Minister: Comprehensive approach needed to cure ‘chronic disease’ of vandalism

BINTULU (Oct 29): Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom has likened the issue of vandalism to a chronic disease requiring a comprehensive approach to resolve.

He said it was an issue that does not happen overnight.

“Vandalism, which involves theft and damage to public utilities, is a widespread issue that needs to be tackled comprehensively.

“Enforcement by the police is the last resort and even that is not sufficient. We need to amend laws to impose stricter penalties, such as caning, to deter such behaviour,” he said when speaking at the launch of the ‘Sarawak Utility and Telecommunications Facilities Vandalism Prevention’ programme at Auditorium BDA, Wisma Bintulu here today.

Dr Rundi pointed out in the past, civic education in schools instilled fear and respect for teachers but now the situation had reversed, with teachers fearing students.

“This cultural shift has made it challenging to address issues related to attitude and behaviour. It is important that education in schools instills values of integrity and respect from a young age,” he said, adding that Sarawak prioritises integrity in governance.

Dr Rundi said vandalizing public utilities would cause water shortages and blackouts, resulting in losses amounting to millions of ringgit for utility companies.

“This is not just about money, but building a nation with integrity. “The increasing number of vandalism cases year after year indicates a need for stricter enforcement and shared responsibility – people need money, and their shortcut is theft. How can we live in such insecurity?

“We need to reduce this situation, like treating a sick person or addressing a problem, to reduce and lower these issues. We need to change our mindset and culture to a more positive one,” he said, citing the working cultures in Singapore and Japan as positive models.

Among those present were Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee, Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang, Bintulu Resident Datu Nyurak Keti and Bintulu police chief Supt Nixon Joshua Ali.