The government may deploy army reserve troops to help the country's undermanned police force fight a wave of violent street crime, a government minister reportedly said today.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Tan Chai Ho said the government is considering recruiting personnel from the Territorial Army to compensate for a manpower shortage in the police force, The Star newspaper reported.

The number of violent crimes, especially robbery, bag snatching and rape, has leapt by up to 13 percent in the first five months of the year, the government said recently.

"The Territorial Army may assist police in crime prevention patrols," Tan said according to the Star , adding that their role would be similar to the "home guard" Rela which already helps police and immigration authorities.

The move comes after the media has spotlighted an epidemic of "snatch thefts" including several cases where victims were killed after being thrown to the ground by thieves speeding past on motorcycles or on foot.

Police reject idea

However, deputy police chief Musa Hassan dismissed the initiative, saying that the level of crime does not warrant the deployment of reserve soldiers.

"At the moment, I do not see (the need) but if the situation worsens, I will discuss with the defence minister," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency today.

Tan said the police faced a manpower shortage as they attempt to tackle widespread street crime. In the 2007 national budget, the government has allocated RM4.9 billion to boost the force.

An extra 2,000 police patrol cars and 3,000 police officers are to be deployed.

Malaysia's territorial army has 45,000 volunteer personnel in companies spread throughout the country.