Kuala lumpur: An artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of 1.2 million criminal case records from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has revealed that drug abuse is the main ‘gateway’ to more serious crimes in the country. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution, who disclosed the findings, said that most serious crimes committed by offenders also involved three main offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act – drug addiction under Section 15(1), possession of small quantities of drugs under Section 12(2), and repeat drug-related offences under Section 39C.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saifuddin explained that the data highlights a pattern in criminal activities within Malaysia, showing a strong correlation between drug offences and other serious crimes. The AI analysis showed that individuals involved in offences under Section 15(1) have the potential to commit 31 other crimes, while those under Section 12(2) are linked to 11 additional crimes such as robbery and extortion.
Saifuddin emphasized the importance of addressing the root cause of crime, which is the involvement in drug-related offences, to effectively combat crime in Malaysia. He mentioned that the findings of the AI analysis would support the development of stronger policies and strategies aimed at reducing drug-related crime, utilizing data already available to the PDRM.
The Home Minister also noted that resolving drug-related issues could alleviate the overcrowding in Malaysian prisons, as a significant number of inmates are incarcerated for drug-related offences. He highlighted that the use of AI in crime data analysis is part of the Home Ministry’s (KDN) strategy to leverage technological advancements to improve public service delivery.
The initiative to integrate AI into PDRM’s operations was facilitated by KDN’s extensive data resources, gathered from various agencies such as the Immigration Department and the National Registration Department. Saifuddin added that KDN has been proactive in equipping its officers with AI skills by sending them to courses at local universities and institutions like Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and MIMOS Berhad. These courses expose the officers to AI tools like ChatGPT, Deepseek, and Gemini, enhancing their ability to utilize technology in their work.