Malaysian culture?? so it is to everyone's despair

Snatch thiefs, pick pockets and robberies have become part and parcel of our lifestyle here even though no one wants to admit it. Sure enough, it happens everywhere, even in Europeon countries. Still, this problem seems very common here , especially when it has happened to two of my teachers in the span of a month. Furthermore, they are foreigners and even they have taken this as ' malaysian culture', not making too much fuss about. What I didn't like more was that both of them were ladies! one is entitled to be my grandma even! while the other, was a pretty 29 year old japanese girl and they had the balls to even kick her! talk about malaysians being kind and friendly! such hospitility !( Those form ppktj whould know who i'm talking about, while the rest would not have a single idea about what i'm rambling about here!)
Over the year, many people i know have fallen victims to this. I'm not excluded either. Why do people steal? Is it because their poor? But surely other people aren't there? Maybe it's from the thrill? That i may be able to comprehend but it's unethical ain't it?( though 'unethical' is a relative term)Whatever it is, i sure don't blame the police for not doing their jobs. It's almost impossible for them to be everywhere. I blame the nature of the country itself for the past 20-30 years, where everything outside just looks good, sugar coated yet the inside is rotting. Just like corruption itself, this problem has been around for the long until it's considered a norm! No simple remedy can cure this illness, only in the long term actions can be taken, which is through education? I have my doubts on it but it is the best bet. However, our edu system is not suited for it. The truth is, every little change can make a lot of difference but what changes are needed, no one actually knows. Trial and error would be good but haveing lost 20-30 or even mroe years on it, we don't have much time experimenting anymore. At this rate, KL itself would become another Jakarta, Bangkok or Manila?Reality or just my imagination?