Malaysia Update

KUALA LUMPUR: The stepped-up offensive against crime, which began here a week ago, has been extended to four more states.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan wants more of his men and women in blue to hit the streets and get tough with the bad hats in a blitz to keep the country safe.

The IGP has directed police chiefs in Selangor, Penang, Perak and Johor to follow the Kuala Lumpur police lead by increasing patrols and be in public places day and night to arrest criminals or deter those planning to commit crimes.

Increased street presence: Two policewomen on crime prevention rounds in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. — AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star

“The order is out for all police stations in the four states and the Federal Territory to go on the offensive and to screen as many people as possible. We have identified areas where the crime rate is high or where there are many complaints of criminal activities.

“We are seeking the cooperation of other agencies including the Road Transport and the Immigration departments to assist us in tackling Mat Rempits and illegal immigrants. We will zoom in on other criminals,” he said.

Musa will be in constant communication with his counterparts in neighbouring countries to cooperate to nab criminals who are trying to seek refuge or go into hiding in other countries.

Nabbed: A suspected pimp struggling with officers during a raid at Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur, on Monday night to flush out criminals.

Musa said the police have had some measure of success lately following the integrated effort among the CID, narcotics, general duty and Special Branch.

More than 1,000 people and vehicles have been screened and inspected on a daily basis by city police and the results have been very encouraging as a number of wanted persons have been arrested and weapons including firearms, knives and Samurai swords confiscated.

Although this massive clampdown on criminals may cause some inconvenience to the people, Musa urged the public to bear with them and to cooperate to keep the crime rate down.

The additional manpower from the latest intake of policemen would be of help to beef up the force in certain crime-prone areas.

“The police are doing their best but they cannot be at all the places at any one time.

“Our officers and men be will moving from place to place to flush out the law-breakers besides increasing patrols and roadblocks,” Musa said.

All state CID chiefs have been directed to release daily crime statistics as well as the number of arrests made to the mass media so that the public would be kept informed of the police operations.

“The public should not be unduly worried with the perceived high crime figures. If possible, they should help the police by providing information and by calling the nearest police station or the police control centre.”

To a question, Musa said the integrated policing operations were part of the police force’s five-year strategic action plan to keep a lid on the crime rate.