ANOTHER senseless, violent attack. Another headline.
Join the dots and a disturbing picture begins to emerge - that of an increasing number of violent crimes involving Malay youths.
There have been four attacks involving Malays in the last three weeks.
Last month, The New Paper highlighted the trend of more Malay youngsters joining gangs, some of which had taken part in attacks.
Most were recruited at their neighbourhoods. Some gangs, like the '369' gang, were predominantly Chinese.
Malay community leaders have also noticed the growing cycle of violence. And the big question: Why?
Their answers reflect the complexity of the problem. No respect for police and the law. No purpose in life. No way out of poverty.
They all agree on one thing: It is a clear and urgent problem.
Mr Md Yusof Ismail, 49, chief executive of Ain Society, strives to help youths from disadvantaged families. He is forming focus groups with former gang members to try and wean youth away from crime.
'The need is urgent. I am concerned about the growing brazenness and brutality of the attacks,' he said.
The decision to form focus groups follows a trip to Hong Kong last month with some members of his society.
There, they visited former triad members and saw how counsellors reached out to illegal VCD sellers and other groups at risk.
He said: 'Some former triad members have become role models to other youths. I hope I can do the same with former gang members here.'
Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Indranee Rajah said: 'Teenagers and young people join gangs to get a sense of acceptance, belonging and identity which they don't get at home, school or among their friends.'
Mr Abdul Halim Kader, president of Taman Bacaan Female Halfway House and Family Service Centre, said the move last year by the police to send letters to parents whose children were caught loitering after 11pm were effective and should be continued.
He felt that the problem arose because Malay youngsters are not afraid of the police.
'Parents should tell their children to respect the police. The Malay community is working to enlist the help of the parents to advise their children.
'I also advise parents who are concerned about their children's problems to contact the police or their school counsellors, who will in turn direct them to the relevant agencies.'
Mr Md Yusof, who has been a counsellor for about 20 years, said that the problem is not new.
BIGGER ISSUE
But he said that there had been little focus until now because the community had to tackle the bigger issue of drug addiction.
He is confident that the issue of violence could be tackled with the right approach.
He said: 'We need to find out and tackle the root causes and talk to the experts, as is done in Hong Kong.'
In an earlier report, police spokesman Lim Tung Li said they are working closely with their partners like schools and inter-ministry committees chaired by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports to reach out early to youths who are at risk.
ASP Lim said youths aged between 13 and 18 who are involved in street gang activities are also placed on a developmental programme aimed at changing the behaviour of those who have unknowingly drifted into gangs.
The programme offers counselling, family conferences, peer support, recreation and academic activities.
ASP Lim said a guidance programme was formed in 1994 to supervise, counsel and rehabilitate juveniles who had committed petty offences.
Mr Abdul Halim said that the Malay community cannot afford to take the matter lightly.
He said: 'If the matter is not tackled now, it may become normal behaviour soon. Then teenagers and youths will think that if they face any problems or are not happy with anyone, they can solve the problems with violence.'
Source:
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg
Why this cycle of violence? 
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