CRIME IN TOURISM : PICKPOCKETS IN MALACCA

CRIME IN TOURISM:
PICKPOCKETS IN MALACCA

CHEK MUHAMMAD HAFIZZUDDIN
CHEK ALIAS

A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the
requirement for the degree of

Bachelor of Tourism Management

JANUARY 2022

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, praise and appreciation to God, the Almighty, for His
showers of blessings during my study effort, which enabled me to complete the
research. Then, my heartfelt gratitude goes to my Heaven, my father and mother,
Mr. Chek Alias, and Mrs. Ramlah Dollah, for understanding and unconditionally
supporting me even though I spend more time with my research than with them.
Next, my greatest gratitude, appreciation, and thanks go to my research supervisor,
Dr. Muna Maryam binti Azmy, for her patience, devotion, and guidance during
this challenging journey. I will always remember in my heart the unending
encouragement and support that you all have given me in finishing this adventure.
She often mentioned that if we want the best results, we must put in the most effort.
That phrase inspired me! Thank you for educating me from methodology class to
becoming my research supervisor. One year and six months is a long time, and we
dealt with it online, with no face-to-face encounters, which was the best moment
of my life.

My heartfelt thanks also go out to my many friends - Siti Nor Mahani,
Suganthini, Muhammad Aizat, Muhammad Hadi, Aira Najiah, Su Phada, and
many more whose names I can't recall but I will always remember. My buddies
are always willing to offer their thoughts, and recommendations to make my
research more fascinating. I am grateful to ASP Muhammad Badrul Hisyam bin
Othman from Malacca Police Contingent Headquarters for sharing his expertise
and allowing me to obtain material for my study. Thank you, Sir for your attention.
Finally, I'd want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped me accomplish
the research work, whether directly or indirectly.

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Table of Contents

PAGES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .............................................................................................ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................iii
LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... v
LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... v
LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................................... v
ABSTRAK ......................................................................................................................vi
ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................vii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.............................................................................1-11
1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Problem Statements................................................................................................. 6
1.3 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 8
1.4 Research Objectives ................................................................................................ 8
1.5 Terms Definition ..................................................................................................... 9
1.5.1 Tourism .......................................................................................................... 9
1.5.2 Tourist ............................................................................................................ 9
1.5.3 Pickpocketing ................................................................................................. 9
1.5.4 Decision Making .......................................................................................... 10
1.6 Scopes and Delimitations of Study ...................................................................... 10
1.7 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................... 11

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEWS ...........................................................12-28
2.1 Crime in Tourism .................................................................................................. 12
2.2 Malacca as Tourism Attraction ............................................................................ 16
2.3 Tourism and Pickpocket Issue .............................................................................. 19
2.4 Development of the Conceptual Framework ....................................................... 24

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ........................................................................29-35
3.1 Description of Research Approach/Design .......................................................... 29
3.2 Selection of Subject and Respondent ................................................................... 30
3.2.1 Item Representing Demographic Profile...................................................... 30
3.3 Instrumentation...................................................................................................... 31
3.3.1 Questionnaire Design ................................................................................... 31
3.3.2 Interview Question Design........................................................................... 32
3.3.3 Sampling Method ......................................................................................... 33
3.4 Data Collection and Procedure ............................................................................. 33
3.5 Data Processing and Analysis .............................................................................. 34

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CHAPTER 4: FINDING .........................................................................................36-66
4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 36
4.2 Content Analysis .................................................................................................. 37
4.2.1 Crime Rate of Pickpockets in Malacca in Recent Years............................. 38
4.2.2 Solution by The Authorities to Overcome the Problem.............................. 39
4.2.3 Pickpocket Hotspots in The Malacca Region ............................................. 43
4.3 Descriptive Analysis ............................................................................................ 47
4.3.1.1 Demographic Analysis of Respondents ................................................... 48
4.3.1.2 Impact on Decision-Making to Visit Malacca ......................................... 51
4.3.1.3 Correlation between Demography Variables and Impact Statements ..... 57
4.3.1.4 Reliability Of Impact Statements ............................................................ 61
4.4 Summary of Finding ............................................................................................ 63

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION ..............................................................................67-70
5.1 Introduction........................................................................................................ 67
5.2 Implications ....................................................................................................... 67
5.3 Limitation and Suggestion for Future Research ................................................ 69
5.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 70

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................71-76
APPENDIX ..............................................................................................................77-86

i. Questionnaire Draft ................................................................................................ 77
ii. Interview Transcript ............................................................................................... 82
iii. Photos ..................................................................................................................... 85
iv. Gantt Chart.............................................................................................................. 86

iv

LIST OF TABLES PAGES
45
1 Frequency and percentage of locations voted as 48
pickpocket hotspots in Malacca by respondents 51
57
2 Frequency and Percentage of Respondents Demography
3 Data analysis of Impact of Pickpocket Crime Rate on 61

