Many also found safe, says Home Minister
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has refuted allegations that there is an increase in cases of missing persons.
The Home Minister said that based on police data between 2020 and June 2024, the cases of missing persons remain at about 900 cases annually.
“Of the reported cases annually, the percentage of those who are safely found is high, ranging between 85% and 90%. So, the percentage of missing victims remains around 10% to 15%.
“The data has remained stable over the past five years, without showing an upward trend.
“However, from our position at the Home Ministry and the police, even a single case is serious to us,” he told reporters after attending the ministry’s monthly assembly here yesterday.
He was asked to comment on the case of six-year-old Albertine Leo Jia Hui who was found safe at a hotel in Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor, yesterday morning. She had earlier gone missing during a Bon Odori Japanese festival at Eco Galleria in Johor last Saturday.
Saifuddin Nasution said that the public can immediately lodge a police report, especially if it involves children.
“They can lodge a report at any police station, regardless if the person went missing in Petaling Jaya, but it does not mean that they cannot file a report in Ipoh, Perak. These are all listed in the Inspector-General Standing Instructions related to missing persons,” he said.
After 24 hours, the police will from time to time give updates regarding the status of the missing person, Saifuddin Nasution said.
“That is why, the public plays an important role in making reports of missing persons to the police,” added the Home Minister.
Separately, he said that the Home Ministry will look into a report made by Forbes Advisor – a global platform dedicated to help consumers make the best financial choices – that Kuala Lumpur is the fifth most dangerous Asean city for tourists to visit globally.He said the report contradicts the recent 2024 Global Global Peace Index (GPI), which ranked Malaysia as the top 10 most peaceful countries.
“I’ve taken note of the report made by Forbes Advisor and regardless of the report, the commitment of the police is to ensure peace and public order.
“This is our responsibility,” he noted.
The ranking is based on several metrics, including crime, personal, health, infrastructure and digital security risks.
In June, Malaysia climbed nine spots in the GPI. It is now ranked 10th as the most peaceful country.
