HOME MINSTER SEEKS COMMUNITY'S HELP TO REDUCE CRIME

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun
Hussein wants the community to contribute efforts in resolving issues of mutual
interest and strive in reducing street crimes to 20 per cent as desired by 2010.

He said the responsibility of fighting crime throughout the country to
ensure peace, security and prosperity should not only be shouldered by the
government but also the community so that the approach adopted in curbing crime
would be effective.

"I hope every member of the community can channel information and feedback
on areas which are crime-prone that need to be given attention through the iKDN
portal (www.ikdn.org or www.ikdn.gov.my)," he said in a statement, here Tuesday.

He said members of the public could also use the facsimile line at number
03-88894787 or send short messaging service (SMS) at the number 019-3888993
to channel the information and feedback concerned.

On June 27, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak outlined the agenda on
tackling crime as one of the national Key Result Areas (KRA) by reducing the
street crime rate by 20 per cent by the end of 2010.

Hishammuddin is the lead minister in the KRA on crime prevention.

Meanwhile Kuala Lumpur Police Chief, Muhammad Sabtu Osman said
police would strengthen the "Anti Snatch-Theft Team" which used to be mobilised
to carry out patrols in the federal capital in efforts to reduce street crime.

He said the team which involved three or four policemen on motorcycles would
be deployed to carry out patrols more often especially in areas which were
identified as crime prone.

Police had identified areas which were becoming targets of criminals
following an integrated operation carried out almost three months ago and
efforts to reduce the crime rate would continue to be intensified, he told
reporters.

-- BERNAMA