Bintulu Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing felt that the authorities concerned should look into ways to prevent bailed criminals from returning to crime again.

Tiong said he had to speak out on the subject after a car theft suspect released in Bintulu, ended up stealing the car of the OCPD of Limbang within a week.

Many people had expressed shock, he said, adding that he had also received a lot of complaints on the matter.

“I hope the authorities will study the situation. Don’t let loopholes in the law, legal technicalities and the release of criminals due to lack of evidence be channels for habitual thieves and other criminals to obtain their freedom to commit more crimes,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

Tiong, who is also a Justice of the Peace, said although the police in Sarawak had been doing a commendable job in fighting gangsterism, the people were still worried about rampant vehicle thefts.
On the bailing of criminal suspects, he said the matter called for the police, prosecuting officers and magistrates to work together to enforce and apply the laws strictly.

“This is something that cannot be taken lightly. If a suspect could be released easily and allowed to go free, society will suffer the consequences,” he said.

According to him, the suspect had become more daring and even dared to steal from a police officer when he had the chance to get out of town.

“This shows that he has not learnt his lesson and was not remorseful.

“This has caused public concern, and I hope the authorities will study and apply the laws strictly,” he said.

He pointed out that if a suspect could easily go free, the people would become more fearful.

“Some victims of car thefts have complained to me that after their cars were stolen, it was extremely inconvenient for them and their families. He said although their cars were insured, the insurance process took some time, and even when they were paid, the insurance company would not pay them the full amount.

Tiong promised that he would bring the matter up in Parliament.

On crime cases in Sarawak, he said he would also highlight the matter in the Dewan Rakat. He hoped the police in Miri, Bintulu and Sibu would work closely to prevent crime.