Penang Police Confident In Ensuring Smooth Traffic And Security During ASEAN Conference

BUTTERWORTH, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Penang police are confident in their ability to ensure seamless traffic management and heightened security throughout the ASEAN conference in the state.

Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad stated that thorough preparations have been made to ensure the smooth running of all programmes, including an upcoming conference next month.

“We can manage the ASEAN conference. Regarding police assignments, I expect a significant number of officers, which will involve the Penang contingent alone.

“So far, there has been no request for assistance from other contingents,” he said after attending the advocacy event for Op Selamat 23/2025 Chinese New Year by the Penang Police Contingent at the Sungai Dua Toll Plaza (Southbound) today.

Penang will host 13 key meetings as part of Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, with discussions at the working, senior official, and ministerial levels across seven ministries.

Deputy State Secretary (Management) Datuk Abdul Kahar Abdullah was reported saying that the meetings will cover a wide range of strategic cooperation areas among ASEAN member states, covering security, economy, investment, trade, education, and youth development.

Meanwhile, Hamzah stated that the police is committed to further enhancing security to maintain Penang’s status as the safest city.

He noted that although the 2024 crime index showed a 6.8 percent increase from 3,599 to 3,845 cases compared to 2023, Penang's figures remain below the established threshold target.

Hamzah was responding to media reports about Penang’s ranking as the safest city in Malaysia, according to the Crime Index 2025 by Numbeo, with a crime index score of 30.3 and a safety index of 69.7.

-- BERNAMA