Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has denied there has been a rise in criminal activities nationwide, saying the National Key Result Areas initiative shows the crime rate to be declining.

"The speculation of a hike in crime is due to the public being more aware of various sensational issues striking the country, in addition to negative assertions made by irresponsible people.

"The fact is there is no sudden surge in crime recorded by the police at present, especially after the implementation of the Government Transformation Programme, which also emphasises reducing crime," Utusan Malaysia today quotes Hishammuddin as saying.

Speaking at a Crime Reduction NKRA programme yesterday, the minister denied claims made by opposition-led news portals, saying Malaysia's police was leading in terms of competency

"Not only street crime, the government also is serious in its efforts to reduce high profile crime statistics happening in the country," Hishammuddin is quoted as saying.

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