Tourist Decision-Making to Visit Malacca PAGES
4 Correlation between Gender and Age Variables and 25
43
Impacts of Pickpocket Crime Rate on Tourist Decision- 44
Making to Visit Malacca 45
5 Reliability of statements of Impacts of Pickpocket Crime
Rate on Tourist Decision- Making to Visit Malacca PAGES
77
LIST OF FIGURES 83
85
1 Research Framework 86
2 Locations in Malacca districts voted as pickpocket hotspots

in Malacca by respondents
3 Locations in Malacca tourism spots voted as pickpocket

hotspots in Malacca by respondents
4 Frequency and percentage of locations voted as pickpocket

hotspots in Malacca by respondents

LIST OF APPENDICES

1 Questionnaire Draft
2 Interview Transcript
3 Photos
4 Gantt Chart

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JENAYAH DALAM PELANCONGAN:
SELUK SAKU DI MELAKA

ABSTRAK

Melaka merupakan negeri yang padat dengan pelancong apabila musim cuti sudah
bermula. Lazimnya, tempat-tempat pelancongan bersejarah akan sentiasa penuh
dikunjungi pelancong daripada luar negara mahupun domestik. Tetapi, persoalan yang
kerap timbul, adakah Melaka merupakan bandar yang selamat daripada kejadian jenayah
seluk saku berlaku dan selamatkah pelancong-pelancong yang berkunjung di Melaka?
Dengan menggunakan kaedah kualitatif dalam kajian ini, sesi bersoal jawab dapat
dilakukan bersama pihak polis Kontinjen Melaka bagi menjawab objektif kajian iaitu
menilai kadar jenayah kes seluk saku dalam tujuh tahun kebelakangan ini dan mengenal
pasti jalan penyelesaian yang telah diambil oleh polis Melaka untuk menangani masalah
jenayah seluk saku ini di Melaka. Seterusnya, kajian ini juga menjalankan tinjauan
terhadap 300 responden melalui hebahan secara maya iaitu bagi menjawab dua objektif
kajian lagi iaitu menggambarkan atau memetakan lokasi titik panas kejadian yang
berkemungkinan berlaku jenayah seluk saku di dalam daerah-daerah di Melaka dan
menilai impak jenayah seluk saku di Melaka terhadap pelancong di Melaka membuat
kesimpulan untuk bercuti di Melaka. Kajian ini juga berjaya mendapatkan beberapa
penemuan iaitu Melaka mencatatkan rekod selamat daripada jenayah seluk saku dan
pihak polis Melaka telah menjamin keselamatan pelancong dengan pelbagai modus
operandi yang telah dijalankan. Lebih menarik apabila kajian ini mendapati bahawa
Jonker Street merupakan lokasi titik panas yang berupaya menjadi lubuk jenayah seluk
saku dan kajian ini mendapati bahawa orang ramai yakin dengan keselamatan Melaka
serta golongan wanita dan remaja (18 tahun hingga 33 tahun) ditumpukan menjadi
mangsa kes seluk saku.

Kata kunci : Pelancongan, Pelancong, Seluk Saku, Membuat Keputusan

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CRIME IN TOURISM:
PICKPOCKETS IN MALACCA

ABSTRACT

When the holiday season begins, Melaka becomes overrun with tourists. Typically,
historical tourist destinations are constantly crowded with visitors, whether from overseas
or from domestic. But the issue that frequently arises is if Malacca is a city free of
incidences of pickpocket crime and whether visitors who visit Melaka are secure? Using
qualitative methods in this study, question and answer sessions with Malacca Contingent
police can be conducted to answer the study's objective, which is to assess the crime rate
of pocket crime over the last seven years and identify solutions taken by the Melaka
police to overcome the issue of pickpocket crime in Malacca. Furthermore, this study
surveyed 300 respondents via virtual notices to answer the remaining two study
objectives, which is to describe or map the location of hotspots of incidents that are likely
to occur in pickpocket crime in the districts of Melaka and to assess the impact of
pickpocket crime rate on tourist decision-making to visit Malacca. This study also yielded
other facts, including the fact that Melaka has a clean record in terms of pocket crime,
and that the Malacca police have secured the protection of tourists through
many approaches. More intriguing, this study discovered that Jonker Street is a hotspot
place that might be a hotbed of pocket crime, and this study discovered that people feel
confident in Melaka's safety, and women and teenagers (18 to 33 years old) are targeted
as pocket crime victims.
Keywords: Tourism, Tourists, Pickpockets, Decision Making

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction
According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism is a social,

cultural, and economic phenomenon in which people migrate to nations or areas other
than their natural environment for personal or business/professional reasons. These
people are referred to as travellers, and tourism refers to their activities, some of
which necessitate tourist spending. Over the years, tourism has evolved and
diversified to become one of the world's fastest-growing economic sectors. Modern
tourism is inextricably tied to growth, with an expanding number of new locations.
Tourism has emerged as a significant engine of socioeconomic progress because of
these changes. Tourism is now as valuable as, if not more valuable than, oil exports,
agricultural products, or autos.

