Nearly 97,000 foreigners arrested for crimes since 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities arrested 96,844 foreigners for various criminal offences nationwide between 2024 and September this year, reflecting a year-on-year upward trend.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the total comprised 33,136 arrests in 2024, before rising to 36,740 in 2025.

This represented an increase of 3,604 arrests, or 10.9 per cent, from the previous year.

"From January to September this year, 26,968 arrests of foreigners involved in criminal offences were recorded.

"The police will take stern action against any violation of the law and criminal acts involving foreigners in this country," he said in a statement today.

Khalid said the police has strengthened cooperation with other government agencies through integrated operations, intelligence sharing and more effective enforcement.

"In these actions, the police upholds the principle of equality before the law, whereby everyone, regardless of status, position or nationality, is subject to the laws of the country," he said.

The public and local communities are urged to continue acting as strategic partners by channelling information on criminal activities to the authorities to aid crime prevention and maintain public safety and order.