Rina Harun should address high paedophilia and drug abuse stats in Kelantan

INSTEAD of aiming its arrows at vernacular schools, Bersatu's Srikandi chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun should have used its annual general assembly to raise concerns about cases of paedophilia and substance abuse in Kelantan.

Over the past few years, police statistics have suggested that Kelantan is unfortunately gaining a reputation of being a hotbed for sex deviants and drug abuse.

On March 14, Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat expressed worries that the number of sexual crimes against children registered with the Kota Baru Sessions Court for 2022 more than tripled that of sexual crimes involving adults.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun said this figure was of cases registered at the Sessions Court while the police have recorded a higher number.

The actual number of sexual offences against minors would definitely be higher, given that not every victim would lodge a report out of fear, ignorance or having no access to transport to the police station.

To safeguard against paedophiles, Rina could have recommended that Srikandi carry out seminars to teach adults and underage persons on acceptable and unacceptable body touches or how to say no to unwanted or unlawful advances, and to look out for signs of child grooming.

To address urban and rural poverty, Rina would have earned applause if she had suggested that Srikandi members volunteer to give tuition classes to the destitute and hardcore poor at Bersatu’s service centres or even travel to the kampung to conduct these lessons.

The end results of such endeavours can contribute towards enhanced literacy, comprehension of school subjects, and in the long-term, narrow the schism between the rich and poor.

Rather than targeting vernacular schools which could result in a more polarised Malaysia merely for the sake of diverting attention from the legal troubles of Bersatu leaders, Srikandi should tackle paedophilia and alleviate poverty – undertakings that would reflect altruism and encourage others to emulate similar efforts.

By proposing methods to tackle sex abuse and help addicts recover from substance misuse, Rina would have earned praise to overcome the criticisms she once received as the minister of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

SAW OOI LENG

Wanita MCA Kelantan chairperson and Wanita MCA national secretary-general