KUALA LUMPUR: Property crime has shown a general downward trend nationwide over the past two years, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said police statistics indicated an overall decrease in offences such as car and motorcycle theft, heavy vehicle theft and house break‑ins, which are classified as property crimes.
"The trend in 2024 and 2025 is decreasing. I can say there has been some impact from the initiatives we have introduced," he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (March 3), adding that prevention strategies were guided by police mapping of high‑incidence areas.
Despite the national decline, Saifuddin said Terengganu still saw an increase and recorded the highest number of property crimes, with 9,223 incidents in 2024 and rising to 9,818 last year.
This placed it above the national average of around 6,500 cases per state annually.
Other states with high figures included Melaka, Perlis, Kedah and Selangor.
Saifuddin Nasution stressed that most property crimes were committed by individuals rather than organised crime groups, and that the data was crucial in shaping targeted prevention measures.
"Based on these statistics, the police will map out which states, districts and areas record the highest cases. This allows us to match prevention strategies accordingly," he said.
Saifuddin Nasution added that Bukit Aman’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department was tasked with coordinating efforts to reduce property crime nationwide.
Muhammad Ismi Mat Taib (PN-Parit) wanted to know if property crime cases are mainly committed by organised groups or individuals.
