“Some people do not want to acknowledge the fact that the police have discharged their duties well.

“At the same time, some media also do not want to acknowledge this fact and achievement,” he said when replying to a question from Senator Chia Song Cheng in the Dewan Negara today.

Chia wanted to know the crime statistics for the whole country and the Home Ministry’s efforts to improve public perception of the fight against crime.

Zahid, who is also the home minister, said the drop in the crime index was the result of crime-reduction programmes undertaken by the police through various approaches, including prevention, combating and prosecution.

“The police always strive to reduce crime and are committed to cooperating with all enforcement agencies to achieve targets,” he said.

Replying to a supplementary question from Senator Megat Zulkarnain Wan Omardin on the mass media’s alleged portrayal of negative news on national security, Zahid said negative news did not necessarily mean that it was associated with evil intentions.

“Despite differences of opinion, facts should be acknowledged. Matters should be evaluated objectively by society,” he said.

Zahid said various measures were taken to combat crime, including modernising crime-prevention efforts, increasing assets and equipment such as by installing high-tech closed-circuit television cameras in risk-prone areas, and collaborating with the local authorities.