Kelantan emerges as second safest state in Malaysia, defying stereotypes - Deputy MB

KOTA BHARU – Kelantan ranks as the second safest state in Malaysia after Sabah based on the crime index-to-population ratio.

Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar, Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said that although social issues such as drug abuse are frequently raised about the state, any assessment must be fair and based on verified data.

“Many negative perceptions are thrown at this state, but according to the police report, Kelantan is the second safest state after Sabah, with a crime index ratio of 96 crimes per 100,000 residents.

“This proves that the safety level in Kelantan is very good and should not be judged based on one or two isolated incidents,” he said.

He made the statement while responding to a supplementary question by Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim during the Kelantan state legislative assembly sitting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex on Tuesday.

Fadzli said that as a border state, Kelantan faces frontline threats such as drug issues—especially the abuse of methamphetamine pills—and cross-border crimes, but the responsibility should not rest solely on the state government.

“When we talk about social problems, they are not unique to Kelantan—these issues affect the entire country and even the world. Our youths are just like those in other states; they are all our fellow citizens.

“We must be fairer in our assessment and not simply condemn the state,” he added.

He said the implementation of the "Membangun Bersama Islam" policy has contributed to the moral development of the people and served as a barrier against moral decline.

According to him, findings from the Taqwa Social Index study also indicated encouraging achievements, reflecting strong moral values among Kelantan's population.

“We don’t assess only based on mosques, but also education, culture, lifestyle, and the community as a whole.

“We do not deny that there are weaknesses, but efforts to improve are ongoing,” he said.