Tourism has long been one of the most significant participants in international
commerce, as well as one of the most vital sources of revenue for many developing
nations. This expansion is accompanied by growing destination variety and
competitiveness. Foreign tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) climbed by 4% in
January-March 2019 compared to the same period the previous year, falling short of
the 6% average rise during the previous two years. This global development of
tourism in developed and developing nations has resulted in economic and job shifts
in a variety of connected industries, ranging from construction to agriculture and
telecommunications. The productivity and revenues of the tourism offer define
tourism's contribution to economic well-being. The UNWTO works with
destinations to help them achieve a strategic position in increasingly diversified
national and international markets. The United Nations World Tourism Organization

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(UNWTO) stresses that poor nations benefit from sustainable tourism and attempts
to make this a reality.

In 2019, there were 1,458 billion international tourist arrivals worldwide, a
3.5 percent increase over 2018. Spain came in second with 82.8 million visitors in
2018 and is expected to see up to 1.1 percent more overseas visitors in 2019. The
United States followed with 79.7 million (2018) and a 0.6 percent decline in foreign
tourist arrival in 2019, China with 61.6 million (2018) and a 4.5 percent rise in
international tourist arrival in 2019, and Italy with 62.1 million (2018) and a 4.8
percent increase in international tourist arrival in 2019. Turkey, Mexico, Thailand,
Germany, and the United Kingdom are all among the top ten countries on this chart.
From 2018 to 2019, both countries saw an increase in the number of foreign visitors.
More than 72.4 million international visitors visited Africa, a 5.4% increase over
2018. Morocco is one of Africa's top ten destinations in 2019, with 12.3 million
international visitors and a 5.2 percent increase in 2019. Egypt's second most visited
venue, with 11.3 million visitors in 2018. South Africa came in second with 10.5
million in 2018, but that figure fell by 2.3 percent in 2019. Tunisia had 9.4 million
visitors in 2019 and Algeria had 2.3 million visitors.

In 2019, there were 219.4 million international tourists to the Americas, a 1.6
percent increase from the previous year. The top ten destinations were the United
States, which had 79.3 million visitors, followed by Mexico, which had 45 million.
Canada comes in second with 22.1 million visitors, led by Argentina with 7.4 million.
The Dominican Republic, on the other hand, has only won 6.4 million dollars. In
2019, more than 360.1 million international tourists arrived in Asia-Pacific,
representing a 3.6% increase over 2018. In 2019, China had 65.7 million visitors,
while Thailand had 39.8 million. Then there's Japan, with 32.2 million visitors, and

2

Malaysia, with 26.1 million in 2019. About 744,3 million international tourists
arrived in Europe, a 3.9 percent increase over 2017. France will receive 89.4 million
visitors in 2018.

In 2019, it was followed by Spain (83,7 million) and Italy (64,5 million).
Turkey will have 51.2 million international tourists, while Germany will have 39.6
million. Both nations say that the number of tourists grew in 2019. In terms of tourist
arrivals, Malaysia was rated ninth in the world. Malaysia is placed 25th out of 141
countries in the 2017 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Survey. The government
has advocated for an increase in tourism in Malaysia to diversify the economy and
lessen Malaysia's reliance on exports. As a result, tourism has risen to become
Malaysia's third-largest source of foreign currency income, accounting for 7% of
Malaysia's GDP in 2005.

Tourism Malaysia, also known as the Malaysia Tourism Promotion
Commission, would be the government agency in charge of promoting tourism in
Malaysia. The Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Tourism (MOCAT) was established on
May 20, 1987, and the Tourist Development Corporation (TDC) was transferred to
this new ministry. TDC was in operation from 1972 to 1992, when it was renamed
the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) in compliance with the Malaysia
Tourism Promotion Board Act of 1992. Malaysia launched a global advertising
campaign entitled "Malaysia, Really Asia" in 1999, which was extremely successful
and attracted over 7.4 million tourists, helping the country's economy survive the
2008 economic crisis.

3

Malacca exceeded its goal of 17 million tourist arrivals last year, a 225,630
increase over the previous year's total of 16,794,468. There were roughly 17.02
million tourist arrivals in 2018, with 11.33 million or 66.6 percent being domestic
visitors and the remainder 5.68 million or 33.4 percent being foreign visitors. The
majority of tourists to the state in the year were from China, Singapore, Indonesia,
Taiwan, and Vietnam. Last year, 1,771,496 Chinese visitors visited the region, an
increase from 1,668,959 two years before. Melaka was the world's second most
popular tourist attraction in 2017, after only Kuala Lumpur, with 16.79 million
tourists. (Rashidi Abu Samah, 2019).

The visitor's safety at the tourism destination is the most crucial aspect of
tourism. When considering safety, the commonly acknowledged theory that applies
to this topic is Maslow's Hierarchy, and one of the levels is the safety needs language.
Safety Needs: Although physiological demands are frequently addressed, extra needs
classified as safety needs arise (Maslow, 1943). These are the prerequisites for safety,
certainty, and the lack of fear (Daft, 2013). One part of your safety requirements is
financial security. This obligation gave rise to the concept of insurance, which
evolved because of the pension system and issues such as floods, fire, and theft.
Because of the need for safety, the community's military and police forces are also
present (Telimen, 1977). Furthermore, safety standards may vary because of social
concerns or environmental considerations.

