Malaysia’s rising peace ranking doesn’t mean we can relax

From P Sundramoorthy

Malaysia’s rise to 12th place in the Global Peace Index (GPI), making it one of Asia’s safest nations, is a significant achievement that deserves recognition.

In an increasingly volatile global environment marked by armed conflicts, transnational crime, political instability and economic uncertainty, Malaysia’s continued standing among the world’s most peaceful countries reflects the collective efforts of many institutions entrusted with maintaining public order and the rule of law.

From a criminological perspective, this achievement should not be viewed merely as an international accolade but as evidence that sustained investments in crime prevention, public safety and effective governance can produce tangible results.

It is also a reminder that peace is never permanent. It must be constantly protected, nurtured and strengthened.

Foremost among those deserving commendation are the police, who remain the frontline institution responsible for preventing crime, maintaining public order, responding to emergencies and reassuring communities.

Their relentless efforts in combating organised crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, commercial fraud and violent offences have contributed significantly to creating a relatively safe environment for Malaysians and visitors alike.

Equally deserving of recognition are the other agencies within Malaysia’s criminal justice system. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, immigration department, customs department, prisons department, prosecution services, judiciary, enforcement agencies and local authorities all play complementary roles in safeguarding public security.

Crime control is never solely the responsibility of a single institution. Rather, it is the product of coordinated efforts across multiple agencies, each fulfilling its mandate within an integrated criminal justice framework.

However, criminology also teaches us that crime trends are dynamic. Success today does not guarantee success tomorrow.

Complacency remains one of the greatest threats to public safety. Criminals continuously adapt to technological advancements, exploit legal loopholes and capitalise on social vulnerabilities.

Cyber-enabled fraud, online scams, identity theft, financial crimes, organised syndicates and emerging forms of transnational crime continue to evolve at an alarming pace.

Malaysia therefore cannot afford to interpret its improved ranking as a reason to ease its efforts. Instead, this achievement should serve as a platform to strive for even higher standards of policing, criminal justice administration and crime prevention.

Maintaining peace requires continuous innovation, intelligence-led policing, stronger inter-agency cooperation, greater public engagement and evidence-based policymaking.

One important lesson from criminological research is that public confidence in criminal justice institutions is itself a powerful crime prevention tool.

Citizens are more likely to cooperate with law enforcement, report crimes, serve as witnesses and comply with the law when they perceive institutions to be professional, transparent and accountable.

Legitimacy, fairness and procedural justice remain critical pillars of effective policing.

In this regard, the time has come for Malaysia to establish the long-overdue criminal justice commission. Such a commission should not be viewed as punitive or adversarial towards law enforcement agencies.

Rather, it should function as an independent oversight and policy body that strengthens institutional performance across the criminal justice system.

An independent criminal justice commission could monitor systemic issues, facilitate coordination among agencies, recommend reforms, evaluate criminal justice outcomes, promote professional standards and ensure greater accountability without undermining operational independence.

More importantly, it would reinforce public trust by demonstrating that all criminal justice institutions remain subject to appropriate oversight and continuous improvement.

Many advanced criminal justice systems around the world recognise that independent oversight enhances rather than weakens policing.

Accountability and professionalism are not opposing concepts; they are mutually reinforcing. Agencies that operate transparently and are open to constructive evaluation often enjoy greater public legitimacy and ultimately perform more effectively.

At the same time, Malaysia should continue investing in crime prevention strategies that extend beyond traditional law enforcement.

Evidence consistently shows that addressing the root causes of crime including youth unemployment, educational disparities, substance abuse, social exclusion and community disorganisation produce more sustainable long-term reductions in offences.

Prevention remains considerably more cost-effective than punishment alone.

The country’s growing digital economy also demands greater preparedness against cybercrime and online fraud which increasingly threaten public confidence and national security.

Strengthening digital policing capabilities, enhancing cybersecurity awareness, improving financial intelligence and fostering international cooperation will become even more critical in the years ahead.

Ultimately, Malaysia’s improved standing in the Global Peace Index should inspire both pride and responsibility. It reflects years of dedicated service by the police, criminal justice agencies, public servants and law-abiding citizens.

Yet sustaining and indeed improving this position requires an unwavering commitment to continuous reform, institutional excellence and evidence-based policymaking.

Peace should never be measured solely by the absence of crime. It is equally reflected in public confidence, institutional integrity, access to justice and the strength of the rule of law.

If Malaysia remains committed to these principles while embracing necessary reforms such as the establishment of a criminal justice commission, there is every reason to believe that the nation can not only maintain its position among the world’s safest countries but aspire to rank even higher in the years to come.

P Sundramoorthy is a criminologist at the Centre for Policy Research at Universiti Sains Malaysia. He is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.