Asia Expats Forum

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Bernama) -- Most expatriates from Western nations living in Malaysia feel the country is safe and the risk of being hurt by a terrorist act or criminal attack is very low.

But 79 per cent of expatriates polled in an e-mail survey by "The Expat", a monthly magazine for the country's expatriate community, said purse snatching is a bigger problem in Malaysia than in their own country.

"Most of the crimes committed against expats were purse snatchings. Quite a few stated their homes or cars have been burglarised. Surprisingly, no one said they had their cars stolen, which seems to reflect a change from the situation a few years ago when car thefts were very common," said the magazine in its latest edition.

When it came to house burglary, the feeling was that the risk was only slightly higher in Malaysia, and one-third of the respondents said they felt it was the same risk here as in their own country.

The expatriates were also asked about police efficiency and only eight per cent of those surveyed considered the police to be efficient, another 45 per cent rated them as fair, while 51 per cent felt negative about police effectiveness.

"When they reported crimes to the police, several expats mentioned they experienced a lack of professionalism. Some had problems because the police couldn't speak English, while others claimed they got no response when they asked for assistance," said the magazine.

"In the last couple of years the police have been trying to improve their public image. This happens in many countries around the world. It seems that, as far as the expat community is concerned, they still have a way to go".

And as in previous surveys, expatriates in the country felt strongly that the quality of driving in Malaysia left much to be desired. An overwhelming 83 per cent felt the risk in Malaysia was higher than their own country.

Another finding of the survey was that expatriates felt "very uncomfortable" about raids by religious officials carried out in their midst against Muslims at entertainment outlets.

"Some 81 per cent felt it gave a negative perception of the country. An even higher percentage (85 per cent) felt that the raids created a negative image of Malaysia outside the country", the magazine said.

The magazine advised women to take care when walking with a handbag and keep it close at all times as well as to exercise particular care when crossing a street or passing nearby to a road or a pathway easily accessible to motorbikes.

But "The Expat" magazine said that on balance, even in a major city like Kuala Lumpur, crime is not a problem that should cause people to feel afraid.

"As in every large city, acting sensibly and using common sense can reduce your risk of being a victim".
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