Malaysia now 13th in global safety rankings, says IGP

2026-03-25 - 10:10

IGP Khalid Ismail said the country’s overall security situation remains stable despite several isolated incidents. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is the 13th safest country in the world and second in Asean according to the Global Peace Index 2025, with the country’s index crime declining by 6.4%, says Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail. Speaking at the 219th Police Day celebration today, he said the improvement reflects sustained enforcement efforts, including increased security operations nationwide and at border areas. Noting that the overall security situation remains stable despite several isolated incidents, Khalid cautioned that the country’s security landscape is becoming increasingly complex. “We are now in a highly challenging era as we strive to remain the leading enforcement agency,” he said, adding that evolving threats require continuous adaptation. Citing past attacks on police personnel, Khalid said such cases reflect a growing boldness in challenging law enforcement. He also called for upgrades to critical police infrastructure and legal reforms to ensure laws remain effective in addressing modern security threats. “We will continue to strengthen our professionalism and accountability through training, monitoring, and the use of technology, including artificial intelligence,” he said, stressing that public cooperation remains key to maintaining security. Khalid also acknowledged the government’s continued support for the police. He said the police have been allocated RM12.1 billion this year, along with an additional RM200 million to enhance IT infrastructure nationwide. Speaking to reporters at the same event, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Malaysia aims to further improve its position in the Global Peace Index under the 13th Malaysia Plan, targeting a rise of five places to rank ninth globally within the next five years. He said this improvement would be driven by continuous legal reforms, enhanced enforcement capabilities, and a more coordinated national security framework, which he described as key to sustaining public confidence and long-term stability.