Malaysia Among World's Safest Tourist Destinations

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Foreign tourists have no worry coming to Malaysia because the country is among the safest destinations in the world to visit, Tourism Malaysia Director-General Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab said.
He said the crime rate in Malaysia was still low compared to those in some developed countries in Europe like in Paris, France, where the rate was so high that people had to queue to lodge police reports.
He gave a scenario in Milan, Italy as an example where tourists who lost their luggage were approached by the thieves who demanded payment for the return of the baggage.
"Malaysia is a safe place where even a petty crime gets reported," he told reporters after opening the general meeting of the Association of Malaysian Bumiputera Adventure and Travel Companies (Bumitra) here today.
He was reacting to crime reports by the media, whether they would adversely affect promotions for the Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

tunku : i admit that the crime rate had increased tremendously compare to 10-20years ago but malaysia is very much still safe place to be. our streets are much safer than the streets in new york,LA etc.the media here writes too much on crime as there's nothing else much for them to report as the are hands are tied up to write about politics, so i guess the spend more time on other reports such as crime.I'm not saying is not good but too much coverage creates unnecessary tension.