Gerakan has commended the government’s decision to charge snatch thieves with robbery which carries a heavier punishment.

Gerakan head of central bureau on Environment, Safety and Quality of Life, Dr Cheah Soon Hai, said a harsher penalty would be a deterrent as well help to reduce crime.

“It is good that the government is paying special attention to reduce crime and protect the people’s safety,” he said in a statement.

He recalled that in May Gerakan had called on the government to consider using the Penal Code to impose harsher punishment against snatch thieves, in view of increasing number of cases.

Dr Cheah, who is also Derga State Assemblyman, said yesterday that in fact, the culprits should be charged with homicide, especially when the victim died.

“We have heard or come across too many snatch cases happening everywhere including in housing estates, with some causing serious injuries or even deaths,” said Dr Cheah, adding the people’s safety, especially women and children, must always be protected.

He also hoped the police would increase their patrols in housing estates as their presence would deter robbers, snatch thieves and burglars.

A man was charged in a Sessions Court in Butterworth on Wednesday with robbery for snatching a handbag belonging to a 53-year-old woman in Kampung Baru, Butterworth, at about 3.50pm on Aug 8. He was charged under Section 392 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum of 14 years’ jail, a fine, whipping, or both, upon conviction.

DPP Khairul Anuar earlier told Sessions Court judge Amernudin Ahmad that he was instructed by his superiors to file snatch theft cases in the Sessions Court, to deter such criminals. Normally, snatch theft cases are brought before magistrate’s courts.