The country recorded a 8.7 percent increase in the crime index, with Selangor topping the list for both petty and violent crimes.

A total of 87,582 cases were recorded between January and May this year, an increase of 7,006 cases from 80,576 cases in the corresponding period last year.

In a written reply to Parliamentary Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reported that the national index was high because Kuala Lumpur recorded high increases in crime incidences.

Kuala Lumpur recorded increases of 1,954 crime cases, Selangor 2,933 and Pahang 1,391.

Abdullah, replying in his capacity as Internal Security Minister, said that Sabah, Negeri Sembilan and Johor recorded decreases in crime.

Johor recorded the most substantial decrease at 847 less crime cases compared to the previous year.

ACA reports

According to a detailed chart of crime incidences, Kuala Lumpur recorded 27 murder cases in the first half of this year (from 38 cases the first half of last year), 97 rape cases (61), 1,605 robberies (1,344), 212 group armed robberies (225), 15 single armed robberies (9), 2,409 theft cases (1,883), 3,103 motorcycle thefts (2,779) and 945 car thefts (910).

In total, Kuala Lumpur recorded 2,906 violent crime cases and 9,489 petty crime cases.

Selangor recorded 55 murder cases (58), 280 rape cases (175), 2,759 robberies (2,679), 425 group armed robberies (337), 47 single armed robberies (34), 3,918 theft cases (3,534), 7,918 motorcycle thefts (6,273) and 1,603 car thefts (1,519).

Johor recorded 25 murder cases (22), 158 rape cases (136), 1,334 robberies (1,503), 235 group armed robberies (234), 2 single armed robberies (26), 1,456 theft cases (1,612), 4,569 motorcycle thefts (4,469) and 908 car thefts (789).

Perlis recorded the lowest crime incidences with a total of 350 crime cases recorded. No murders were recorded this year. There were two cases last year.

Nationwide, 237 murder cases were reported this year, from 248 the previous year.

Punitive action

Meanwhile, in another written reply to Lim, Abdullah reported that the Anti-Corruption Agency opened 1,317 cases last year.

The agency has completed investigation into 587 cases, while the remaining 730 cases are still under investigation.

Abdullah added that punitive action was taken in 110 cases. Sarawak recorded the highest number of investigations made, at 130 cases, followed by Johor (121), Selangor (111), Sabah (110) and Kuala Lumpur (100).

Labuan recorded the lowest number of cases (12) followed by Perlis (32).

Parliament ended its current session today and will resume on August 22.