The association’s president, Kuan Che Heng, said the current punishment for either crime was not severe enough to deter offenders, considering the riches they could loot. “The return on investment is high,” he quipped.

“But if you introduce mandatory whipping, then they will be too afraid to commit such crimes.”

He said a burglar could easily get away with RM100,000 in goods and then spend only two years in prison if caught.

Speaking of muggings, he noted a recent statement by the Inspector-General of Police that street crimes had increased over the past year.

“Anyone’s mother can become a victim of ruthless muggers,” Kuan said.

He noted that jail and whipping were mandatory for crimes committed under Section 420 of the Penal Code and questioned why they were not for mugging and burglary. (Section 420 deals with the crimes of cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.)

Kuan said MPs from both sides of the political divide should unite to rid the country of these crimes.

“Politics is politics, but the nation’s security matters more,” he said.

He called for the tabling of a bill in the Dewan Rakyat to amend the relevant law so that muggers and burglars could not escape whipping. “Malaysia will then become a safer place,” he said.

Whipping as a punishment has been condemned by Amnesty International as an act of torture and therefore a violation of human rights.

FMT contacted Amnesty International Malaysia Executive Director Shamini Darshni for her comments on Kuan’s call. She said she would reserve her comments for now as it was only one man’s proposal and no serious action had been taken to pursue it.