung beberapa tuntutan, termasuk mengurangkan harga minyak subsidi.

Timbalan Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani, Datuk Rohani Karim berkata parti pembangkang itu ingin menjadi jaguh kepada nelayan tetapi tidak pernah berusaha membangunkan industri perikanan negara, lapor Bernama.

"Kita mengingatkan para nelayan agar tidak terbabit dengan mogok pada 12 Disember ini dan jika ada pihak yang terbabit, kerajaan tidak
akan teragak-agak untuk mengambil tindakan termasuk menarik balik semua keistimewaan dan subsidi yang telah kerajaan beri," beliau dipetik sebagai berkata.

Baru-baru ini anggota parlimen DAP Bandar Kuching, Chong Chieng Jen mengemukakan usul berhubung empat tuntutan iaitu menurunkan harga minyak subsidi kepada RM1.00 seliter (kini RM1.43), mengurangkan pencerobohan nelayan asing, ramai nelayan didakwa belum menerima elaun sara hidun RM200 sebulan dan mahu Zon A dan Zon B perikanan dibuka kepada nelayan asing.

Bagaimanapun usul tergempar DAP telah ditolak oleh yang dipertua
Dewan Rakyat.

Rohani berkata kerajaan BN telah banyak memberi keistimewaan kepada nelayan khasnya bantuan subsidi seperti elaun sara hidup RM200 sebulan termasuk awak-awak, subsidi petrol dan diesel, insentif 10 sen setiap kilogram hasil tangkapan dan banyak lagi bantuan lain.

Tambahnya, menurut agensi berita itu lagi, apa yang dinikmati oleh nelayan di Malaysia ini "mungkin tidak dinikmati oleh nelayan lain di dunia termasuk di negara maju."

Menurut Rohani lagi, kerajaan tidak memberi subsidi kepada
semua pemohon kerana latar belakang mereka perlu diteliti untuk memastikan mereka betul-betul layak mendapat bantuan.

Nelayan yang belum menerima sebarang insentif kerajaan diharap dapat bersabar kerana proses mengeluarkan bantuan mungkin memakan sedikit masa, tambahnya.

Pakatan's doors open for Arif Shah

Pakatan Rakyat today opened its doors to Umno state assemblyperson Arif Shah Omar Shah, who contested against Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim in the Permatang Pauh by-election, to join the opposition alliance.

This comes in the wake of a media report quoting Arif Shah, the Seberang Jaya state representative, of not ruling out the possibility of joining the opposition after expressing disappointment with his party.

Extending the invitation, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said: "Pakatan would welcome any Malaysian who supports the principles of Pakatan to join us.

"Anyone who joins us should join on these principles," the DAP secretary-general told reporters at the sidelines of the PKR congress in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said these principles include the common goal for social and economic justice.

Alleged 'Abused Of Power'

Lim was asked to comment on a New Straits Times report today quoting Arif Shah as saying that he was now at crossroads between staying in Umno or joining the Pakatan-led state government.

According to the two-term state assemblyperson, he was seriously considering his future in Umno following what he described as 'blatant power abuses' by the Umno Permatang Pauh division leadership.

Arif Shah further claimed in the report that he could not longer stand the alleged abuses by division chief Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid, including the alleged measures taken to demoralise him and denying him the position as a state assemblyperson.

However, Abdul Jalil told the English daily that he is not aware of the problems cited by Arif Shah.

It is common knowledge within the Penang Umno leadership that both Abdul Jalil - a former Penanti state assemblyperson - and Arif Shah do not see eye to eye.

Arif Shah shot to fame in August when he was picked to contest against Anwar in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

He was defeated by the opposition leader with a thumping majority of 15,671-majority votes.

Penang PKR chief Zahrain Mohamed Hashim also welcomed Arif Shah's intention to join the opposition.

"If he wants to join us, we welcome him but he must share the aspirations of PKR. As far as I know, he has been doing his job as a state assemblyperson," Zahrain told Malaysiakini.

The Bayan Baru MP, however, denied knowledge of any offer made to Arif Shah to join the party.

