Engagements between the police and public are the way forward to improve an overall perception of safety and security, based on the force's achievements in crime reduction efforts, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

Speaking at a Home Ministry-hosted forum in Kuala Lumpur, Zahid said more engagement was necessary to translate the drop in crime statistics over the past six years to an improved public perception of their safety.

"This is a very big challenge because the public does not believe the government’s crime statistics.

"This has a lot to do with perception. In this situation the way forward is to change the perception," said Zahid, who is also the home minister, at the forum titled "Addressing Perception On Safety And Security" held at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur...