Crimes do happen (almost) on a daily basis in Malaysia. Let it be snatch thief, rape, robbery, murder etc. The thing that I find displeasing sometimes isn’t the person who committed the crime but the group of people who caught the perpetrator in the act.
If my memory doesn’t fail me, I’ve read articles and seen some videos that showed the snatch thief was beaten up badly by those who caught him. I’ve seen videos where the perpetrator was kicked in the face and beaten up repeatedly on the legs with a wood. (I saw that video on a blog but couldn’t find it anymore. If any of you have seen that video and knows where it is, please inform me. Thanks!)
Now, I’m not protecting these perpetrators who have caused great harm to the victims. I understand that some of the victims who suffered from such crimes ended up hurt, paralyzed or even dead. However, that doesn’t justify the actions taken by those who caught them. There are laws in this country. Beating up an individual (even though he is a criminal) is punishable by law (I think — I don’t study law). Call the police and let the law take its course.
A report by The Star yesterday (22 May 2007) reads:
KLANG: A 42-year-old unemployed man was beaten to death by a group of people after he allegedly tried to grab a waist pouch from a trader in the Jalan Meru wet market here.
I think it is quite common people take things into their own hands when they catch someone committing a crime. Often, anger and frustration takes over logical thinking. It definitely doesn’t take a few blows to kill a man. I imagine the deceased must have received dozens of blows to his upper body to end up dead. The report states that he died on the spot and the case has been classified as murder.
The question now is, who (if any) will end up with the murder charge? The person who gave the “deadly blow”? To me, all those who landed a fist, a boot, a stick or whatever instrument used to caused injury to the deceased must be charged. There are laws in this country. A crime is still a crime even though it was done to “punish” another crime.
I’ll share with you a video I got from youtube on an alleged thief (student) caught by the other students in one of our local universities. The video may be a little disturbing, so proceed with caution.
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they should know the consequences when they decide to steal.
Police in Malaysia are not doing the job expected by public, if no one give them a scare, it will grow much more.
I don’t think the intention is to kill, no one wants to do that, But to teach the a lesson. Just like the snatch thief saying that his intention is to rob not kill.
Plus, snatch thief have an upper hand, they decide when it happen and how the snatch shall happen. Victim and bystander will never be prepare.
I agree with wahlau…
no one realises that ppl beating up perpetrators are just a display of public frustration over the fact that forces supposed to control these things are sleeping on the job. seriously, the last 7 years has seen a sharp spike in street crimes…
if they did their job…we wouldnt have to resort to this
nuff said
Agree with you completely.
As for whom should be burdened with the murder charge. I would say all of them, unless it could be proven that the final blow that killed the person would have killed the person even if the others did not add their punches and kicks. However, it could also be said that the final blow(that killed the person) might not have been struck if the person who delivered it had not been incited by the reactions of the rest of the mob. In this sense, they are all culpable.
Yes, it doesn’t give one the right to take the live of another, even though the person’s guilty. The crime rate is up is because of many socio economical factors and not just because there’s not enough cops patrolling the streets. What rubbish! The public mustn’t take the law into their own hands.
@Wahlau.NET
I agree on HALF of what you’ve said. They (the snatch thieves) should know the consequences of stealing — which is to face the law, by the law and no one else.
Even if the police isn’t doing enough, that doesn’t give ANYONE the rights to take matters into their own hands. Again, NO ONE has the rights “to teach him a lesson”. At that moment, tension will be high. Therefore, I *can* excuse “a few punches” but for this case I’m sure the deceased must have been repeatedly beaten up.
My question is, “Does anyone of those who have beaten him up know the consequences of taking matters into their own hands?” To me, they are 2 X 5 (same) with the snatch thief — breaking the law.
@River of Karma
I agree that crime rates are up. As Gallivanter said, apart from police (possibly) not doing enough, there are other factors that contributes to the spike in crimes.
However, your suggestion of, “people publicly beating up crime doer is to send a message to the police force to beef up” is nonsense. If you have a message to send, then speak up. No one should use that as an excuse to vent out anger on the decease or other crime doer.
@ed
It is silly what they did. I’m not sure exactly what happened. It could be repeated beatings like the one in the video, maybe worse, maybe with a stick, I don’t know. To be fair to them, it is understandable that tension is high and some beatings will take place but to the extend of killing someone, they must have gone overboard.
@Gallivanter
It’s true and we need to get people to understand that no matter what the crime doer did, they must allow the law to do its thing. If they allow themselves to get their hands dirty like the reported case, they must face the law themselves. No excuses.
I know this is s dead thread, but
I live in Los Angeles
Rate of conviction for Murder >34%(One in three murders walk!)
Rate of Rape >27%
Assualt>20%
Drugs>78%(capitalism at its best..The system can put them away or take their money(not both). If you suck at dealing you go away(min 20 years..did I mention murder was only 7)..If you are good at it they take your money, and they let you go…. To make more money)
So if you get beat or raped you have about a 30%(about 1 in 3) chance of getting Justice.
So make your own
If you don’t report the rape/assualt then its really! hard to tie you to the criminal. Chance of getting caught>3%. On the VERY small chance of you getting arrested, and convicted, and then sentenced to do time. Well do get to worried. First time offenders in California(do to prison overcrowding) normally do less then 40 percent of the time they are given(1st degre murder 7yrs on Average). Time for good behavior 9-18 months off. On the slim chance you get caught for killing your Rapist or person(s) that assualted you…Less the 18 months. Figure 8-9 in county for the trial. 2-4 in Adm Seg. Sp you will only do 4-8 months in a low level(first timers) White collar “prison”(also know as club meds..because the offer Tennis, cable TV etc.).
Ways of improving your chances of not getting caught. Watch all those “true” case studies on the Discovery type channels(hell watch CSI)….one other thing don’t write these type of things(URL’s are tracable)..unless you have already gotten away with it. The Police dont care about “criminals” getting justice. Hell they barley care about regualr people getting it.
Learn to double(or triple) tap. Buy a throw away. Wear gloves, and a hat. Sun glasses in the daytime. Maybe even a wig(although most make people stand out more because they look so odd). Throw all you clothing away(used on that day), and not near your house or work etc.
Never, NEVER, NEVER!!! talk about it with anyone. Sleep soundly.
if the snatch died on the spot and the case will be classified as murder.
criminal like snatch theft or robber are getting more and more these days.
No one has the right to take one another live
if public caught them they should break their back-bone so that they can’t snatch people bag in future.
Advantages:
1. No blood.
2. A powerful kick will do.
3. Still alive.
Lastly it teach the snatch theft to learn a lesson as they are paralyse for life and that when they are lying on a bed they will regret of what they have done.