PDRM Open Data · data.gov.my · CC BY 4.0
Car Theft Statistics Malaysia 2024
Official PDRM data: 3,245 cars stolen in 2023. Selangor, KL and Johor account for 60% of all thefts. Is your state high risk?
Quick Answer
Which states have the highest car theft in Malaysia?
Selangor (1,032 cases in 2023), W.P. Kuala Lumpur (502), and Johor (415) are the top 3. Together they account for 60% of all national thefts. Nationally, car theft has declined 69% since 2016 (from 10,607 to 3,245) — but rose slightly in 2022-2023. Only comprehensive car insurance covers theft — compare 16 insurers on Bjak.my. Source: PDRM data.gov.my (CC BY 4.0).
National Car Theft Trend 2016–2023
| Year | Cars Stolen | Change from Previous Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 10,607 | — |
| 2017 | 8,480 | -20.1% |
| 2018 | 7,413 | -12.6% |
| 2019 | 6,817 | -8.0% |
| 2020 | 4,599 | -32.5% |
| 2021 | 2,849 | -38.1% |
| 2022 | 3,271 | +14.8% |
| 2023 * | 3,245 | -0.8% |
* Latest available data. Source: PDRM crime_district.csv via data.gov.my (CC BY 4.0). Category: theft_vehicle_motorcar.
Car Theft by State — 2023 Ranking
| # | State | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | % of National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Selangor | 1,032 | 1,051 | 973 | 31.8% |
| 2 | W.P. Kuala Lumpur | 502 | 534 | 613 | 15.5% |
| 3 | Johor | 415 | 429 | 400 | 12.8% |
| 4 | Sarawak | 259 | 278 | 136 | 8.0% |
| 5 | Kedah | 198 | 172 | 140 | 6.1% |
| 6 | Perak | 194 | 196 | 121 | 6.0% |
| 7 | Pulau Pinang | 153 | 142 | 97 | 4.7% |
| 8 | Kelantan | 128 | 122 | 73 | 3.9% |
| 9 | Sabah | 103 | 105 | 70 | 3.2% |
| 10 | Pahang | 99 | 89 | 69 | 3.1% |
| 11 | Negeri Sembilan | 79 | 81 | 62 | 2.4% |
| 12 | Melaka | 53 | 26 | 29 | 1.6% |
| 13 | Terengganu | 26 | 38 | 63 | 0.8% |
| 14 | Perlis | 4 | 8 | 3 | 0.1% |
Source: PDRM crime_district.csv via data.gov.my (CC BY 4.0). W.P. Labuan and Putrajaya not recorded for this crime category.
Does Car Insurance Cover Theft?
Does NOT cover theft of your own vehicle. Only covers damage you cause to others.
Covers theft, fire, and damage to your own car — essential in high-theft states like Selangor and KL.
If you live in a high-theft state, comprehensive insurance is strongly recommended. Compare 16 BNM-licensed insurers on Bjak — prices differ by hundreds of ringgit for the same coverage.
Protect Your Car — Compare Comprehensive Plans
16 BNM-licensed insurers. Theft coverage included. Prices from RM300/year.
Car Theft Data by State
Selangor
2023: 1,032 thefts
W.P. Kuala Lumpur
2023: 502 thefts
Johor
2023: 415 thefts
Sarawak
2023: 259 thefts
Kedah
2023: 198 thefts
Perak
2023: 194 thefts
Pulau Pinang
2023: 153 thefts
Kelantan
2023: 128 thefts
Sabah
2023: 103 thefts
Pahang
2023: 99 thefts
Negeri Sembilan
2023: 79 thefts
Melaka
2023: 53 thefts
Terengganu
2023: 26 thefts
Perlis
2023: 4 thefts
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state has the highest car theft rate in Malaysia?
Selangor has the highest car theft rate in Malaysia — 1,032 cases in 2023, representing 32% of all national thefts. Selangor is followed by W.P. Kuala Lumpur (502 cases) and Johor (415 cases). Together, Selangor and KL account for nearly half of all car thefts in Malaysia. Source: PDRM crime_district.csv via data.gov.my.
Is car theft in Malaysia increasing or decreasing?
Car theft in Malaysia decreased dramatically from 10,607 cases in 2016 to a low of 2,849 in 2021 — a 73% reduction. However, thefts increased slightly in 2022 (3,271) and 2023 (3,245), suggesting the downward trend has levelled off. Several states including Sarawak, Kedah, Kelantan, and Melaka recorded notable increases from 2021 to 2023.
Does car insurance cover theft in Malaysia?
Only comprehensive car insurance covers theft in Malaysia. Third-party insurance does NOT cover theft or damage to your own vehicle. If you live in a high-theft state like Selangor or KL, comprehensive insurance is strongly recommended. You can compare comprehensive plans from 16 BNM-licensed insurers on Bjak.my.
What is the source of Malaysia car theft statistics?
The data is from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) crime statistics dataset — crime_district.csv — published on the Malaysian government open data portal data.gov.my under the CC BY 4.0 license. The dataset covers 2016–2023 and includes theft by state and district.
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