KUALA LUMPUR: The Toyota Hilux topped the list of the most stolen private cars with 204 units, surpassing the usual target that is the Proton Wira with only 170 units in 2022.
Other top most stolen cars included the Perodua Kancil (113), Perodua Myvi (101), Proton Iswara (101), Honda City (97), Proton Waja (69), Honda Civic (54), Proton Saga (53) and Ford Ranger (44).
However, Road and Transport Department (JPJ) enforcement division senior director Datuk Lokman Jamaan said there had been a 57.44% reduction in the rate of vehicle thefts from 10,226 (2019) to 4,352 (2022).
Lokman, who is also the Vehicle Theft Reduction Council of Malaysia Bhd (VTREC) acting chairman, also said this was part of the downward trend seen in the statistics over the past decade (2013 to 2022).
“Overall thefts in Malaysia have reduced by 89% from 2013 (38,322) to 2022 (4,352) for all types of vehicles including motorcycles, private cars and commercial vehicles.
“In 2013, every 14 minutes one vehicle was stolen compared to one vehicle every two hours in 2022.
“This shows the significance in the downward trend, which is the result of the collaboration among the police, JPJ, Customs Department, agencies and insurance companies,” he said on Wednesday. (Feb 28).
Lokman said syndicates often wanted to bring the cars out of the country and vehicle theft affected the country and owners due to losses incurred, while insurance companies had to make big payouts.
“At present, many carmakers have improved their anti-theft technology but the careless behaviour of vehicle owners themselves is often the main contributor to the incident especially when they leave the engine switched on while pumping fuel or going into the convenient stores.
“As such, awareness campaigns are vital to help promote vehicle theft prevention,” he said.
He added that JPJ takes vehicle thefts very seriously including cases of cloned vehicles, cut-and-join vehicles, and the use of counterfeit documents, thus is working to reduce the crime in the country through effective enforcement and preventive measures.
Earlier Lokman had officially launched the VTREC Nationwide Public Vehicle Theft Awareness Campaign 2024 at Sunway Velocity Mall, here in Cheras.
The yearlong nationwide campaign is aimed at raising public awareness and engagement.
Since its incorporation in 2007, VTREC has been working with stakeholders to reduce the rate of vehicle theft in the country.
In ensuring more participation and awareness of the campaign features token prizes for various contests, quizzes and lucky draws.