'30 Percent Chance'

Contacted this afternoon, Arif Shah revealed that there is a 30 percent chance of him joining the opposition with PKR being the party of his choice.

"I have to discuss with Guan Eng first as I want him to feel comfortable (about me joining Pakatan)," he said.

"The PKR (Penang leaders) offered me (to join), they are welcoming me but it is not an easy decision, there are many things to sort out and I have face them to one by one," he added.

Asked if he will raise his problems with Abdul Jalil with Umno national leaders, Arif Shah said he will talk to the national leadership in the event if he decides to leave.

Elaborating on the reasons which have prompted him to consider crossing over, Arif Shah said the alleged ‘abuses of power’ by Abdul Jalil have limited him from carrying out his role as a state representative.

"There are a lot of things that I have to go through him (Abdul Jalil) even if it is in my constituency, I can't go straight to the Umno branch leaders.

"To me, if people need my service, regardless if they are Malay, Chinese or Indian, I will have to help them," he stressed.

Asked if PKR has offered him any post, he replied: "That is not important, I need a platform to deliver my service."

However, he said it will “take some time” to make the final decision.

Kerusi Parlimen Kuala Terengganu milik PAS - malaysiakini

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) sedia memberi laluan kepada PAS untuk meletakkan calonnya bagi menghadapi pilihan raya kecil Kuala Terenggganu.

Naib Presiden PKR, Azmin Ali berkata, pimpinan tertinggi PKR dalam mesyuaratnya semalam menetapkan sedia memberi peluang kepada rakannya dalam pakatan pembangkang itu.

"Malam kelmarin, PKR adakan mesyuarat khas. Majlis Pimpinan Tertinggi (MPT) mengambil ketetapan kerusi (Parlimen ) ini (Kuala Terengganu) secara tradisinya milik teman kita, PAS, " katanya di Kongres Nasional Tahunan PKR di sini.

Kerusi Parlimen Kuala Terengganu kosong kerana penyandangnya sebelum ini iaitu Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Razali Ismailmeninggal dunia secara mengejut di Institut Aminuddin Baki, Genting Highland kira-kira pukul 6.30 petang, Jumaat lalu.

Azmin juga berkata, walau apa jua keputusan yang diputuskan barisan kepimpinan Pakatan Rakyat yang dianggotai PKR, PAS dan DAP, mereka akan sentiasa berpegang teguh kepada pendirian itu dan akan turun padang memberikan sokongan pada pilihan raya kecil brekenaan nanti.

Dalam pilihan raya umum ke-12 Mac lalu, Allahyarham Razali yang mewakili Barisan Nasional (BN) memperoleh 32,562 undi menewaskan Naib Presiden PAS, Mohamad Sabu (31,562 undi) dan calon Bebas,Maimon Yusof, 89, (685 undi).

Ahli Parlimen Gombak itu juga berkata, Pakatan Rakyat akan memberikan tentangan hebat bagi memastikan kerusi Parlimen Kuala Terengganu itu menjadi milik mereka.

"Dulu, Mat Sabu pun kalah dengan majoriti kecil, itu pun sebab ada seorang makcik (Maimon) yang kacau.

"Tapi tak apa, makcik itu pada malam ini sudah setuju akan sokong Pakatan Rakyat pada pilihanraya kecil itu nanti...tapi makcik mana saya tak tahu," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Azmin juga berkata, Pakatan Rakyat bersedia menghadapi BN jika pilihan raya kecil juga berlaku di Pensiangan, sabah.

"Insya Allah, kalau BN kalah, sekali lagi kita akan turun berkampung di Pensiangan untuk rampas satu lagi kerusi bagi Pakatan Rakyat," katanya.

KT by-election a referendum on Najib, Anwar and Pas

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 - Get ready for a monster of a by-election in Kuala Terengganu.

The death of Deputy Education Minister and Barisan Nasional MP Datuk Razali Ismail has set the stage for an electoral contest which will not alter the overall position of power in Malaysia but is pregnant with meaning for all the major players of politics here.

# Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak:

By convention, the deputy prime minister heads the BN machinery during by-elections. But this will be no ordinary jaunt for Najib. The Opposition will turn the contest into a referendum for the country’s prime minister-in-waiting and there will be no place for him to hide from the insults and gloomy analyses if Pakatan Rakyat snares the parliamentary constituency seat.

Kuala Terengganu will be different from the last contest in Permatang Pauh for a sprinkling of reasons.

Reason 1: Unlike Permatang Pauh, this is a seat which has been held by BN for the last two elections, albeit tenuously. In 1999, at the peak of the fallout over the sacking of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from government, Pas candidate Dr Syed Azman Syed Nawawi thrashed BN’s Datuk Abu Bakar Daud by a yawning margin of 14.448 votes.

Four years later, the popular Razali was fielded as a candidate there and he regained the seat for the ruling coalition by 1,933 votes. He retained the Kuala Terengganu seat by 628 votes on March 8.

In short, except for 1999-2004, this seat has been owned by the BN. In contrast, Permatang Pauh has been Anwar’s stronghold and remained in the hands of his proxy when he was in jail or ineligible to contest.

Reason 2: When BN contested the by-election in Permatang Pauh in August, there was still uncertainty over Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi’s future as prime minister. Blame for Anwar’s stunning victory was laid at his feet with pundits and Umno politicians saying that the PM’s unpopularity on the ground and lack of leadership were reasons for the limp performance of the Umno machinery.

Well, Abdullah is on his way out and a defeat for BN in Kuala Terengganu, or even a victory by a smaller margin than 628 votes, will have to be borne by Najib alone.

This by-election will not be about Abdullah’s track record (that story is done and dusted). This contest will be a bellwether of Najib’s ability to galvanise the troops on the ground and convince the voters that he is the future of the country. If BN does not deliver in Kuala Terengganu, he will not be able to seek refuge behind Abdullah’s weaknesses. Not this time.

# Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim:

Despite the brave talk at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s congress and festival of rhetoric about taking over control of the Federal Government, the Opposition leader knows that there have been more question marks over his ability to keep Pakatan Rakyat together in the last month than at any time after March 8.

It is not just BN politicians or the mainstream media that have raised red flags over his statements. Even the foreign press - longtime supporters of his more open and inclusive agenda - are settling down to the belief that Anwar will have to play the role of Opposition leader till the next general election.

Anwar needs a strong showing in Kuala Terengganu to inject fresh belief and enthusiasm into a coalition that has yet to agree on a common platform and is in danger of self-destructing over ideological differences.

Still, the consummate political player knows that one victory could lift the mood in Pakatan Rakyat, reduce BN’s comfort zone in Parliament by another seat, and put BN and Najib on the defensive.

More importantly, a strong showing by the Pakatan Rakyat in Kuala Terengganu will convince Malaysians that reverses suffered by BN/Umno in March were not solely due to Indians and Chinese voting with their feet, but also the result of more discerning Malay voters, even in rural Malaysia.

Kuala Terengganu is a 90 per cent Malay constituency. On a more personal level, this by-election is a battle of Anwar versus Najib. The battle between the man who believes that he is destined to become the prime minister against the man who has the top job in his clutches.

# Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas):

Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Datuk Mustafa Ali and the powerful Terengganu faction of Pas have had a difficult time living down the loss of state to BN in 2004.

After just one term in office, they were booted out. And despite all the brave talk of wresting control of the state on March 8, spurred no doubt by infighting among Umno politicians in Terengganu, Hadi and his team still failed.

In the months following Election 2008, the Terengganu faction has had some difficulty exerting their influence on the party. They have had some serious reservations over Anwar’s tactics and have favoured a rapprochement with Umno. But they have had to yield to those in Pas who believe that it better to work with Anwar and the Democratic Action Party than with the “cruel and greedy’’ people of Umno.

Another defeat for Pas in Kuala Terengganu could end Datuk Mustafa Ali’s tenure as the election strategist of the party and blunt any offensive the Terengganu faction is planning to launch before next year’s party assembly.

