AMANITA Strengthens Community-based Crime Prevention - Deputy IGP

GEORGE TOWN, May 10 (BERNAMA) -- The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) continues to strengthen its community-based crime prevention approach through active public participation, particularly involving women and housewives via the AMANITA initiative and the use of the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) application.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said efforts to preserve social harmony require mutual respect, avoiding provocation, and maintaining close community ties to prevent social divisions that could jeopardise public security.

He said the community-based AMANITA approach is vital in strengthening the spirit of unity and shared responsibility in safeguarding neighbourhood safety.

“AMANITA, or ‘Peace Lady’, is a PDRM initiative that empowers women as the police’s strategic partners in crime prevention efforts.

“The main objective of AMANITA is to reduce crime rates through a proactive approach by making women the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police in channelling information on criminal activities and social issues occurring within neighbourhood areas,” he said when officiating the Community Crime Prevention Carnival and the Launch of the Penang Contingent AMANITA Adopted Park Programme at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) parade ground here today.

Also present were Penang Police Chief Datuk Azizee Ismail and Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri.

Elaborating further, Ayob Khan said that as of April 30, a total of 22,882 AMANITA Friends had been recorded in the Penang Contingent, reflecting public confidence in the programme’s effectiveness.

At the same time, he stressed the importance of using the VSP application as a complement to AMANITA in strengthening the crime prevention system.

“Through the VSP application, the public can submit reports, photographs, videos, and incident locations directly to PDRM for immediate action. The combination of AMANITA and VSP has proven that technology and community cooperation can enhance public safety more effectively,” he said.

In this regard, he urged the public to continue cooperating with PDRM by channelling information, participating in community programmes, and using the VSP application to ensure residential areas remain safe and harmonious.

He also expressed hope that the implementation of the AMANITA Adopted Park Programme would further strengthen police-community relations while increasing public confidence in PDRM.

-- BERNAMA