KUALA LUMPUR: Crime dominated the debate at the Wanita annual general assembly with with two delegates, who were victims themselves, relating their personal experience.

Perak delegate Koo Sze Mei said it was time for the enforcement officers to buck up.

“Four robbers beat up my son and took away his motorcycle.”

“When we took him to lodge a police report, I was told that there were four similar cases on four consecutive days.”

“The police said they know who the culprits are but cannot nab them,” said Koo

Her frustration was shared by Yap Siok Moy from Negri Sembilan who has been robbed twice.

“I hope those responsible (in keeping security in the country) can admit their weaknesses and buck up and not just make promises to do their job.”

All the delegates who took part in the debate said there was a correlation between the huge number of foreign workers and high crime rate.

Terengganu delegate Yap Suit May said the country was moving towards “a violent society”.

“There are two million foreign workers in the country which is almost the same as the entire Malaysian Indian population.”

Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, in winding up, said the country would not be a blessed one if the people constantly lived under the threat of crime.

Referring to the focus on crime during the debate, she urged the women central delegates to hold talks with local police officers and also Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow on ways to tackle crime.

“You have the right to do so,” she assured the women delegates.”

On education, Koo said a poor command in English among students in rural areas has resulted in them leaving school early.

“They have difficulty understanding what is being taught in class, especially Maths and Science,” she said.

She added that this was the feedback she got from heads of schools where she visited.

Koo said the lack of interest in studying would spell the beginning of more problems with so many of these school dropouts.

“The children will find all sorts of excuses when class are on, like going to toilet.”

“Not long after, they will play truant, smoke and gamble.”

“We must first understand why the students do not study. Asking them to study is not enough,” she said.

She also urged the Education Ministry to address this language problem.

*News source from The Star Online