Crime rate dropped by 15.5pct, says Zahid

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PARLIAMENT The use of the Prevention of Crime Act 2013 (Poca) had reduced serious crimes and organised crimes by 15.5 percent, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his capacity as home minister.

"In the 18 months of enforcement, we found that serious crimes and organised crimes have been declining," he said in a parliamentary written reply on Nov 17.

"This has been proven (based on) research on violent crimes (conducted) by the police for the 18 months before the implementation of Poca and after the law was enforced, (we found) a reduction of 15.5 percent (in serious crimes)," he said.

He was responding to Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong), who asked about the effectiveness of Poca and the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota).

Some quarters saw Poca as a revival of the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 as it allowed detention without trial for two years.

"Poca was amended in 2013 to resolve serious crimes and organised crimes following the abolition of ISA.

“We saw an increase in both crimes until the government was forced to strengthen existing laws," he said.

No arrests have been made under Pota, which was enforced on Sept 1, said Zahid.

He said the laws are enough to ensure the security and harmony of the nation.

The ministry will look into all the laws under its juridiction to ensure they are still relevant to close all the "loopholes", he added.



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