Crime index drops a further 11.9pc

KUALA LUMPUR: The crime index in 2018 dropped by 11.9%, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Last year, there were 88,662 cases which was 11.9% lower than the target threshold of 100,611 cases,” he said, while congratulating the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) on reducing the crime rate in the country.

In his speech at the 212th Police Day celebration at the police training centre (Pulapol) here Monday (March 25, Dr Mahathir also urged the public to continue working closely with the police to continue keeping the country safe from crime.

In 2017, the crime index dropped by 13,186 cases or 11.7% over 2016, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said last year.

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir said the government will continue to channel all allocations needed by PDRM even though it involves additional cost.

The Prime Minister said this was to ensure the country's security force has the suitable and latest equipment, Bernama reported.

“The government is concerned about the needs of police to improve their capability especially now when their duties were getting more challenging,” he was quoted as saying by the national news agency.

Dr Mahathir said based on current development and challenges, the police were not only facing challenges in the context of conventional crimes but also threats of terrorists which are very different and this, he said, required security agencies, especially the police, to be firm, strategic and effective.