KUALA LUMPUR: The increase in budget allocation for the National Key Results Area (NKRA) for Crime to RM591 million shows that the government is serious about tackling crime, be it tied to perception or reality, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said the 68.8% increase from the previous budget was because the “goal posts” have shifted beyond the crime index in the current times.

“[It is now about tackling] perception, sentiments and the reality. As long as the rakyat feel unsafe, we will continue to look at crimes which were not given much attention before, such as break-ins and crimes at shopping malls,” he said yesterday after chairing a meeting with the top officers of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to discuss the budget.

He said measures under NKRA-Crime Phase 2 will be announced soon and will include much more involvement and engagement with the public on the ground.

“Maybe under NKRA Phase 1, [the public] were not directly involved. But Budget 2013 reflects a greater involvement of the public,” he said.

Hishammuddin was referring to special allocations made to support residential associations to promote neighbourhood patrolling.

In the tabling of Budget 2013 last Friday, the prime minister announced an allocation of RM40 million to 4,025 residents associations registered under the Registrar of Societies Malaysia, which will receive RM10,000 each. Budget 2013 also allocated RM39 million to finance Rukun Tetangga activities to enhance the safety of 6,500 neighbourhoods.

Hishammuddin described Budget 2013 as “historic” for PDRM as it not only establishes the police force as an important institution in the country but also as a body to fulfil the people’s needs.

He lauded the move to increase the number of police officers. The budget did not state the specific number of officers who will be recruited. Hishammuddin said the last formal announcement of an increase in the police force was made after the racial riots of May 13, 1969.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the allocations under Budget 2013 provide a “boost” to the police force in carrying out their duties more effectively.

Tarani Palani is a writer at soon-to- be launched fz.com.

This article first appeared  in The Edge Financial Daily, on Oct 3, 2012.