DAP has pounced on two apparent errors in statistics linked to police work in Malaysia, saying this only reinforced the need for the force to restore "badly shattered" public confidence in its ability to combat crime.

In a statement today, chairperson Lim Kit Siang hit out at the Home Ministry and Malaysian police for issuing "conflicting" information on two counts.

Last week, Deputy Premier and Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Chor Chee Heung had claimed the police to population ratio was 1:3,000 (instead of 300) and that the force would have to be expanded to deal with the rising crime rate.

Lim claimed that his search for crime statistics had also revealed inconsistencies between the figures posted on the police website and that of Interpol.

"We call on the government to formulate a national policy plan to restore the badly-shattered public confidence in police capability, effectiveness and professionalism to reduce crime and fear of crime," he said.

"The policy - which must involve the full participation of community and civil society groups - should be the first step for major police reforms to make streets and homes safe from criminals."

He said such efforts should include the introduction of "effective, visible and modernised policing."

Discrepancies in data

Referrring to the statistics posted on the police website, he said these do not tally with the crime statistics for Malaysia that are found on the Interpol website.

"Last year, for example, there was a large variation of 29,930 offences representing a 20% difference in the crime statistics," he said. ( See chart )

"What is the reason for such a big variation when the sources of the Interpol crime statistics are the respective national police authorities?"

Such errors would do nothing to enhance public confidence in the professionalism of the Malaysian police, he noted.

Lim said that, while Malaysian police had achieved 37% success in solving reported crimes based on Interpol figures, this was "not a satisfactory figure".

He questioned whether the government's plan to recruit more police personnel would result in crime rates falling, as anticipated by Abdullah.

"This appears unlikely as the Inspector General of Police said on Monday that the new intake of 4,000 would beef up the Federal Reserve Unit and the Air Wing," he added.

"This will strengthen police capacity to protect the present regime, but will not contribute in any manner to restore a sense of security among Malaysians citizens."