Penang Police will place greater emphasis on technology and artificial intelligence (AI) while strengthening professionalism and integrity within the force to ensure the state’s security remains among the best in the country.
Penang Police Chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said the approach would form the foundation of the state’s policing strategy as law enforcement agencies face increasingly complex security challenges, particularly borderless cybercrime.
He said advancements in technology and AI must be fully utilised to improve operational efficiency, crime prevention and enforcement capabilities.
“Penang Police are open to collaborating with any organisation, including corporate entities with expertise in technology and AI, to help strengthen our capabilities.
“We must adapt to changing times because crime in the future will increasingly be concentrated in cyberspace, where borders no longer exist,” he said during a meeting with media practitioners at the Royal Malaysia Police Senior Officers’ Mess in Jalan Laha on Monday.
Dennis was recently appointed as Penang’s new police chief, replacing Datuk Azizee Ismail, who retired on Saturday.
The 57-year-old, who hails from Muar, Johor, has served with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for 32 years. Prior to his appointment, he served as Deputy Director of Forensics and Strategic Planning at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Bukit Aman.
Apart from embracing technology, Dennis stressed that professionalism and integrity among officers would remain a key priority to ensure all duties are carried out in accordance with the law and established procedures.
“We want every officer to perform their duties professionally and with integrity in order to maintain public confidence in the police force,” he said.
He added that Penang Police would continue strengthening cooperation with the public and the state government in efforts to preserve peace and security across the state.
According to Dennis, maintaining public safety is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement agencies but requires the active involvement of all stakeholders, in line with the police motto that emphasises close ties between the police and the community.
“The cooperation between the police and the people of Penang has been excellent. This is one of the factors contributing to the state’s strong safety record, which remains among the best in Malaysia.
“I would like to congratulate the people of Penang, the state government and the Federal Government for playing their respective roles in ensuring a safe environment,” he said.
Dennis also highlighted the importance of environmental management in crime prevention, referring to the Broken Window Theory, which suggests that neglected and poorly maintained areas are more likely to attract criminal activity.
He said efforts by local authorities to clear abandoned sites, cut overgrown grass, repair damaged structures and improve lighting could significantly reduce the risk of areas becoming crime hotspots.
“We will identify crime-prone areas and take proactive measures to ensure they become safe and welcoming places for the public once again,” he said.
The police chief also assured the public that officers would always be prepared to assist anyone facing an emergency, regardless of their background or appearance.
“If members of the public come to a police station seeking help during an emergency, officers must assist them and accept their reports.
“There should be no reason to turn away anyone seeking assistance, regardless of how they look or what they are wearing. In emergencies, our priority is to help first,” he said.
Dennis also reminded police personnel to prioritise the welfare and safety of the public, consistent with the force’s role as the agency entrusted with protecting the community.
At the same time, he expressed hope that the strong relationship between Penang Police and the media would continue to grow through effective communication channels, ensuring that safety-related information reaches the public quickly and accurately.
