The Home Ministry has blamed anti-government demonstrations, including those against the Sedition Act, for Malaysia's drop in the Global Peace Index (GPI) rankings.

"Among the reasons Malaysia's ranking dropped from 19th spot in 2011 to 33rd spot in 2014, is due to demonstrations caused by disatisfactions with the government's policies and regulations.

"Examples include the Kita Lawan demonstrations, Gerakan Hapuskan Akta Hasutan's (GHAH) demonstration, (as well as) Kelantan oil royalties, anti-Lynas and Aman Mahasiswa student demonstrations," the ministry said.

It should be noted that the Kita Lawan movement only began this year, so it is unclear how it affected the 2014 GPI rankings.

The Home Ministry said this in a written reply to a question from Ahmad Hamzah (BN-Jasin) to improve Malaysia's standing in the peace index.

"To ensure peace and security in the country, the government has taken proactive steps by enacting acts such as the Peaceful Assembly Act 2014, Sedition Act (amended) 2015, Prevention of Crime Act (Amended) 2015, and the Prevention of Terrorism Act," the ministry said.

It added that the government's efforts have been proven successful, with the crime index for 2014 falling 12.6 percent from the initial five percent drop forecasted.

It also cited a Frust & Sullivan survey in 2014, which found the people's satisfaction with police had risen from 80 percent to 92.5 percent.