-TMI

Kelantan flood claims first victim, a 25-year old - malaysiakini

The floods in Kelantan claimed the life of its first victim, Nik Zulkifli Nik Kob, 25, who drowned after falling into the swollen Sungai Sokor in Tanah Merah.

His body was found by a search party, comprising the police, People's Volunteer Corps and villagers, at 10.50am Sunday about 10 metres from where he was believed to have fallen into the river on Saturday, state police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi told reporters.

Nik Zulkifli fell into Sungai Sokor and was swept by the current while fishing in the river on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Tanah Merah Fire and Rescue acting officer-in-charge Che Kadir Che Ya said efforts were being made to bring Nik Zulkifli's body to the Tanah Merah Hospital as the only road link to Kampung Sokor had been cut off when a bridge along the route collapsed. The death toll in last year's flood in Kelantan was 15.

Lim: Tiada rombakan melibatkan Fairus

Pulau Pinang tidak bercadang membuat rombakan dalam kerajaan berikutan komen negatif terhadap timbalan ketua menterinya Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin yang tersebar meluas di laman blog sekarang, kata ketua menteri Lim Guan Eng.

"Seperti saya katakan tadi, saya tidak bercadang membuat sebarang rombakan exco Pulau Pinang buat masa ini.

"Saya rasa perkara yang diutarakan ini adalah di bawah bidang kuasa PKR dan saya akan menerima apa-apa keputusan yang dibuat oleh PKR," katanya dalam sidang media di kongres tahunan PKR di Shah Alam hari ini.

Beliau diminta mengulas tuduhan bahawa pemimpin nombor dua dalam pentadbiran kerajaan negeri itu berada bawah prestasi sebenar.

Selain pernah ditegur penasihat PKR Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Mohammad Fairus turut didesak melepaskan jawatannya sebagai timbalan ketua menteri I oleh wakil-wakil rakyat BN.

Wakil rakyat Penanti itu, satu kerusi DUN dalam kawasan parlimen Permatang Pauh yang dikuasai Anwar, meletakkan jawatan sebagai pemimpin persatuan bola sepak negeri selepas didesak berbuat demikian tidak lama dulu.

Kini satu blog khas "Alahai ... Fairus TKM Penang" dibangunkan untuk mengecam kepimpinannya dengan alasan Anwar sendiri gagal mengubah sikap wakil rakyat muda itu.

Mengulas lanjut, Lim berkata, penggantian Mohammad Fairus tidak perlu ditimbulkan kerana beliau tidak mendapat apa-apa pandangan daripada PKR berkaitan perkara itu.

"Saya tidak menerima sebarang tuduhan atau isyarat daripada kepimpinan parti (PKR)."

Ditanya beberapa kali tentang prestasi Mohammad Fairus, beliau berkata, kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat sentiasa bergerak sebagai satu pasukan.

"Kamu mahu lakukan lebih baik. Jadi, jangan terlalu berpuas hati. Kalau kata puas hati, tidak ada ruang membaiki diri. Kita ingin buat lebih baik."

Sementara itu, exco kerajaan negeri Abdul Malik Kassim ketika ditemui media berkata, menjadi perkara biasa wakil rakyat ditegur oleh orang ramai.

Semua orang mendapat teguran, termasuk dirinya sendiri, tambahnya.

-malaysiakini

Anwar: Not easy to explain Sept 16

PKR Congress After keeping mum on the issue for over two months, Opposition Leader and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim finally breaks his silence on the botched Sept 16 deadline he had set to topple the government.

The former deputy premier also claims he has a back-up plan which will commence with the winning over of Sarawakians before the next state elections.

During his speech at the PKR congress in Shah Alam last night, Anwar said it is not easy to explain the Sept 16 issue.

"It is not easy for me to explain it. There are so many things that I cannot say. There are people who agreed to cross over but with a condition - reveal it only when they are ready," he said.

Breaking into a song and drawing laughter from the some 3,000 people gathered, Anwar rendered: "Cakap salah, tak cakap salah, jadi semua serba salah, (It is wrong if I tell, it is wrong if I don’t tell, so all has become wrong)."

