The Singapore's Example

[Rocco]

LAW & ORDER


Singapore's example


Everyone thought that Navin Ramgoolam would avail himself of the opportunity of his state visit to Singapore to broach the subject of law and order with his counterpart and his government and learn something concerning the security of the country and its inhabitants.
How is it that in a country which is four times smaller than Mauritius and with a population of over 4.6 million, people walk without having to look over their shoulders, where taxi-men operate on a twenty-four hour basis without any aggression, where young girls attend evening classes without fear of being molested sexually, where the young are screened from the scourge of drugs ? While we in Mauritius with a population of only 1.3 million are unable to guarantee the security of our citizens.


Never has the country witnessed such an upswing in crime and violence. These two elements have become faits divers in the press. Crime and violence have become daily occurrences. Today people are killed for a mere argument. The killers perform their sordid jobs with ease and without any afterthought for the consequences of their acts. Why has killing become so easy ? Formerly it was said that the country was a paradise where it was pleasant to live. Today Mauritius has become the paradise lost where people are afraid to live. Are we becoming like South Africa where crime and violence have become the usual décor of the country's landscape ; where walking with a gold necklace round your neck has become synonymous with courting death. Each time a girl is raped, a tourist is robbed, a brutal crime is committed, we have the feeling that our laws are not severe enough to deter the wrong-doers. The country lacks an effective deterrent to check the wave of crime, banditry and violence.

Prison à Visage Humain
It is inconceivable to see a criminal or a rapist who had committed a serious offence roaming the society again after having spent five or six years in jail, especially our prison which can be characterized as a "five stars" where prisoners are treated with generosity and humanity. A prison which adheres strictly to human rights, une prison à visage humain as a former Minister of Social Security had demanded. The rights of the prisoners to have fish, chicken, meat, etc. A jail with a minimum deprivation ! The light punishment and the royal treatment can encourage the criminal not only to repeat his offence on release but also to embolden others to do worse. Only stiffer penalties can deter repetition and shield our society from violence.
Once Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore told a reporter that in his country a tourist can leave his hotel at any time in the night for a walk without any fear for his security. Here in Mauritius how about the safety and security of our tourists ? Can a tourist walk in broad daylight in Grand-Baie without the risk of being attacked and robbed, just forget about a night walk on our well boasted beaches in the tourist brochures which is tantamount to courting danger ? Then we want to be like Singapore, to set up a duty-free island to attract foreign visitors. This is mere pipe-dream ! It will never takeoff because of the security and safety of the shoppers, be they local or foreigners. The tourist will go to Dubai and Singapore where their security is guaranteed. Tour-operators in Europe advise visitors going to the South to avoid South Africa because of their security. They can go at their own risk and peril. Have we pondered upon that label and its consequences that could be attached to Mauritius if aggression against foreign visitors is not checked ?
If Singapore is a drug-free society along with an effective security for its citizens and foreigners, it is because of the severity of its laws. No one will make Singapore bend its laws because they are an effective deterrent in the fight against crime and violence and they shield its society from the scourge of drugs. And the Singaporeans are agreeable to the laws prevailing in their country since they allow them to live.
All criminal actions which are carried out with premeditation should be punished with the utmost rigour of the law. Then and only then can we expect the wave of crime and violence to recede somehow. The consequences of any criminal action should be something to be chewed upon. It is only the dire consequences of an action which can preclude its execution.


Until we set up solid bulwarks against crime and violence by stiffening our laws, this is the grim picture of Mauritius today.