Website to combat crime haven image

25 February 2010 , By New Straits Times

AN international forum and dedicated website providing feedback on Iskandar Malaysia's safety and security issues are among the proposals planned by the state police and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda).

The proposals are part of their joint effort to inform and educate foreign investors about the crime situation in the state.

State police chief Mokhtar Shariff said it was important for police and Irda to inform foreign investors, especially those from Singapore, about the efforts which were being made to ensure the safety of residents.

"These initiatives need to be implemented quickly to combat the negative perception that the state had a high crime rate.

"In fact, the state's crime index has decreased by as much as 20 per cent this year compared to the same period last year," he said, after a courtesy call by Irda representatives led by chief executive officer Ismail Ibrahim, at the Johor police contingent headquarters recently.

Other police initiatives include community policing which allows greater interaction, support and cooperation between police and communities.

Mokhtar said, under the programme, police would be trained to spearhead crime prevention and mediate community matters.

He likened police personnel stationed in residential areas to village headman because they had the authority to assist residents.

Mokhtar said police would be purchasing premises for their police beat bases.

"We want to cut the red tape as there can be many problems with regards to rented property," he said, adding that several properties within the Johor Baru district would be converted to police beat bases by next month.

Mokhtar said cooperation with Irda would see police being equipped with high-tech mobile police stations.

"This will lead to a greater police presence in the city, especially in the central business districts. They can also be mobilised to remote areas."