KUALA LUMPUR: The national crime index declined last year, with a total of 148 cases – instead of the projected 246 – for every 100,000 people, says Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
The Home Minister said based on the ministry’s (KDN) data the decline contributed to an increase in the level of security among Malaysians at 64.67% compared to 60.6% in 2020.
“In 2021, the ministry undertook efforts to curb criminal activities even during the movement control order. This ongoing effort had managed to lower the crime rate.
“The ministry had played a very important role during the Covid-19 pandemic, among others, to ensure national border security.
“As a result during Ops Patuh, until March 6, a total of 4,399,586 inspections were made with a total of 18,756 actions taken and 12,404 compounds issued and 6,352 premises closed,” he said during his speech at the launch of the “Kita Demi Negara” (Us for the Nation) campaign here yesterday.
In terms of the Global Peace Index in 2021, Malaysia ranked 23rd out of 163 countries, which is an improvement of one ranking compared to 2020, Hamzah added.
“However, border security issue continues to pose challenges to our security and public order, particularly the smuggling of goods and human trafficking as well pirate activities.
“In 2021, as a result of Ops Benteng, a total of 16,051 illegal immigrants were caught and RM 654.14mil worth of items were confiscated,” he said.
As such, to address the current threats and challenges, a more comprehensive approach particularly a more holistic strategy including the cooperation of all segments of society at the national level was required, he said.
With that in mind, the Kita Demi Negara campaign was launched, and was aimed at building the nation’s peace and prosperity, cultivating patriotism, building unity and racial harmony, Hamzah said.
“In line with the campaign, we have launched Sahabat KDN, a volunteer membership for Malaysian aged 15 years and above. We already have 500 members who have registered, and they will receive a Sahabat KDN passport.
“We are targeting 20,000 members in the next six months comprising youths, university and college students, non-governmental organisations and secondary school students,” he said.
“These Sahabat KDN can also choose to focus on certain activities which interest them apart from learning how to shoot from the police, sailing, visits to border control areas, and other programmes under the ministry’s agencies.”
Hamzah also announced a RM20mil grant under the Malaysian Incentive Community Empowerment (MyICE) programme for 2,000 registered associations for the Welfare, Security, Social and Human Rights categories under the Registrar of Society.
This grant, which is up for grabs by the registered associations, he said will be on a first-come first-served basis.
Hamzah also presented a RM10,000 grant for the 10 registered associations under the MyICE at the event.
“Through this grant, I hope these associations will play a larger and effective role for the prosperity of the country in an inclusive and sustainable manner,” he said.