Pickpocketing is a crime that is commonly observed and heard about tourists,
whether domestic or international. Pickpocketing also appeals to the imagination and
is also considered an art form in some circles. However, it should be noted that a
victim of pickpocketing experiences a financial loss in the form of a stolen handset
or bare cash, as well as a time-consuming procedure of replacing identification cards,

4

driving licenses, banking cards, and so on. Similarly, where there is a high incidence
of pickpocketing, countries and, more specifically, individual cities suffer from a
negative picture. This crime pattern seems to be very much alive in the tourism
industry. When you google the term "pickpocketing avoidance" on the internet, the
first results are all travel-related websites.

Even though certain countries are dealing with increasing prevalence rates,
pickpocketing as a real crime pattern is often not regarded as a concern in the field
of public policy and legislation. Policymakers and law enforcement officers are
paying close attention to mobile organized crime gangs (OCGs), who are thought to
be responsible for a large portion of committed pickpocketing. It must be said that
these gangs commit a wide range of offenses, of which pickpocketing is just one, and
not even the most prevalent method of robbery.

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1.2 Problem Statement

This study aims to assess the crime rate of pickpockets in Malacca in recent
years, to identify the authorities' response to the pickpocket crisis, and to assess the
effect of pickpocket crime rate on tourist decisions making to visit Malacca. And also
to depict the pickpocket hotspots in the Malacca region. There is a high level of abuse
in the hotel and tourism sectors (Ho et al., 2017; Hua and Yang, 2017). Without a
doubt, violence has a negative effect on tourist destinations and hotel businesses
(Mehmood et al., 2016). High crime rates reduce visitor arrivals and hotel occupancy
rates (Brunt et al., 2000).

To summarise, the crime rate of pickpockets in Malacca in recent years.
According to the Crime Index of Malaysia 2019, Malaysia's index crime ratio per
100,000 population rose to 273.8 in 2018 from 273.8 in 2017 (309.7). In 2018, seven
states had index crime rates higher than the national average: Kuala Lumpur (642.6),
Selangor (330.8), Negeri Sembilan (327.1), Melaka (303.6), Kedah (287.6), Penang
(284.6), and Johor (284.6). That is the general crime rate in Malaysia; how is robbery
crime in Malaysia? It seems that the overall number of theft crimes in 2018 was about
30,000, which is very exciting for Malaysians and particularly tourists who are
unfamiliar with the tourist destination. A lot of negative things will happen to them.
In this situation, Malacca has also been affected by crime, which would be a
"nightmare" for the Malacca tourism industry.

Second, there is a Long-Term Plan Framework, which is the third (2001 to
2010), that emphasizes tourist protection. Only in the 9th Malaysia Tourism Plan did
visitor protection and security deserve attention and priority, ensuring visitors' ease
when visiting Malaysia (Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia 2012). If we want to
study, there is a shortage of tourism policies that are concerned with tourist welfare.

6

From Malaysia Tourism Plan 1 (1966) to Malaysia Tourism Plan 9, only one tourism
strategy is based directly on tourism safety; the general goal of the others is to
improve the Malaysian economy by improving facilities and tourism products.

Third, and finally, the effect of crime rates on tourist decisions to visit
Malacca. There is a lack of research on this topic since open arrivals to Malaysia rose
by +2.7 percent in the first quarter of 2019, totalling 6,696,230 people compared to
6,520,218 people in the same period last year (Malaysia Tourism, 2019). On the other
hand, the number of tourists visiting Malacca grows year after year. According to
Malacca tourism statistics, 13,584,494 tourists visited Malacca in 2017 and
13,584,494 in 2018. (14,095,964 people).

In addition, the second decade of the twenty-first century has seen a change
in research focus from tourist experience for destination decision making to
destination promotion by respective tourism departments. Product, location, location,
promotion, objects, physical proof, and processes are the components of the
marketing mix. Natural scenery, safety and protection, concerts, and activities all
play important roles in drawing tourists to a tourism destination. (Fam et al, 2017)
We will see many surveys and study cases about other people's decisions to travel to
specific tourist destinations.

7

1.3 Research Questions
The following is the study research questions:
1. What is the crime rate of pickpockets in Malacca in recent years?
2. What is the solution taken by the authorities to overcome the problem of
pickpockets in Malacca?
3. What is the impact of pickpocket crime rate on tourist decision-making
to visit Malacca?
4. Will tourists want to revisit Malacca if the crime rate in this tourism
destination is higher than they expected?
5. What are the most recent protection and security initiatives in the tourism
industry to ensure visitor safety when visiting Malacca or other tourist
destinations?

1.4 Research Objectives
a. To evaluate the crime rate of pickpockets in Malacca in recent years.
b. To identify the solution by the authorities to overcome the problem of
pickpockets in Malacca.
c. To depict the pickpocket hotspots in the Malacca region.
d. To assess the impact of pickpocket crime rate on tourist decision-making to
visit Malacca.

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1.5 Terms Definition
1.5.1 Tourism
Tourism, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization in 1991,
involves the habits of people traveling to and living in places beyond their usual
setting for leisure, company, or other purposes for no more than one year.

1.5.2 Tourist
Individuals become tourists, according to Holloway and Taylor (2006), and Jafari
(2002), as they willingly abandon their usual surroundings, where they live, to
explore another set. Regardless of how far from this environment (destination) is,
these people will normally partake in a variety of events.

