In a recent assessment of crime rates across Malaysia, Kelantan was ranked the second safest state, while Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest crime rate, positioning it as the least safe.
The report from DOSM highlighted crime trends and changes in safety across the country in 2023.
According to DOSM, the compilation of these statistics are based on the guidelines from the International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purpose Version 1.0 published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Online crime on the rise
The number of online crime cases reported to the Royal Malaysia Police in 2023
increased by 35.5 per cent which is 34,532 cases as compared to 25,479 cases in the
previous year.
All types of offences recorded an increase in 2023.
Sabah ranked first
The report revealed that Sabah had the lowest crime index rate per 100,000 population, at 95, making it the safest state in Malaysia.
Kelantan followed closely with a score of 96, and Terengganu took third place with a score of 100.
The data, compiled by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), indicated that the country experienced a 3.2% rise in crime in 2023.
The total crime index rose from 50,813 cases in 2022 to 52,444 cases, translating to a national crime rate of 149 per 100,000 people, up from 146 the previous year.
Five states recorded crime rates exceeding the national average, Kuala Lumpur had the highest rate at 221, followed by Selangor at 196. Kedah and Penang both reported rates of 193, and Negeri Sembilan registered 159.
On the other end, Sabah, Kelantan, and Terengganu emerged as the safest states, with Sabah scoring the lowest at 95. These states were praised for their low crime rates compared to other parts of Malaysia.
On a global scale, Malaysia performed well, ranking 10th in the 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI) for the safest countries. It also secured third place in the Asia-Pacific region, trailing only New Zealand and Singapore.
