by Theleaders | September 27, 2026 5:31 pm
BUTTERWORTH, Sept 27 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will expand its Whitening The Black Spot initiative nationwide in stages, beginning with Penang, said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail.
“We are doing it contingent by contingent through engagements and town halls in each district. We will work with all agencies, the community, NGOs and local leadership to resolve issues,” he told reporters after the initiative’s Penang Contingent launch at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth Convention Centre.
Also present were Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin, Penang police chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng and Mohd Khalid’s wife Puan Sri Munirah Che Rose.
Mohd Khalid said the Penang phase will run for a month before being expanded to black spots in other states battling high crime rates or pressing security issues.
He emphasised that the initiative is a comprehensive preventive approach covering patrols, focused operations, CCTV system improvements, gotong-royong, community programmes, safety education and social intervention.
He added that 41 departments and agencies have been mobilised through an integrated Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach to create a safer environment in Penang.
“It emphasises the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), such as lighting, cleanliness, maintenance, environmental design and public facilities, to close off spaces and opportunities for crime,” he said.
Mohd Khalid said the pilot locations are Bukit Jambul, Sungai Nibong, Kampung Ujong Batu, Permatang Pauh, Sungai Rambai, Pondok Upeh and Bukit Panchor.
“We need to see whether crime rates drop, whether the areas become more orderly, whether the police presence is increasingly felt and whether the community truly feels safer. Real success is change that can be seen, felt and believed in by the whole community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lim said Whitening the Blackspot will target areas deemed unsafe, high-risk and uncomfortable, such as dark, dirty spots, abandoned buildings and poorly maintained recreational areas.
He said the three main goals are to transform blackspots into safer spaces, cut crime opportunities in hotspots, and build more harmonious, safe neighbourhoods.
“For example, an abandoned village building may have become a haunt for drug addicts, or a park may have unkempt play areas with no lighting, broken benches and dark, dirty spots. We want to turn these into clean, well-lit spaces the community can use safely,” he said.
Lim said district police chiefs across five Penang districts have proposed 38 programmes under the initiative: six in Northeast Penang, eight in Southwest Penang, six in North Seberang Perai, 13 in Central Seberang Perai and five in South Seberang Perai.
The four objectives to be met within a month are improving crime prevention, strengthening cross-agency cooperation, transforming high-risk areas into safe spaces, and empowering community involvement.
“PDRM cannot succeed alone. To make this project work, we need local communities, federal and state agencies, elected representatives, local authorities, the private sector and NGOs. Everyone must play their part, because safety is a shared responsibility,” he said.
Source URL: https://theleaders-online.com/police-target-dark-abandoned-and-neglected-spots-in-nationwide-crime-drive-starting-with-penang/
Copyright ©2026 The Leaders Online unless otherwise noted.