1.5.3 Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing is described as the unnoticed stealing of objects borne on the victim's
body. Pickpockets are particularly active in congested areas such as shopping malls,
markets, and public transportation. Pickpockets operate independently or in groups,
and also use repeated situations such as asking for directions or spilling a drink...
while taking the target's valuables. Typically, victims are unaware of the robbery
before they need to use the stolen item. By then, the pickpocket has vanished.
(Prevention of Pickpocketing within the EU Policies & Practices, 2017)

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1.5.4 Decision making
Decision-making is the process through which an individual, community, or group
determines what actions to pursue in light of a set of goals and available resources. This
method would frequently be iterative, encompassing issue conceptualization, intelligence
gathering, reaching conclusions, and learning from experience (Russo,2017). As a result,
there must be compelling reasons for a visitor to choose to visit a tourist site with a history
of criminal activity.

1.6 Scopes and Delimitations of the Study
The scope of this research is confined to tourists' decisions to visit a tourist site

based on their safety and security. This research is intended to concentrate on
Malacca. Many tourists can obtain data, as many people have visited Malacca for
leisure or business purposes. From here, this research will see their thoughts on
security and safety in improving Malacca's amenities and also educating people to be
mindful of crime in every tourist destination.

The data for the research is obtained using an internet platform such as Google
Form. To reach the 300 responders, the form will be distributed using social media
platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. Furthermore, the research must employ
the qualitative approach, which necessitates an interview session with the
authoritative parties who should support the point in this study.

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1.7 Study Significance

The study's findings would suggest that there is a need to research
concerns of protection and safety in tourist sites. The purpose of this study was to
establish the security and safety advantages of visiting Malacca over other areas
in Malaysia. As a result, it is equally vital to promote Malacca as a safe tourist
destination. The study's conclusions would be advantageous to the tourist sector
market. Based on this research, the tourism industry will take the best possible
steps by evaluating all the factors that influence visitors to choose Malacca. This
research will also assist the government in developing services and the climate in
the domestic tourism industry. Domestic tourism has the potential to benefit the
country's economy.

On the other side, this research will assist Malacca's tourist authorities in
locating crime hotspots in the city. This is essential for informing tourists about
hotspot crime so that they may be more careful. Furthermore, when visiting
Malacca, tourists will pay close attention to their safety. The tourism police in
Malacca will also be extra vigilant in this regard to ensure tourist safety. As a
result, it is critical to identify the pickpocket hotspots in Malacca.

Following that, this study was carried out to investigate tourists' concerns
about protection and safety issues in tourist destinations, as well as their decision
to visit Malacca. This is because previous studies may have focused on tourist
decision-making to select a tourist destination, but there has been a lack of
research on safety and security. Furthermore, there has been no research on
Malacca’s tourist protection, which is significant because this region is important
for Malacca tourism.

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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Crime in Tourism

The tourist industry is the country's major contributor to economic growth.
Researchers revealed that Malaysians' decisions to visit Malacca are influenced
by many variables. As a consequence, one of the things driving visitors to Malacca
is tourist satisfaction. According to (Siguaw, 2014), customer happiness may be
judged by the company's overall performance. Customer satisfaction may be
measured using the company's overall performance.

There is a high level of criminality in the hotel and tourist businesses (Ho
et al., 2017; Hua and Yang, 2017). Without a doubt, crime has a detrimental
influence on tourist attractions and accommodation businesses (Mehmood et al.,
2016). Tourist arrivals and hotel occupancy rates are reduced when crime rates
are high (Brunt et al., 2000). The distribution of crime-related news has
accelerated with the advancement of information and communication
technologies (Hipp et al., 2019). Such unfavorable reviews on social networking
platforms and in the media might prevent tourists from visiting high-crime areas
(Malleson and Andresen, 2015).

The safety component is hazard-free, with a method of usage and
equipment capable of reducing, controlling, or avoiding accidents. According to
Kwon (1999), safety is defined as the absence of accidents. If a tourist feels unsafe
or endangered when visiting a location, the tourist will have an unfavorable
opinion of the location. This can harm the tourism sector since visitor arrivals will
drop drastically.

12

Michalko (2003) defines tourism safety as "the personal safety of visitors
and their property, including the capacity to recognize the way in a foreign
environment, knowing local system signals, indications, and social customs, as
well as consumer and retail service safety." Security and security aspects in tourist
destinations have been viewed as complex multi-divisions involving a variety of
components such as political safety, public safety, health and hygiene, personal
data security, traveler protection, consumer rights protection, communication
safety, natural disaster protection, environmental safety, authentic information,
service quality assurance, and so on (Kovari, 2010).

