KUALA LUMPUR – A vehicle is stolen every one hour and 15 minutes in Malaysia, according to Vehicle Theft Reduction Council of Malaysia Bhd (VTREC) coordinator Mas Tina Abdul Hamid.
A study conducted by VTREC found that 20 vehicles were stolen each day last year, she added.
“However, the number has dropped following close cooperation between VTREC, police and other agencies.”
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director (intelligence/ operations) Datuk Dev Kumar said the number of reported vehicle theft cases nationwide shows a decline each year.
“There were 21,578 vehicle theft cases reported last year compared with 30,868 in 2019, showing an overall decline of 30%.
“The number (last year) involved the theft of 4,596 cars, 16,057 motorcycles, and 925 lorries, vans and heavy vehicles.”
Dev said action has been taken under the Crime Prevention Act 1959 against 1,215 members of vehicle theft syndicates since 2016, apart from members who have been charged in court for the same offence.
The number comprised 753 individuals who stole motorcycles and 422 who stole cars, while the rest stole other vehicles. – Bernama, April 8, 2021
