The crime rate for the whole country dropped by 9.8 percent between January and September this year, said Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop today.     

He said the street crime index also went down, by 40.6 percent within the same period.     

He noted that a survey carried out by TNS Research International on public satisfaction towards the performance of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) showed an improvement of 12.8 percent over last year's figure.     

"The survey conducted in May this year showed that 55 percent were satisfied with PDRM's performance compared to 42.2 percent in May last year."     

Abu Seman said this when launching the Sabah-level Crime Prevention Team and Young Rela Squad, here.     

He said the Global Peace Index 2011 study by the Sdyney-based Institute for Economics and Peace had placed Malaysia as the 19th safest country out of 153.     

He added that Malaysia was also recognised as the most peaceful country in Southeast Asia and fourth in the Asia-Pacific region after New Zealand, Japan and Australia.     

- Bernama