Each thing's uniqueness may generate a positive emotional connection to
customers and be a factor in recurring tourist visits. This can be linked to the
elements that can impact Malacca tourism. Whether we like it or not, travelers are
frequently targeted by criminals in the tourism industry. Malaysia has a high
overall crime rate, according to the US State Department's Overseas Security
Advisory Council (OSAC). It was also stated that crime in Kuala Lumpur
increased in 2014, with some attacks and robberies using firearms. The most
prevalent crimes performed against foreigners and expatriates in Malaysia include
purse snatching, petty theft, pickpocketing, home burglaries, credit card fraud, and
automotive theft. Residential burglaries are growing more widespread in
Malaysia. A US person was murdered in a home burglary accident in 2013. (C.
Tan et al., 2017)

As a result of the crime, Thailand's reputation as a tourist destination
deteriorated. According to Barnes (2009), overseas arrivals have decreased by
30%. One of Thailand's most prevalent criminal challenges is gem fraud. This
fraud is intended for travelers who meet a charming native near a tourist spot. Con

13

artists of many varieties are used to put up the fraud. It all started with a tourist
sitting in a tuk-tuk, and the tuk-tuk driver claiming that he or she specializes in
driving visitors about the city. Another con artist will arrive out of nowhere on the
way to visit the gem, who might be a young guy, an elderly man, or another tourist,
telling the victim the same thing the driver claimed about the diamond.

This issue has had a considerable influence on Thailand's reputation as a
tourist destination, with many travelers avoiding taking a tuk-tuk. In 2014, the
murder of two British travelers made international news. Thailand also had the
second-highest number of British deaths in 2014, after only Spain. Thailand was
also ranked low in the Asia Pacific in terms of safety and security, according to
the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2015.

Crime has traditionally been categorized into two forms in hospitality and
tourist management: violent crime and property crime (Hua and Yang, 2017).
Assault (Ryan, 1993), robbery, rape (Chesney-Lind and Lind, 1986), and murder
have all been investigated by academics (De Albuquerque and McElroy, 1999).
Property crime, including burglary, theft, and shoplifting (Chesney-Lind and
Lind, 1986), has been reported to be common in tourist regions. In comparison to
property crime, however, violent crime has been highlighted as the top safety risk
for visitors (De Albuquerque & McElroy, 1999).

According to Hua and Yang (2017), both violent and property crimes harm
hotel performance. Crime may also be classified based on when it occurs,
particularly whether it occurs during the day or at night. The most common
daytime crimes are shoplifting and burglary (Chesney-Lind and Lind, 1986). In
research of 404 Houston hotels, Hua, and Yang (2017) discovered that nighttime

14

crime had a greater negative impact on hotel performance than daytime crime.
Other types of crime have also been investigated by researchers.

Paraskevas and Brookes (2018, p. 16) found in their research of human
trafficking (THB) in the tourist industry that hotels may provide an excellent
criminal background for THB. In another work, Paraskevas and Brookes (2018)
employed criminal pattern theory to map the nodes of THB activity in hotels to
aid management in avoiding this crime. Furthermore, as a type of crime, terrorism
may be more directly related to war (Walker and Page, 2007), and it varies from
routine crime, which law enforcement in tourist zones may control and limit.

The study found no compelling evidence that crime perceptions impact
tourist arrivals at venues. Some research, such as a study of visitors in Cape Town,
have found that crime worries had little effect on tourist arrivals and re-visiting
intentions (George, 2003). (Howard, 2009). For example, in Jamaica, the violent
crime rate influenced less than 5% of visitor arrivals (Alleyne and Boxill, 2003).
Sönmez and Graefe (1998), on the other hand, performed research on 500
international visitors and discovered that their perceptions of the crime rate in the
tourism destination had a considerable influence on their decision to (re)visit.
Tourists may have avoided visiting the Middle East in his study if they were
concerned about terrorism (Sönmez and Graefe, 1998).

15

2.2 Malacca as Tourism Attraction

Tourism is concerned with the personality, conduct, beliefs, and way of life
of tourists. The desire to escape from regular life and work, as well as social
demands such as meeting new people and experiencing something unique or
different, are the key motivators for travel. Visitors' interest in visiting Melaka has
recently increased and is anticipated to continue. Melaka had one of the highest
tourist arrivals in history in 2012, with 13.7 million people. Despite this tendency,
nothing is known about the individuals that come here. (Carol et al, 2013).

Almost everyone has an innate view of what attitudes and actions on how a
person can act in a specific situation. If the individual has a negative attitude
towards something, it is theoretically ready to attack, punish, ignore, or otherwise
refuse something and certain things that relate to it. If the individual attitude is
optimistic, he will be able to support, reward, purchase, or otherwise accept it.

Tourist behavior depends on their own experience. In terms of visitor
consumption perspective, there are three levels of tourist behavior which are during
the tour, experience in the place itself, and the evaluation or intention of their
behavior after the visit. Next, the behavior of visitors can be considered in terms of
length of their stay, type of accommodation, mode of transport, activities that they
participate in, estimated expenses, and so on.

In the tourism category, usually, the frequently used theory is Maslow which
is the theory of motivational hierarchy. The factors that make the tourist visit places
in Malaysia is based on two factors which are push and pull factor. These concepts
are common and efficient ways to evaluate the actions of parties involved in
tourism. Not only that, the opportunity for them to experience the cultural and social

16

specify of a destination also gives satisfaction to the tourists. As in Malacca, the
heritage in Malacca is the factor and motivation for visitors to come to visit. This is
because they want to experience a safe place in terms of regions and communities
that do not exist elsewhere.

