The Malaysian police are still seen as ineffective by a sceptical public even though the national crime rate has been cut by 47% in the past eight years, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

“What we are seeing is that the effectiveness of our efforts in cutting crime just through a reduction in the statistics is not enough.

“So, those involved in crime fighting must do more engagement and adopt a friendlier approach when dealing with the public.

“This can help improve the negative perception of Malaysians,” he was quoted as saying by The Star Online at the Addressing Perception on Safety and Security forum organised by the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) yesterday.

Zahid, who is deputy prime minister, said public perception towards the police was still “not as positive as it should be”.

“The Royal Malaysian Police is acknowledged as the best in Asean. This is an international recognition but not the general perception.

“My estimate is that only 20% are positive about the police,” he added.

He urged Pemandu to strengthen ties with the public to identify their concerns and provide effective solutions.

“On their part, the police should find ways to strengthen ties with the people.

“This will be our approach. It will take time to change perceptions, and this effort cannot be done solely by the police,” he said, urging the public to be involved as well. – July 27, 2017.