Bukit Aman: Since the start of MCO, crime cases have dropped by 32%

KUALA LUMPUR: Since the first movement control order was implemented in March 2020, indexed crime cases have dropped by at least 32%, says Bukit Aman.

Federal CID director Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed said from March 18,2020 to 15 April 2021, (394 days) 39,726 cases were recorded.

"Meanwhile, if we look at the 394 days before the MCO was implemented (Feb 18,2019 to March 17,2020), 54,920 cases were recorded.

"This shows a decrease of 18,644 casesm or a 32.2% drop in cases," he said during an interview on Bernama TV on Monday (May 3).

He attributed the drop to the increase in uniformed personnel such as police, Malaysian Armed Forces and Rela out on standard operating procedure compliance patrols.

"Because these personnel were out and about, it decreased the opportunity to commit crime.

"Throughout this period, we arrested 24,623 individuals and took action against 2,264 individuals under the Prevention of Crime Act," he said.

Comm Huzir said domestic crimes also showed a worrying trend, with 630 cases recorded from Jan to March this year, compared to around 400 cases recorded between March and Dec last year.

"We believe that some of the factors that contribute to this trend include drug usage, emotional stress as well as the loss of income," he said.

Meanwhile, Comm Huzir said aside from conducting investigations into crime cases, his department was also tasked last year with tracking down the participants of the tabligh at Sri Petaling.

"After the cases started appearing all over the country, we were called to track them all down and direct them to go for screenings.

"Besides this, the Health Ministry also called upon us to track down Covid-19 patients’ close contacts since we have the tools at our disposal," he said.

Meanwhile, under Ops Benteng, Comm Huzir said 971 tekongs and 2,565 migrants were arrested.

"The reason why we go after the tekongs is because they are the ones responsible for organising such activities.

"We used the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act to take action against 80 of these individuals who are now placed under remand," he said.

Meanwhile, on monitoring entertainment outlet activities, he said the Anti Vice, Gambling and Secret Society Divisions (D7) at all levels conducted 1,239 raids on premises which saw 13,801 compounds issued.

"At the same time, they also arrested 5,649 individuals including the care takers and wanted persons during those raids," he said.