The pull elements are the motivations that entice them to visit the location,
whilst the push factors are the forces that inspire the individual to express his wants.
Furthermore, pull and push variables are beneficial in understanding the motivation
that encourages visitors to behave the way they do rather than the amount of
motivation that impacts their conduct. These attraction-repulsion parameters may
be benchmarked and potentially predict a tourist-satisfying venue. Not only that,
but it can encourage travelers to return to destinations they have previously visited.
(Zhou, 2008)

What's more, the thing that can draw visitors to come and discover more in
Malacca is an image of an established destination that reveals the charm and
uniqueness of the city. Tourist destination picture refers to the impression that
visitors have of their destination. This perception is characterized as the mechanism
by which a person selects, organizes, and interprets stimuli to meaningful
representations. In addition, to get more precise, the natural landscape of resources,
the political and economic climate, the public facilities, the atmosphere of the site,
and the development of leisure activities will lead to the formulation of the
destination of the picture site.

17

Government and legal bodies are recognized as the most powerful and
effective authorities capable of preventing tourism-related crime (Jones and
Newburn, 2006). Increasing tourists' trust in local authorities is a marketing strategy
for host countries. Public safety in destinations encourages local tourist growth
(Michalko, 2004), which may enhance security perceptions and reduce criminal
behavior against visitors such as wallet and valuables theft (Michalko, 2004). There
has also been research on how legislation and policy affect crime and local tourism.

Tough legislation and core principles, according to Kathrada et al. (1999),
have had a key impact in reducing criminal activity in Malaysia. According to
Mehmood et al. (2016), the US government might boost the tourist industry by
applying crime control strategies pioneered by different agencies such as tourist
departments, the Department of Justice, and immigrant communities to mitigate the
detrimental impact of crime on tourism (Mehmood et al., 2016).

Much study has been done to explore the relationship between the news
media and tourists' perceptions of the place (Harriott, 2007). For example, Harriott
(2007) observed that international tourists made destination-choice selections based
on news and network media. According to George (2001), the HIV/AIDS pandemic
in South Africa changed the country's image among foreign tourists. The media's
depiction of taxi crime also affected tourist perceptions of public transit in Cape
Town (George, 2003).

To put it another way, the media may be used to promote tourist destinations
while potentially harming tourism demand. The negative consequences of biased
reporting have also been documented in the literature (Brown, 2015). He further
indicated that the biased report in Aruba influenced US tourist arrivals, resulting in

18

a tourism downturn for several years. As a result, Mansfeld (2006) advocated that
online destination reports be balanced and interpretive to provide tourists with
reliable information. Fortunately, new types of media have emerged. Tourists often
express their thoughts on social networking sites; thus, travel evaluations have
become more authentic and informative.

According to Knott et al. (2015), social media platforms generate more
credible and up-to-date information. Social media platforms, according to Knott et
al. (2015), create more trustworthy and first-hand information. Tourists now play a
new role on social media as credible advocates who influence their friends and
followers as potential hotel customers (Wirtz et al., 2013, See-To and Ho, 2014).

2.3 Tourism and Pickpocket Issue

Concerns about safety and security are becoming increasingly important not
just for society but have long been a requirement for travel and tourism. The
concerns of safety and security in the tourism industry have also been cited as one
of the reasons for the change in the new century, with the key sources of concern
being crime, terrorism, food safety, health issues, and natural disasters. When
dealing with this scope, three ideas are used, although safety and security are the
most used. Other authors, on the other hand, preferred to use the single term
assurance, which was developed from the concepts of safety and security (Ayob &
Masron, 2014).

According to Berita Harian, on 11 June 2021, a gang of thieves known as
‘Geng 36' were dissatisfied after five members of the gang were apprehended by
police last Monday, three days after robbing a businessman. Datuk Abdul Majid

19

Mohd Ali, the Malacca police chief, revealed that the raid was conducted out after
receiving a report from a 54-year-old man who alleged that he was robbed by four
individuals while at his residence in Klebang last Friday. (Sabri, 2021) The
attraction in Malacca is Klebang Beach, which is located at Klebang. A lot of
tourists will travel there to relax on the beach while having a wonderful view while
shopping. As a result, this is one of the most popular pickpocket hotspot locations
in Malacca.

To reduce pickpocketing and snatch robberies, Malaysian tour firms have
begun employing extra security for tourists to renowned Kuala Lumpur and
Malacca attractions. Furthermore, travel agencies have created extra support
services to assist visitors in reporting missing passports and obtaining replacement
identification documents while on vacation. According to Tommy Tan, vice-
chairman of the Malaysia United Tour Guides' Association (Mutga), agencies have
developed dedicated teams to promptly resolve such problems. In Malacca, tour
operators pay guards, particularly when transporting guests to attractions like the
Stadthuys building, which has been in existence for four years and has reduced
incidences of tourist theft. (Travel Agents in Malaysia Hire Extra Security to Ward
off Tourist-Targeting Thieves, 2019)

The security charge is distributed among Malacca's 500 tour guides, with
each donating RM30 every month. Paying Rela for six people stationed at three key
tourist destinations, namely Bukit Cina, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, and the
Stadthuys building, costs RM15,000. The visitors who were impacted had to go
through the time-consuming procedure of filing police complaints and obtaining
confirmation from travel agents that the incident had occurred. It's much worse
when visitors are harmed during snatch robberies and need to be hospitalized.

