Latest news with #Sundramoorthy
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Child abuse: Poverty, mental health to blame, says expert
GEORGE TOWN: The disturbing revelation of over 4,000 child abuse cases in Penang since 2010 highlights a critical societal issue that warrants urgent attention, according to a criminologist. Universiti Sains Malaysia's Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said that identifying the root causes behind this rise was essential for the development of effective prevention and intervention strategies. He said that economic hardship played a significant role in contributing to child abuse. "Families facing poverty and unemployment often endure elevated stress levels, which can result in neglect or abuse. The Family Stress Model explains how economic disadvantage can lead to psychological distress in caregivers, which in turn affects parenting behaviours and increases the risk of child maltreatment," he told the New Straits Times. Dr Sundramoorthy said that parental mental health issues — such as depression, anxiety and personality disorders — were closely associated with instances of abuse. "Parents struggling with these issues may find it difficult to regulate their emotions, potentially leading to harmful behaviour towards their children. "A lack of parenting knowledge and skills may also result in inappropriate disciplinary actions and neglect. Without proper guidance, some parents may unintentionally harm their children, which underscores the importance of accessible parenting education programmes. "Family instability, including divorce and domestic violence, creates environments in which children are more vulnerable to abuse. The absence of a parent or continuous conflict within the household can lead to both emotional and physical harm." He added that parental substance abuse — including alcohol and drugs — impaired judgement and increases the likelihood of abusive behaviour. Dr Sundramoorthy said that external stressors, such as overcrowded living conditions and a lack of social support, exacerbated the risks of child maltreatment. "In short, the complex nature of child abuse calls for a holistic approach that tackles economic, psychological, and social contributors. Providing support such as mental health services, parenting education, and financial aid can significantly reduce these risks. "Community involvement and the robust enforcement of child protection laws are equally vital in ensuring the safety and well-being of children," he said. State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said that the Penang Social Welfare Department had recorded a total of 4,080 child abuse cases since 2010, including 201 reported between January and April this year. Of these, 113 cases involved girls and 88 boys. The reports encompass physical, sexual, and emotional abuse across all five districts in the state. The data reflects a long-standing trend in which girls are disproportionately affected by sexual abuse.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Watch your tenants' utility bills closely'
PETALING JAYA: Revising current laws and introducing a better monitoring system on tenants is a must to curb electricity thefts especially those caused by illegal crypto mining, experts say. There should be a rental database on tenants, said criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy of Universiti Sains Malaysia. 'If a tenant frequently has high utility bills, or if there are reports of electrical theft or meter tampering, he could be flagged in the system for further scrutiny. 'This could help landlords, law enforcement authorities and utility companies prevent illegal mining operations before they become widespread,' he said when contacted . There have been cases of property owners crying foul after they ended up with huge bills when their tenants secretly conducted illegal crypto mining operations, which consumed a lot of electricity. Sundramoorthy said the government should look into amending the Electricity Supply Act to ensure joint responsibility between homeowners and tenants on matters related to electricity consumption. 'By making both parties accountable, it would force tenants to think twice before engaging in illegal activities,' he said. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Comm Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain spoke of a need for a comprehensive approach. Besides a closer multi-agency cooperation to ensure a more coordinated response – from intelligence sharing and inspections to prosecution – he said: 'There should be stricter requirements for building rental oversight, where landlords must verify the background of tenants and their intended business before leasing out commercial or industrial spaces.' Additionally, implementing mandatory energy audits on high-consumption commercial lots could help flag abnormal electricity usage early, he said. 'Moreover, there must be heavier penalties for repeat offenders. Not just fines, but possibly asset seizures or criminal charges where applicable to serve as a stronger deterrent.' He emphasised on public education, too. 'Communities need to understand that electricity theft is not a victimless crime. It leads to higher tariffs for honest consumers, strains the national grid, and poses serious fire and safety hazards to surrounding areas,' he said. Lawyer Alvin Tan Keng Yi said that while no specific protections exist under the law for property owners, several steps may be taken to prevent illegal cryptocurrency mining or electricity theft. This would include provisions in tenancy agreement to require the tenant to register an account with Tenaga Nasional Berhad before the tenancy begins, he said. For example, he said this should specify that the premise must be solely used for residential purpose and that illegal activities are prohibited. 'Before entering into a tenancy agreement, the owners should conduct due diligence. For example, the owner may verify the identity of the tenant by requesting a copy of his identification card, or request pay slip or utility bills to verify personal information. 'For foreign tenants, the owner may request for their employment letter for verification purposes,' he said. Tan said the landlord may initiate civil action against the tenant for any breach of the tenancy agreement in cases of illegal activities on the premises. Senior lawyer Datuk Joy Wilson Appukuttan said there is no legislation that specifically govern landlords and tenants but these parties could determine their rights under their tenancy agreement and general law. 'Any breaches of the tenancy agreement entails the parties to resort to court action for relief and remedies.' He said a comprehensive landlord-tenant law is crucial which includes the setting up of tribunal that will provide immediate relief for landlords to act against errant tenants. Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Thief (Marah) founder Dave Avran concurred, saying that revising current legislation is the way to go. 'It could lead to improved enforcement, empowering the government to tackle the issue effectively.' However, he cautioned that it would not suffice to just revise the law. 'There must be an improvement in the monitoring systems to identify unusual increases in electricity usage,' he said. He called for proper and thorough screenings of potential tenants. 'This is to prevent the property being rented by unscrupulous people.' 'Educating landlords and tenants about the dangers and legal repercussions of illicit crypto mining is also essential,' he said.
