MALAYSIAN SOCIAL ACTIVIST PROPOSES STRINGENT LEGISLATION AGAINST VANDALISM

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Vandalism Act should be introduced to
allow a heavier punishment against offenders, including caning and compulsory
community service, to curb rampant vandalism in Malaysia.

Social activist Lee Lam Thye said the current vandalism by-laws were
inadequate to eradicate the problem which was posing a major threat to the
well-being of citizens.

In a statement, he said local authorities spent millions of ringgit annually
to repair public amenities and property that had been vandalised.

"Hardly a week passes without reports in the media about some form of
vandalism being committed on public telephones, street lightings, public parks,
or housing flats.

"In many local authority areas, even manhole covers and aluminium signages
are not spared," he said.


He said although vandalism in the country was not as severe as in many
countries in the West, the quantum of damage rendered it a serious problem that
must be tackled effectively.

"As it is difficult for authorities to nab the culprits red-handed, members
of the public can make a citizen's arrest on those found in the act of
vandalising public properties," he said.

Lee said education alone was insufficient to tackle the problem and that it
must be backed up by a stringent legislation and strong enforcement.

He proposed that the Vandalism Act provide compulsory community service on
offenders according to the number of hours to be determined by the authorities.

Lee also said imprisonment not exceeding two years and caning should be
included in the Act for habitual offenders who committed the offence more than
three times.

-- BERNAMA