KUALA LUMPUR: The police force is planning to set up a new department in Bukit Aman to focus on digital crime to keep up with the ever-changing technological landscape, says Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.

The Inspector-General of Police said the department would focus on cybertechnology and the challenges brought on by digitalised crime and increasingly complex technologies.

“It cannot be denied that the duties and responsibilities of the police in the context of crime are now increasingly more challenging and complex.

“Digital technology has revolutionised the world and the landscape of our daily lives,” he said at the 217th Police Day celebrations at the Police Training Centre here yesterday.

He said technology has also contributed to a variety of new crime trends, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

“The police need to set up a department with assets and equipment in line with the advancement of modern policing technology.

“This is why we intend to establish a new department based on cybertechnology,” he said.

Currently, cyber and digitalised crimes are under the jurisdiction of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID).

Razarudin said 18,221 operations were conducted by the CCID last year, leading to the arrest of 22,911 people for various commercial crimes.

“In line with the Police Act 1967, this institution is committed to defending national security and public order.

“The expectations from the community and government are high in heading towards zero crime, and this motivates us to work hard to combat crime.”

Razarudin said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) also achieved a 94.74% arrest rate last year through 52,444 indexed crime cases.

“It resolved 80.29% of investigation papers with a 58.71% charge rate.

“In drug eradication efforts, the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) busted 273 syndicates and arrested 908 individuals nationwide while also making seizures worth RM482.95mil in 2023,” he said.

He added that 179,865 arrests involving 158,493 cases were made by the NCID in accordance with the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Poisons Act 1952 and Drug Addicts (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983.

He said the Internal Security and Public Order Department also mobilised all its elements in various integrated operations, especially involving national border control.

“A total of 5,646 arrests were made with a total seizure value of RM979.89mil through 7,355 cases reported in 2023.

“A total of 1,395 smuggling cases were recorded and 1,364 people were arrested for various offences, while seizures worth RM508.76mil were made last year,” he added.

On wildlife protection, the IGP said through Op Khazanah, a total of 73 cases were reported where 111 individuals were arrested and seizures worth RM18.32mil were made.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/26/new-unit-to-tackle-high-tech-crimes