New Straits Times
05-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Criminologist: Police need SOP to keep victims, complainants informed
GEORGE TOWN: A leading criminologist has called for police to introduce a formal standard operating procedure (SOP) that mandates regular updates to complainants and victims of crime. He said there is currently no clear-cut, publicly established SOP. Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy from Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Policy Research said, doing so, would position the police as a forward-thinking, community-oriented institution. He suggested four key recommendations: mandating scheduled updates at predefined intervals (example: every 30 days) during active investigations, designating a liaison officer or case officer responsible for communication with each complainant, leveraging digital tools such as SMS notifications, email updates, or a secure online portal, and providing clear closure communication when cases are classified as "no further action" (NFA). "By adopting these measures, the police can enhance its service delivery, rebuild public trust and align with international best practices, ultimately reinforcing the principle that justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done," he told the New Straits Times. He said, indeed, there were many complaints about this matter in general. Elaborating, Sundramoorthy said, in Malaysia, members of the public who lodged police reports especially in criminal cases, expected transparency and consistent communication from law enforcement authorities. He said while the police operate under internal procedures, there is currently no clear-cut, publicly established SOP that mandates regular updates to complainants or victims of crime. "Although, over the years, there have been directives as per Inspector General's Standing Order (IGSO), the absence of consistent implementation and monitoring contributes to frustration, erosion of trust, and a negative public perception, particularly when investigations appear prolonged or inconclusive," he added. Under the current practice in Malaysia, upon filing a police report, complainants are given a copy of the report (Report A) and, in some cases, contacted by the Investigating Officer (IO) for additional information. Beyond this initial contact, there is no mandatory requirement for police officers to provide systematic or scheduled updates. Section 107A of Malaysia's Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) does grant complainants the right to request information on the progress of a case. Sundramoorthy said, however, this provision does not require proactive communication by the police. "Consequently, complainants often find themselves having to follow up persistently, which may result in feelings of neglect or dissatisfaction. "If the police are to implement a formal and mandatory SOP requiring regular updates to complainants whether in writing, via phone, or digital communication, it will greatly enhance the transparency and accountability of the institution. More importantly, it will reflect a culture of respect and empathy toward victims of crime. "The public is generally realistic in understanding that not all criminal cases can be solved due to various limitations, including lack of evidence or uncooperative witnesses. "However, complainants are often deeply appreciative when they are simply kept informed of developments, even if there is no major progress. The act of consistent communication alone fosters trust, promotes goodwill, and contributes positively to the image of the police," he said. A review of practices in civil democratic societies reveals how proactive communication with complainants and victims has become a hallmark of modern policing: In the United Kingdom, under the Victims' Code, police are obligated to provide updates at least every 28 days during ongoing investigations. Platforms like "TrackMyCrime" allow victims to monitor their cases online. In Canada, the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights guarantees victims access to information about their cases. Police departments such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Toronto Police Service operate Victim Services Units to ensure regular contact and support. In Australia, Victoria Police implements a Victim Contact Policy that mandates regular engagement with victims, especially in serious crime cases. Officers receive training to communicate compassionately and effectively. In the United States, many American jurisdictions offer automated notification services like VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) and embed victim advocates within police departments to provide continuous updates and support. Sundramoorthy said these examples demonstrated that a structured approach to communication was not only achievable but also critical to maintaining public confidence in law enforcement.
