Expanding crime NKRA, Hisham eyes Rela deployment in malls

Hishammuddin said the proposals to broaden the scope of the crime NKRA was well received by the Cabinet. — File pic

PUTRAJAYA, July 12 — The success of the National Key Result Area (NKRA) initiative to tackle street crimes in the country has prompted the government to expand it to other crimes such as house break-ins and kidnapping.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he would meet with the state police chiefs of Johor, Penang, Selangor and Federal Territory to discuss on the measures to be taken under the initiative for prevention of crimes in areas commonly targeted by criminals including parking lots at shopping centres.

“Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar will also hold meetings with all state police chiefs to obtain inputs on crime incidences in their respective areas and deliberate on solutions,” he told reporters here today.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, meanwhile, will hold discussions with the private sector including shopping complex owners and other premises that have become a cause for concern to the public.

He said proposals to tackle crimes at shopping centre parking lots include increasing security monitoring with the co-operation of volunteer organisations like Rela (People’s Volunteer Corps).

He said the ministry was also studying to expand the integrated patrolling involving police and army personnel, which had been introduced at designated areas in stages, when the public was more comfortable with the presence of the army.

He said although in reality the crime index did not show any improvement, the government’s efforts to tackle crime in the country had earned the praise of outsiders such as the International Free Panel participated by Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.

He said the public had also been urged to come forward and work towards reducing crime as it needed the involvement of all parties.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin in a statement said the Home ministry had also tabled a number of new initiatives for the second phase of the NKRA to tackle the changing criminal trends, at the Cabinet meeting last week.

He said the proposals received positive response and would be implemented.

He added that apart from the new initiatives, the ministry would also set up a special NKRA laboratory to reduce crime and co-operate with stakeholders to discuss on relevant public concerns.

“In line with this endeavour we hope other parties will be with us in tackling crime and reducing incidences which has become a concern to all of us,” he said.

He said for a start, youth volunteers including from the Crime Awareness Team (CAT) would participate in the 1M4U to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Kuala Lumpur Conventions Centre this Sunday. — Bernama