PROPOSED VANDALISM ACT MUST COME WITH HEAVY FINE

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- A vandalism act, with heavier fines and
compulsory community service, will serve as a deterrent to stem vandalism in the
country, said Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman Lee Lam
Thye.

He said, such an act might be the answer to society's woes as vandalism
by-laws enforced by the various local authorities were inadequate.

In a statement here Saturday, Lee noted that there was a need for a new
federal legislation to deal with the problem.

This, he said, could be done, through compulsory community service to shame
the culprits, as well as a provision to cane habitual offenders, as Article 6 of
the Federal Constitution which prohibited forced labour, was amended several
years ago.

He suggested that the proposed vandalism act "should provide for those who
commit any act of vandalism, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable
upon conviction to compulsory community service, in addition to a fine not
exceeding RM2,000 (US$589.62)".

"For habitual offenders, those guilty of offences shall be liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years and shall also,
subject to section 231 of the Criminal Procedure Code, be punished with caning
with not less than three strokes and not more than eight strokes," he said.
-- BERNAMA