LETTER | Missing persons crisis: Unsolved cases and govt inaction

LETTER | Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail recently reported that the number of missing persons cases has remained relatively stable over the past five years, citing police data from 2020 to June 2024, which indicates approximately 900 cases annually.

However, this stability is not a cause for complacency. Maintaining a stable number of missing persons cases is not a sign of success; rather, it underscores a persistent and unresolved issue.

The focus should not solely be on the numbers but on effectively handling and solving each case. While this statistic might appear reassuring on the surface, it masks a deeper, more troubling issue: the long-term fate of those who remain unaccounted for.

While the minister assured the public that police provide updates within 24 hours of a person being reported missing, this superficial reassurance fails to address the critical issue at hand: the long-term fate of those who remain unaccounted for.

Saifuddin's emphasis on stable data and timely updates overlooks deeper, more troubling concerns. Initial updates may come swiftly, but the absence of dedicated resources and a cold case unit represents a glaring oversight that demands urgent attention.

The high recovery rate of 85-90 percent should not overshadow the serious plight of the remaining 10-15 percent who are still missing.

The question remains: What is being done for those who haven’t been found? For the families of these missing persons, years without answers are a living nightmare, an endless torment that the government's current approach does little to alleviate.

This is not just a statistic; it represents real lives and families torn apart, left in a state of perpetual uncertainty and grief.

A broken system

It is argued that the adequacy of police efforts is grossly inadequate, particularly in cases where individuals have been missing for extended periods.

It shows that the current system lacks depth and commitment. Are the police solely focused on short-term investigations? The lack of a long-term strategy and dedicated resources for unsolved cases is a glaring deficiency that must be addressed. Without a comprehensive approach, the unresolved cases will continue to haunt affected families and communities.

There is an urgent need for a dedicated unit to investigate cold cases. The home minister should take decisive action, such as establishing a task force specifically for long-term missing persons cases.

This issue cannot be neglected any longer, there should be a structured, sustained effort to find their loved ones, emphasizing that each missing person is not just a statistic but a human being with a grieving family.

Furthermore, the policy surrounding missing persons cases requires critical examination. Existing laws and regulations may not be sufficient to tackle the complexity and scale of the issue. Reforms that ensure better coordination between different agencies, more rigorous investigative procedures, and accountability for delays and handling of cases.

Moreover, there is a pressing need for greater transparency and concrete actions to address the issue of missing persons, especially those cases that remain unsolved after an extended period.

The police and government must provide regular, detailed updates to these families, ensuring they are kept informed of any progress or setbacks for families whose cases haven’t been solved.

The stability in the number of missing persons cases over the past five years should not be mistaken for a positive outcome. The current approach, which prioritises short-term results, must evolve to provide enduring solutions and justice for all missing persons.

Without a comprehensive strategy and dedicated resources, the unresolved cases will continue to haunt affected families and communities. The government's inaction and lack of a robust plan are unacceptable and call for immediate reform.

The missing persons crisis in the country is a multifaceted issue that requires immediate and sustained action from the government, and the police. The time for superficial reassurances is over; what is needed now are concrete actions and a commitment to justice for all missing persons in the country.

TEOH KING MEN is a qualified lawyer, now on the frontlines of climate action, delving into climate change and sustainability policies, and researching strategies to make a real difference through effective policy and legal frameworks.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.