On the same note, he said the opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat should set its sight on Sarawak and make it the ‘front line’ and stepping stone to forming a new federal government.

"When? (will the new government be formed). Just wait. For the time being, we will tackle Sarawak... and Sarawak is our new front line (to take over the government)," he added.

The Permatang Pauh MP also vowed that all his fellow opposition MPs from the peninsula will take turns to visit Sarawak every week.

Sarawak has become a hot topic at the PKR congress as the state elections may be held as early as next year.

Many delegates, including those from Sarawak, have urged PKR to pay extra attention to the state.

According to one Sarawakian delegate Wan Zainal Wan Yasin, a 'surprise' awaited Pakatan Rakyat in Miri and Kuching. However, he did not elaborate on this.

'I Am Still Confident'

Meanwhile, Anwar said he is still confident that the opposition alliance will form a new federal government.

The 61-year-old politician, however, stressed that this should be done in accordance with the law.

He also claimed that there were some BN MPs from Sarawak who had agreed to cross over and provided their signatures, but later attacked him out of fear.

Without revealing names, he said: "When I asked him (the MPs) why, he said he was scared of being suspicious, but I am confident as I was confident before the general election that a new government will be formed."

He also stressed that Pakatan Rakyat has to set a new target and rebuild its strength following the Sept 16 episode.

Turning to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the opposition leader spoke of how the former had refused to entertain his request for a meeting.

“We had a letter signed by myself, (PAS president Abdul) Hadi (Awang) and (DAP leader) Lim Kit Siang to arrange a meeting with (Prime Minister) Abdullah, but he refused to do so.

"We had even asked for an emergency House session to table a motion of no-confidence but that also was not entertained," he added.

Banjir di T'ganu, K'tan kian buruk

Keadaan banjir di Terengganu bertambah buruk apabila jumlah mangsa yang dipindahkan ke pusat pemindahan pagi ini meningkat kepada 3,484 orang berbanding 1,743 orang petang semalam.

"Setakat ini empat daerah di Terengganu terlibat dengan banjir iaitu Besut, Setiu, Hulu Terengganu dan Marang," kata jurucakap bilik gerakan banjir negeri, lapor Bernama.

Besut daerah paling buruk dilanda banjir apabila jumlah mangsa yang dipindahkan meningkat kepada 1,556 orang berbanding 954 petang semalam, diikuti Setiu (964), Hulu Terengganu (609) dan Marang (355).

Jurucakap itu menambah, paras air sungai-sungai Besut, Setiu, Nerus dan Marang masing-masing melepasi paras bahaya.

Jalan Kuala Terengganu-Kota Bharu di Km29 dibuka satu lorong sahaja pagi ini, manakala Jalan Kuala Berang-Sungai Tong dan Jalan Kuala Berang ke Tasik Kenyir ditutup kepada kenderaan ringan, katanya.

Menurut agensi berita yang sama, keadaan banjir di Kelantan juga semakin buruk apabila jumlah mangsa yang dipindahkan ke pusat pemindahan meningkat kepada 3,415 orang berbanding 2,397 orang semalam.

Jurucakap Pusat Kawalan Operasi Bencana Banjir Kelantan berkata, kesemua jalan utama kini dibuka kepada semua kenderaan kecuali dua buah jalan di daerah Pasir Mas iaitu jalan di Kampung Kajang dan di Kampung Rahmat yang ditutup kepada kenderaan ringan.

Sementara itu, menurut Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran Kelantan, tujuh sungai utama di Kelantan kini berada pada paras berjaga-jaga manakala satu sungai utama menghampiri paras berjaga-jaga.

Sementara itu, keadaan banjir daerah Temerloh dan Cameron Highlands pada pagi ini tidak berubah dengan jumlah mangsa yang dipindahkan ke pusat pemindahan kekal 25 orang, menurut jurucakap bilik gerakan Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Pahang.

Daerah Temerloh masih mencatatkan 12 mangsa dari kampung Kuang, Lanchang yang kini ditempatkan di balai raya Taman Murni manakala 13 mangsa daripada dua keluarga di Cameron Highlands masih berada di dewan orang ramai Ringlet.

