KUALA LUMPUR — Crime in Malaysia is more often calculated than random, with most victims unknowingly falling into one of three categories, says veteran crime analyst Kamal Affendi Hashim.
Speaking on the Scoop Insight podcast, Kamal emphasised that understanding how criminals choose their targets is essential to reducing personal risk.
“A victim by chance is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said
“A victim by choice is specifically targeted — criminals observe your routines, study your weaknesses, and strike when you’re least able to resist.
“A compliant victim becomes entangled through relationships or disputes, making them easier to exploit.”
Kamal noted that most criminals rarely act on impulse.
“They plan. They study. They gather information about your habits, movements and vulnerabilities. Even something as simple as coming home at the same time every day can make you a predictable target.”
He added that criminal motives and methods often fall into distinct patterns.
“Pathological offenders kill due to psychological disorders or compulsions, so their actions defy rational explanation.
“Relational murders are driven by personal ties — family, friendships, romantic links.
“Organisational killings are motivated by profit, revenge, or to protect criminal operations,” he said.
Kamal urged Malaysians to adopt simple preventive measures.
“Lock your doors, vary your routes, and avoid being predictable. Criminals prefer the easiest path. If you don’t make it easy for them, they’ll usually move on.”
However, he also warned against what he described as the nation’s “silent complicity”, where bystanders witness crimes or domestic abuse but choose not to act.
“We Malaysians are quick to record but slow to report. When we see violence and do nothing, we’re not neutral — we’re empowering the aggressor.
“Our silence gives criminals the confidence to continue,” he said.
He added that domestic abuse, in particular, often escalates because early warning signs go unheeded.
“Every scream, every cry is a chance to intervene. But when we dismiss it as ‘not our business’, days later someone ends up dead.
“Then we all rush to blame the police — but where were we?”
Kamal said that crime prevention requires both individual vigilance and collective responsibility.
“Crime does not discriminate. Whether you’re B40, M40 or T20, anyone can fall victim.
“Prevention, intervention and rehabilitation are the three pillars of reducing crime. It only takes seconds to call 999.
“Don’t wait until it’s too late and then blame the authorities. Ask yourself — are you upholding the law, or siding with the criminal through your silence?”
He concluded that knowing how criminals select their victims — and understanding the mindset behind different types of offenders — can help individuals become less vulnerable.
“That awareness could one day save your life.”
Separately, police have urged the public to play a more active role in crime prevention, highlighting tools such as the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol app, which has been credited with helping reduce house break-ins during festive seasons.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, reported violent and property crimes rose by three per cent in 2024 to 67,984 cases — including 258 murders and 1,914 rapes.
The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry also reported a surge in domestic violence, with 7,116 cases recorded last year compared to 5,507 in 2023.
While Malaysia’s overall homicide rate has declined slightly — from 0.76 per 100,000 people in 2020 to 0.72 in 2024 — surveys show that one in three Malaysians still believe crime in their neighbourhoods is on the rise. – July 20, 2025