Choosing friends wisely crucial to avoid planned crimes - Criminologist

SHAH ALAM - An independent criminology expert has shed light on the concerning issue of missing persons in Malaysia, particularly children, adolescents and women.

While acknowledging the difficulty in pinpointing exact causes due to limited data, Shahul Hamid Abd Rahim outlined potential factors and highlighted the importance of public vigilance.

"Most missing children are victims of planned crimes, typically kidnappings.

"However, there are also cases resulting from parental negligence," he said.

He pointed out that adolescents and women may be at risk due to associations with inappropriate friends, increasing their vulnerability to planned crimes.

"Abductions and related incidents often lead to victims becoming prey to human traffickers, particularly women who fear being forced into prostitution," he added.

Shahul also delved into the complexities behind reported missing cases, stressing incidents that remain unresolved for extended periods.

To this, he urged the public to avoid actions that could potentially attract criminal activities, emphasising the importance of vigilance regarding the safety of children and adolescents.

He stressed the vital role of parents in safeguarding their children, especially adolescents, cautioning against distractions such as excessive mobile phone use that may lead to negligence.

"It's crucial for the community to address distracted parenting to prevent negligence issues and mitigate the risks of unwanted incidents," Shahul warned.