Murders spike in Malaysia’s Melaka state amid spate of rapes and gang robberies

Murders shot up an unprecedented 150 per cent in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2022, according to police figures

Unarmed gang robberies were also up 88 per cent in the Peninsular Malaysia state, while rapes increased 17 per cent. The clearance rate also rose

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People walk through the Jonker Street Night Market in Melaka city last month. Nine murders were recorded in the state’s Melaka Tengah district, which encompasses Melaka city, in the first six months of this year. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 12:03pm, 18 Jul 2023

Malaysia’s Melaka state has seen a dramatic increase in the number of murders, rapes and unarmed gang robberies since the beginning of the year, according to the police.

Melaka police chief Deputy Commissioner Zainol Samah said there had been an unprecedented 150 per cent spike in murder cases from the beginning of the year until July 15, compared to the same period in 2022.

He said Melaka Tengah district recorded nine cases of murder compared with four last year, followed by one case in Jasin district where there was none last year.

Trishaw riders wait for customers on Jonker Walk in the Melaka Tengah District of Melaka city. Photo: Getty Images

“However, the solving rate of these murder cases was also remarkable,” he said after welcoming his deputy Senior Assistant Commissioner Md Nazri Zawawi at the Melaka police headquarters in Bukit Beruang here yesterday.

Zainol said unarmed gang robberies also showed an 88 per cent increase based on year-on-year data.

There were 45 cases of gang robberies reported between January 1 and July 15 compared with 24 cases previously, he added.

Zainol said there were also 17 per cent more rape cases with 35 reported compared with 30 previously.

Murders spike in Malaysia’s Melaka state amid spate of rapes and gang robberies

Murders shot up an unprecedented 150 per cent in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2022, according to police figures Unarmed gang robberies were also up 88 per cent in the Peninsular Malaysia state, while rapes increased 17 per cent. The clearance rate also rose

Murders shot up an unprecedented 150 per cent in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2022, according to police figures

Unarmed gang robberies were also up 88 per cent in the Peninsular Malaysia state, while rapes increased 17 per cent. The clearance rate also rose