Some Questions about Malaysia Crime
Last week a company approach me for a sponsorship deal. Whether this will work out or not, still yet to be known. Nevertheless, they have posted me with a series of questions which I would like to share them here with you.
1. What is Malaysia Crime?
Malaysia Crime is a website that shows crimes in Malaysia on a map.
2. What gave you the idea to start Malaysia Crime? What was your inspiration?
Sometime in March 2009, a person I know was mugged in PJ. He was attacked and lost a finger. It was a shock to me. And I realized somewhat deeply, that crimes are no longer somethings we read in the newspaper that happened to people we don’t know in a far away places. Crimes are things that more and more happening to people close to us. And one day it will happen to ourselves, or worse, to our families.
It is a feeling of urgency. Crime is getting out of control. And I wanted people to feel this urgency like I have.
At that time, the only way I know how was to use a map. Because, I think this makes people realized the amount of crimes that are happening near them. That they would not otherwise have known. And that’s how Malaysia Crime was created.
3. Have any other crime watch sites inspired you?
ChicagoCrime.org created by Adrian Holovaty. This website has since been incorporated into EveryBlock.
4. What kind of service does MC provide to the community?
Show the community what are the crimes around and near them.
5. In what way do you see MC as being useful to Malaysians?
To know crimes around them that they otherwise would not have known. And from here, a lot of other benefits can be derived depending on how the person internalizes and uses the information.
6. What do you hope to achieve with MC?
Immediately. For people to realized the urgency of the crime situation in our country.
Ultimately. Safety for us and our families.
7. Describe MC in three words.
Maybe a motto instead? And in 10 words 
“Police fight crimes with guns. People fight crime with information.”
8. Are there any changes you might make to MC in the future?
I am working with a group of social entrepreneurs at Unreason.my. We are working with a government agency to get anonymized crime data from the Police. I believe equipping Malaysia Crime with quality information will help users even more. These are the changes I am looking forward to.
9. How many hits/users has MC attracted so far, and how many followers are you hoping for in the future?
Malaysia Crime attracted about 2,000 4,500 users so far.
10. What sort of response would you like to see from the Malaysian public?
I hope that people will feel the urgency regarding the crime situation in our country. And hence, seriously take steps to prevent and fight crime in whatever means that are available to them.