Snatch theft: legal issues pertaining to law, punishment and enforcement in Malaysia within the context of penal code / Nurhazimah Md Yusof ... [et al.]

This project paper focuses on the law provided by the Penal Code with regards to snatch theft cases. As snatch theft cases in Malaysia have yet to cease and still continue to rise at an alarming rate, there is a need to look at the form of sanctions provided under the Penal Code to the determine the adequacy of the current law. The main reason for punishment provided by the law is to deter the person and others from doing the same offensive act. However despite the harshness of the current punishment up to a death sentence, snatch theft cases still continues to rampage our society. The issue here is should other forms of punishment be considered and incorporated into the Penal Code in order to put a stop to this menacing act. Another issue discussed is the question on the effectiveness of the current enforcement by police and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in curbing snatch theft. It is submitted that the current law provided in the Penal Code are already sufficient and the forms of punishment imposed onto snatch thieves is already appropriate considering the type of society that Malaysia has. However, the enforcement by the police and NGO's alone is insufficient in curbing snatch theft and cooperation by the public is essential. Through proper coordination between the police, NGO's and the public, the vision where Malaysia is free from snatch theft cases in the future might just be possible.