The parliamentary caucus on human rights will organise three public hearings to assist the police in curbing crime in major cities.

Caucus chairperson Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz explained that the decision was prompted by the escalating crime rate in the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru and Penang.

"While the police have acted to control crime, it would only be a temporary measure if we don't address this matter seriously," he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

"The situation is so bad in Johor Bahru that it has caused concern among Singaporean investors who wish to invest in the Iskandar Development Region," he said.

The first public hearing will be held on July 8 in Johor Bahru, followed by sessions in Petaling Jaya and Bukit Mertajam on July 11 and 15 respectively. The venues will be announced shortly.

Nazri, also the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said the hearings would enable the caucus members to get first-hand information from the public.

This will be compiled and handed to the police and other relevant authorities, he said.

"We welcome the police to attend the hearings if they want to. We don't want to just listen to one side of the story."

Nazri also staid the caucus will meet with the US Ambassador to Malaysia to discuss Malaysia's ranking in Tier 3 in a report on trafficking of persons.

"The Parliament secretariat will contact the US Embassy to fix a date for the meeting before July 10," he said.

Expressing disappointment with the ranking, Nazri said he wants the reasons for Malaysia's low ranking, despite the recent passage of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act.