Recently, most international assessments of Malaysia have shown a downward trend, particularly from political and economic perspectives.

One of the most sensational issues raised is the drop in the 2024 World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), where Malaysia fell from the 27th position to 34th. The decline in the 2024 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) was also questioned, with Malaysia falling from the 34th place to 39th.

However, not all indicators showed a decline, as the scope of safety and public order showed an upward trend, which has not been celebrated.

Malaysia’s significant ascent in Global Peace Index

On June 12, Malaysia was announced to have climbed nine places in the 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI) compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace, reaching the 10th position among the world’s most peaceful countries out of 163 nations.

This is undoubtedly a significant achievement for the Unity Government, raising the country’s position from 19th in 2023 and 32nd when the GPI was first introduced in 2008.

More significantly, all the countries ranked above Malaysia have much smaller populations, making it easier to maintain peace.

The first-place winner, Iceland, has only about 390,000 residents; second-place Ireland, about five million; third-place Austria, about nine million; fourth-place New Zealand, about five million; fifth-place Singapore, about six million.

Sixth-place Switzerland, about nine million; seventh-place Portugal, about 10 million; eighth-place Denmark, about six million and ninth-place Slovenia, about two million.

Compared to Malaysia’s population of about 35 million, it is certainly a much more challenging task to maintain peace in a multi-ethnic country.

More impressively, according to the report, Malaysia holds the top position in the world in the domain of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict.

Malaysia’s rise in ranking also comes amidst a decline in the global average level of peace, which saw a 0.56 per cent decrease from 2023.

Which ministry in Malaysia is primarily responsible for maintaining peace? Of course, it is the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), currently headed by Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Clear vision and mission of KDN

The vision and mission of KDN are very clear. Its vision is for Malaysia to remain a sovereign and safe country. Its mission is to ensure domestic security and the well-being of the people.

In my opinion, the Global Peace Index is the most important compared to other indices. If the country is not peaceful, the social and economic positions will not progress. Residents will find it hard to thrive, and foreign investors, tourists and expatriates will avoid a country rife with conflicts, disputes, crimes and other social evils.

So why is Saifuddin not praised for his excellent performance but criticised instead? The possibility of personal agendas among critics cannot be denied. Worse yet, recently, some fringe civil society groups have been demanding that the Prime Minister remove Saifuddin from his position.

Everyone knows the Minister of Home Affairs has a significant responsibility in maintaining national peace and order. His primary roles include ensuring that all law enforcement agencies perform their duties efficiently and fairly, safeguarding domestic security from internal and external threats, and overseeing immigration, citizenship and permanent residency issues.

Saifuddin’s achievements go beyond ensuring national peace

As the Home Minister, Saifuddin has achieved much beyond ensuring national peace. Among other things, he has successfully introduced reforms in Malaysia’s immigration system, including speeding up visa application processes and utilising the latest technology to detect illegal activities at the country’s borders.

The principle of compassion is celebrated by KDN in managing detainees. Saifuddin introduced Baitul Mahabbah to temporarily house children from immigration depots in a more conducive environment before repatriating them. To date, three centres – in Negeri Sembilan, Sabah and Sarawak – have been launched, housing 170 children. Three more similar centres will be launched in Kedah, Johor and Kelantan this year.

The Home Ministry also rebranded the Prisons Department as the Centre for the Development of Cultural and Human Civilisation, adopting a corrective development approach for inmates under its supervision. Other programmes like parole, Licensed Prisoner Release (PBSL) and community rehabilitation continue to be strengthened.

Malaysia’s position in the US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report also shows an upward trend. In 2022, Malaysia was at the third level in the report. The following year, we moved up to Tier 2 (Watchlist). Under Saifuddin’s leadership, Malaysia moved from Tier 2 (Watchlist) to Tier 2 in the latest US evaluation in 2024.

The crime index rate in Malaysia also shows a significant downward trend. The target set under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) is 238 index crime cases per 100,000 population. However, in 2023, the number of index crime cases was 149, and by June 2024, the number dropped drop to just 72.

The police response time to emergency cases through MERS calls has also improved from time to time, with an upward trend from 13 minutes to 11 minutes over the past two years.

Regarding citizenship issues, KDN achieved its announced key performance index, processing 10,000 such applications annually, with over 11,500 applications processed in 2023.

Saifuddin's commitment in 2024 is to finalise 17,000 citizenship application decisions. By June 2024, some 9,048 citizenship application decisions, or 53 per cent of the target, have been communicated to applicants.

The constitutional amendment bill on citizenship issues has also received the approval of the Conference of Rulers. KDN is committed to continuing information sessions and engagement and acknowledging procedural improvements that need immediate implementation. This includes researching 840 existing laws and similar laws in other countries.

On July 18, the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 (Amendment) Bill 2024 was unanimously passed in the House of Representatives to expand access to treatment and rehabilitation, particularly on a voluntary basis among drug addicts or abusers.

Additionally, this session of the House of Representatives also passed the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) Bill. Its purpose is to make the delivery system at the country’s entry points and borders more efficient and faster, increase national revenue collection, enhance coordination between agencies, and eliminate leakages and integrity issues.

The handling of foreign workers is also meticulously managed and improved based on four clear approaches: facilitating the entry of foreign workers, reducing migration costs, ensuring workers’ welfare, and protecting employers’ interests.

These are just some of Saifuddin’s achievements since taking office as Minister of Home Affairs on Dec 5, 2022.

In conclusion, it is highly unfair for any party to evaluate Saifuddin’s leadership or call for his dismissal based on minor incidents such as the scuffle between police and participants of the memorial parade for the late Teoh Beng Hock on July 15.

Saifuddin has shown high commitment in improving law enforcement and ensuring human rights are respected. Therefore, he deserves full support to continue his excellent efforts at KDN.

-- BERNAMA

Prof Dr Mohd Kamarul Nizam Abdullah is a Principal Fellow at the Asia Studies Centre, Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and Head of the International Affairs Cluster, National Professors Council (MPN).