Katanya, dua jalan di daerah Bera iaitu jalan Kampung Orang Asli Chuat dan jalan Kampung Orang Asli Ibam masih ditutup kepada kenderaan ringan selepas air setinggi satu meter melimpahi jalan.

-malaysiakini

Kemungkinan Kesan Krisis Ekonomi Antara Punca Jenayah Meningkat Sedang Dikaji

Mungkinkah kesan krisis ekonomi global menjadi antara penyebab meningkatnya indeks jenayah di Malaysia tahun ini?

Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Bukit Aman Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin tidak menolak kemungkinan itu walaupun beliau menegaskan bahawa ia bukanlah faktor utama.

"Saya tidak nafikan salah satu perilaku jenayah disumbangkan daripada tekanan ekonomi seperti kesempitan wang dan keperluan untuk meneruskan hidup, namun jenayah hanya akan berlaku apabila ada ruang dan peluang daripada kelalaian dan kecuaian individu itu sendiri," katanya.

Beliau juga tidak menafikan pergolakan serta kejatuhan ekonomi yang sedang dihadapi dunia hari ini menjadi punca jenayah semakin ganas dan canggih hingga menyebabkan perlakuan yang tidak boleh diterima akal, namun, tegasnya, ia bukanlah faktor utama peningkatan tersebut.

"Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) sentiasa memantau perkembangan senario global yang berlaku terutama kesannya kepada perlakuan jenayah dan satu kajian menyeluruh sedang dilakukan, yang hanya akan diketahui keputusannya pada awal tahun hadapan," kata Mohd Bakri kepada Bernama dalam satu temu bual di sini.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, peningkatan indeks jenayah sebanyak 1.75 peratus sehingga Oktober tahun ini masih rendah berbanding negara jiran dan menjadikan Malaysia sebuah negara yang masih selamat untuk didiami.

Mohd Bakri berkata sehingga Oktober tahun ini, sebanyak 177,141 kes jenayah dilaporkan berbanding 171,454 kes dalam tempoh yang sama tahun lepas menjadikan peningkatan sebanyak 5,687 kes.

Kes samun berkawan bersenjata api mencatatkan peningkatan tertinggi iaitu sebanyak 14,143 kes daripada 3,691 kes tahun lepas kepada 17,834 kes tahun ini.

Turut meningkat ialah kes curi kenderaan, yang meningkat sebanyak 2,534 kes daripada 10,290 kes tahun lepas dan pecah rumah malam hari yang meningkat sebanyak 2,732 kes daripada 19,299 pada 2007.

Kes bunuh turut menunjukkan peningkatan kepada 538 kes daripada 489 kes serta kes rogol yang meningkat kepada 2,943 kes daripada 2,710 kes tahun sebelumnya.

"Walaupun berlaku peningkatan namun belum sampai ke tahap membimbangkan, malah, jika dibandingkan dengan negara jiran, indeks jenayah kita masih rendah iaitu 772 kes daripada 100,000 penduduk," katanya.

Negara lain seperti Hong Kong mencatatkan 1,166 kes, Jepun 1,569 kes dan Australia 4,470 kes.

Mengulas lanjut peningkatan indeks jenayah itu, Mohd Bakri berkata polis bukannya "kilang" untuk menjadikan masyarakat penjenayah, sebaliknya masyarakat itu sendiri yang menjadikan keadaan sebegitu terutama daripada segi karektor jenayah yang wujud.

Selain faktor keluarga, persekitaran, kedatangan pendatang asing turut mempengaruhi karektor jenayah di negara ini sehingga menjadikannya satu trend.

"Orang luar yang datang akan bawa bersama karektor-karektor jenayah ganas yang mereka peroleh di negara asal dan mereka praktikkan di negara ini di mana pelbagai cara dilakukan bagi menghapuskan bukti termasuk mencincang mangsa, memotong serta perlakuan-perlakuan ganas lain," katanya.

