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.