GEORGE TOWN – Unconventional social issues ranging from vandalism to domestic violence and suicide could be the direct consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, as society struggles to deal with a high level of suffering from the virus.
In the past five months, Penang alone recorded 53 suicides.
Universiti Sains Malaysia honorary associate professor and criminologist Datuk P. Sundramoorthy said although such issues may appear to have no direct correlation with the health crisis, the economic impact from the pandemic could cause various problems in society.
When under duress, people become desperate for outlets for relief.
It will manifest itself in incidents of domestic violence and child abuse as well as other disorders such as alcoholism or mental illnesses that could lead to suicides, as evinced by the spate of these incidents in Penang.
But Sundramoorthy said more research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.
“It’s only 18 months since March last year when the first movement control order was implemented, and you need a longer period to conclude the trend and effects of the pandemic. Now it is too soon.”
Financial woes from the pandemic have resulted in more societal problems, especially in regard to cybercrime, with a growing rate of online scammers and fraud as well as corruption.
Sundramoorthy said this to The Vibes when asked to comment on some of the startling crimes which have taken place in Penang recently.
Yesterday, a middle-aged man drove away with a lorry parked at a hypermarket in Bayan Baru.
He sped up when seeing police patrol cars, eventually roping in four law enforcement vehicles in the chase.
The suspect was overpowered but not before a scuffle broke out with police.
In another development a 39-year-old man was caught red-handed trying to break an ATM at a bank in Balik Pulau on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man was captured on social media jumping off a 10-storey apartment in Bagan Ajam, Butterworth on Wednesday, perishing on the spot.
Under Section 309 of the Penal Code, attempted suicide is punishable with imprisonment for a maximum term of one year or a fine, or both.
“The economic situation during the pandemic has badly affected the poor and the B40 group. People in this category who used to engage in part-time jobs before the pandemic, are now without extra income,” Sundramoorthy said.
He said to fight these societal issues, the nation needs to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is the only solution to the social problems currently faced by society”.
Those facing mental health issues can call Talian Kasih at 15999, or reach out to Befrienders at 03-7627-2929 or [email protected] for support. – The Vibes, June 25, 2021
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