Beliau berkata persepsi masyarakat yang mengambil mudah bahawa jenayah tidak akan berlaku ke atas mereka perlu diubah bagi memastikan langkah-langkah pencegahan diambil, tambahan dalam keadaan keanggotaan polis terhad yang tidak dapat menghadirkan polis di setiap masa dan lokasi.

"Ia menjadi satu cabaran dan pengalaman pada polis dalam mengekalkan kualiti siasatan terbaik terutama agar setiap kes yang disiasat boleh dibawa ke muka pengadilan," katanya.

Mohd Bakri berkata daripada jumlah kes yang dilaporkan tahun ini sebanyak 75,392 kes atau 42.56 peratus berjaya diselesaikan.

"Jumlah tersebut melepasi sasaran Interpol iaitu 25 peratus penyelesaian kes," katanya.

Ditanya tentang kes yang digugurkan berikutan kelemahan siasatan, Mohd Bakri mengakui kadangkala terdapat kelemahan di kalangan pengawai penyiasat terutama daripada segi pengalaman bagi mengendalikan sesuatu kes.

Namun, katanya, kadangkala sikap masyarakat yang enggan bekerjasama memberi maklumat juga menjadikan siasatan tidak lengkap.

"Kita memerlukan kerjasama orang ramai kerana kita memerlukan bukti yang kukuh yang mencapai standard yang diperlukan oleh Jabatan Peguam Negara untuk dibuktikan di mahkamah," katanya.

Mohd Bakri berkata selain membanteras jenayah, tugas polis kini turut ditumpukan untuk menjaga ketenteraman awam berikutan banyaknya pihak yang membuat perhimpunan dan demonstrasi kebelakangan ini.

"Ini menyebabkan banyak masa diambil dan terbuang untuk melayan perkara-perkara tersebut sedangkan tugas hakiki polis ialah mencegah jenayah," katanya.

Beliau berkata sebab itulah polis sentiasa melaksanakan undang-undang pencegahan bagi menghalang sebarang tindakan berbentuk perkauman, politik dan pihak-pihak tertentu yang mempersoalkan undang-undang sedia ada.

Sikap segelintir masyarakat yang mengapi-apikan sesuatu isu sensitif boleh menjurus pada jenayah berat yang akan menjejaskan keselamatan negara.

"Kita jangan sekali-kali mempersoalkan dan memperlekehkan isu agama, kepercayaan dan perkauman kerana kita tidak mahu akan berlaku sesuatu yang boleh memporak-perandakan keadaan seperti yang pernah berlaku di masa lampau," katanya.

Judge Chin tells why he’s retiring early

Justice Datuk Ian Chin, who revealed the existence of a boot camp for judges, said he decided to go for early retirement as work had become “very stressful.”

In a media statement distributed after attending a farewell gathering with Kota Kina­balu High Court staff yesterday, he said he no longer enjoyed working as a judge since last year.

“Suffice for me to say that all too often I found myself in circumstances where I had to make a stand which may be regarded as in defiance to a directive or instruction from my superior, which was very stressful to me,” he said.

Justice Chin had said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had made thinly veiled threats against judges at the Judges Conference in 1997. He said Dr Mahathir threa­tened to sack judges who did not support him. Dr Mahathir has denied the claims in his blog.

Justice Chin, 60, tendered his resignation on July 16 and will leave office on Dec 1.

Acknowledging that his early retirement could be described as resignation, Justice Chin noted that only judges who had served for 15 years were entitled to full pension.

“I started as a Judicial Commissioner on March 1, 1992 and was made judge in August 1993. This meant I would have served 15 years as a judge after August 2008.

“It was not until Aug 22, 2008, that the law was amended to regard the period served as Judicial Commissioner as having served as a judge,” he explained.

Justice Chin said he had found a position overseas. But that job meant that he had to leave before August, which would have resulted in him forfeiting his pension.

“I was of the view that I was giving up too much and so I forewent that opportunity,” he said, adding that his leave was approved two months from September to November, giving him the right to a full pension with the exact date of retirement left open.

“Then I was assigned to an election case which resulted in such furore that it added to my unhappiness to continue working as a judge,” he said, adding that this led him to set the date for his early retirement.

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