KUALA LUMPUR: All 149 local councils nationwide will implement the Safe Cities Programme to reduce crime within the next two years.
The move came after 39 local councils that had already implemented the programme showed a 38% reduction in street crime after the initiatives of the National Key Results Area (NKRA) on reducing crime were effectively implemented.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said the ministry would allocate RM102mil to assist the local councils to adopt and effectively execute the programme.
He said the Government was committed to the programme as safety is of paramount importance to every citizen.
The programme was introduced in 2004 and is aimed at ensuring cities were free from crime, social illnesses and accidents.
Under the programme, local authorities are required to have pedestrian walkways while unkempt areas are also required to be cleaned and cleared.
Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras are to be installed as well as sufficient lighting and safety mirrors. In Shah Alam, the City Council (MBSA), under the programme had seen a reduction of its crime index this year – an improvement of 43.4% in its areas of jurisdiction. MBSA Mayor Datuk Mazalan Md Noor said the reduction has significantly contributed to the NKRA on reducing the overall crime rate.
He attributed the successful crime rate reduction to efforts such as the setting up of police beat bases, mobile police bases and MBSA’s own patrol and monitoring to ensure respective areas are under control.
He said these efforts are on-going with several Safe Cities Programme initiatives in place to further create awareness among the public in handling crime and the importance of crime prevention.
In Subang Jaya, RM2.2mil has been allocated to its municipal council (MPSJ) by the Federal Government to implement a Safe City Programme.
The municipal council is one of the 12 local councils chosen to receive the allocation in the country through the crime NKRA.
Among the measures taken under the programme include installing more streetlights, safety mirrors and alarms at crime-prone zones and separating pedestrian paths from motor lanes with barriers or plants.
Crime mapping has also been conducted with the cooperation of the police where a total of 12 crime hotspots in Subang Jaya and Puchong were identified.
In Penang, the Home Ministry has allocated RM4.3mil for projects aimed at reducing crime and making the streets safer.
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