KUALA LUMPUR: Proactive measures must be implemented by the authorities to prevent incidents like the shooting at a mall in Setia Alam, an anti-crime NGO.
Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Thief (Marah) founder Dave Avran said temporary measures like tightening security would not tackle the root cause of the issue.
"Ensuring public safety requires systemic changes, from better surveillance technology to more stringent policies and regulations.
"These cannot be implemented piecemeal or only when prompted by tragedy. There is an urgent need for long-term commitment for public safety," he said when contacted on Sunday (Feb 9).
He said authorities must take action long before the news headlines are dominated by tragedy.
"Crime prevention should be at the forefront of policy-making, not an afterthought when the damage is done.
"The public deserves more than just the assurance that their safety will be prioritised after an incident - they deserve a long-term, sustainable approach to crime prevention," he said.
It was reported that Selangor police had identified the shooter of the Setia Alam mall incident.
The suspect, a local in his 30s, had 11 prior criminal and drug-related records.
During the incident, a foreign man who works as a cleaner was hurt after he was shot in the leg and buttock.
The situation at the mall was chaotic following the shooting incident on Saturday (Feb 8) night.
However, the police have deemed the mall safe and allowed it to operate normally on Sunday.
