Malaysia’s 2024 Crime Rate Up 11.1 Pct, Driven By Property-Related, Assault Cases

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 16 (Bernama) --  Malaysia’s crime rate rose by 11.1 per cent last year with 58,255 cases reported as compared to 52,444 in 2023, largely driven by property-related offences and assault crimes, according to the latest report released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) today.

According to DOSM’s Crime Statistics, Malaysia 2025 report, property crimes remained the most prevalent, surging 12.4 per cent to 47,188 cases, while assault crimes also registered an increase of 5.9 per cent, reaching 11,067 cases.

“Despite the overall rise, the report recorded a positive development in homicide cases, with intentional homicides declining by 9.5 per cent to 237 cases, while non-intentional homicides remained unchanged at two cases.

“Kidnapping incidents also showed a slight reduction, with 17 cases reported in 2024, of which children accounted for 11 of those cases,” the statement read.

DOSM said sexual crimes presented a mixed picture, with rape cases increasing by 12.1 per cent to 1,899 cases. However, rape without force increased 29.3 per cent, while rape with force declined by 15.3 per cent, suggesting shifts in reporting or perpetration patterns. 

It said robbery cases saw a notable 6.8 per cent decrease, totalling 4,276 cases, with most involving robbery from individuals (41.7 per cent), followed by other forms of robbery (38.2 per cent), incidents targeting establishments or institutions (13.5 per cent) and vehicle-related robberies (6.7 per cent).

Meanwhile, house break-in and theft cases also fell slightly by 1.8 per cent, with 77.6 per cent of these offences occurring during the night.

DOSM said drug-related cases involving drug supply and possession continued to climb, with a 10.6 per cent increase bringing the total to 81,090 cases. 

“Drug supply cases rose by 4.6 per cent, while possession cases jumped by 12.7 per cent, reflecting intensified enforcement and possibly increased substance use,” it said. 

DOSM said arrests for bribery cases involving giving and accepting bribery surged by 24.6 per cent, with 764 individuals apprehended. 

“(Cases of ) giving bribes rose sharply by 51.2 per cent, while (cases of) accepting bribes increased by 20.3 per cent, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat graft,” it added.

DOSM said economic crimes also intensified, with 2,243 cases of misappropriation of controlled goods recorded — a 19.1 per cent rise from the previous year.

It said diesel was the most commonly misappropriated commodity at 30 per cent, followed by petrol (26.7 per cent), cooking oil (19.8 per cent), sugar (10.1 per cent), liquefied petroleum gas (9.1 per cent) and wheat flour (4.4 per cent).

DOSM said health and safety at work offences recorded the steepest rise, increasing by 71.1 per cent to 296 cases. The manufacturing sector accounted for over half of these offences (57.4 per cent), followed by construction (27.4 per cent) and business services (8.1 per cent).

It said animal-related crimes remained minimal, dropping to 12 cases involving cruelty and welfare violations, while sea robbery continued to be rare, with no cases reported in 2024 compared to a single incident in 2023.

DOSM said correctional statistics also reflected significant changes, with the number of convicted prisoners increasing by 28.4 per cent to 128,916 individuals.

Male inmates made up the overwhelming majority at 90.9 per cent, while female prisoners accounted for 9.1 per cent, it said. 

-- BERNAMA