Is Malaysia safe for tourists?
Crime in Malaysia
Violent crime against foreign tourists is less frequent in Malaysia;[13] however, pickpocketing and burglaries are common criminal activities directed against foreigners.[13] Other types of non-violent crime include credit card fraud and motor vehicle theft;[13] there is a high rate of credit card fraud.[13][14] Scams are a problem in Kuala Lumpur which involve card games and purchase of gold jewellery.[12]
Law enforcement in Malaysia
RELA Corps is a paramilitary civil volunteer corps formed by the Malaysian government. Their main duty is to check the travelling documents and immigration permits of foreigners in Malaysian cities, including tourists, visitors and migrants to reduce the increasing rate of illegal immigrants in Malaysia. RELA has the authority to deal with situations like policemen, such as raiding suspected streets or places such as factories, restaurants and even hotels.