20

(Travel Agents in Malaysia Hire Extra Security to Ward off Tourist-Targeting
Thieves, 2019)

Crime is prevalent in some areas of most cities, including Kuala Lumpur.
Luggage snatchers on motorcycles who drive up behind you and take your bag
should always be avoided. Others include petty theft, which occurs when objects
are left unattended. Pickpockets frequent Kuala Lumpur's monorail, or LRT. Safe
travel is not an issue in most places of Malaysia if measures are taken, and the
degree of crime is comparable to other SEA countries such as Vietnam. However,
crime is not the only issue that solitary travelers are concerned about. Many people
are concerned about Malaysia's reputation as a strict Muslim country. (Malaysia
Solo Travel, n.d.)

The number of snatches stealing cases in the state during the first nine
months of this year is concerning, at 301, compared to 84 total last year. Datuk
Latipah Omar, Exco of Malacca Women, Family Development, and Welfare
Affairs stated that during the same time this year, 77 individuals were detained, and
19 individuals were prosecuted for snatch stealing in the state. According to her,
the snatch theft case was successfully dismissed last year, compared to 200
instances in 2014 and 201 instances in 2013. The government is always devoted
and takes different steps to guarantee that the snatch stealing case does not become
a menace and source of concern for the people of the state. In the first nine months
of this year, 364 burglary instances were reported, with 187 persons arrested and
another 50 prosecuted. (Snatch Theft Cases in Melaka Increased in 9 Months, 2016)

21

Malacca Police apprehended the Amir Gang, which was made up of eight
youths and was suspected of perpetrating over 80 robberies and snatch thefts around
the state since November of last year. According to ACP Raja Shahrom Raja
Abdullah of the Malacca Criminal Investigation Department, all the youths, aged
15 to 18, including a school student, were apprehended last Wednesday at various
sites around the state. He stated that the first arrest was made at 4 p.m. at the home
of the group's leader, Amir, who was 15 and out of school, at Padang Temu,
followed by the arrest of seven more of his buddies in Kandang, Duyong, and
Semabok. The arrest was made because of public information based on a report
from an 18-year-old female saleswoman who was robbed while riding her
motorcycle at Taman Melaka Raya. The victim stated that two males on a motorbike
stole his purse, which contained RM1,000 in cash, a mobile phone, an identity card,
an ATM card, and an insurance card. The group was discovered to be active in
perpetrating robberies in numerous sites around the state, including Jonker Walk,
Taman Melaka Raya, Peringgit, Jalan Bendahara, Jalan Mufti Haji Khalil, and
Lebuh Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin (AMJ). (Police Crackdown on Teenage
Gangs, Solve 80 Robbery Cases, 2014)

Police are presently looking for three members of the 'Acid Super Tangga
Batu Gang,' including the group's leader, who is suspected of robbery and snatch
stealing in the Central Melaka region. Melaka Tengah Deputy Officers Chief Supt
Razali Bakar stated that police were looking for the three people based on
information from five local guys who were members of the group apprehended on
Wednesday. The arrests of those aged 21 to 26 were made at a residence in Bukit
Rambai here because of police intelligence gathered over a month. Those
apprehended acknowledged perpetrating more than 20 snatch thefts in groups in

22

Central Melaka. Handbags, wallets, mobile phones, various foreign currencies, and
sharp weapons intended to scare the victims were among the things confiscated. All
of those detained are drug users with a history of robbery, theft, and robbery, and
the case is being investigated under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code. (Police
Hunt Three Gangs of Robbery, Snatch, 2015)

On February 2, a snatch theft victim tied the neck of his gold chain snatcher
at Taman Asean, near Malim, Malacca. The 1-minute 39-second film, which is
thought to have been captured by the road user dashboard video camera, depicts the
incident's tense activity. The victim was kidnapped while standing close to a kiosk
selling coconuts, according to the tape. The victim was then observed clinging to
the snatcher's neck for 500 meters until the snatcher's motorcycle crashed on the
roadside shoulder. Melaka Tengah District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner
Afzanizar Ahmad, stated that the incident occurred at 3.30 pm on February 2 when
the victim, who was seated behind the road at the time, was stunned as the necklace
containing his ring pendant was pulled from behind. After hanging to the snatcher's
neck for roughly 500 meters, the victim was able to abandon the suspect's
motorcycle on the roadside shoulder. However, the suspect was able to flee with
the assistance of a companion who was on a second motorbike. Apart from the
victim and the suspect, four others riding separate bikes are shown in the video and
are thought to be involved. (Victims of Life-Threatening Pawn Snatching Chase
Snatchers, 2019)

But, to assuage our nerves, Numbeo.com, the world's largest cost of living
database, provides a plethora of evidence to prove that Malacca is a secure place.
According to the statistics, Numbeo state Malacca has a Crime Index (38.24) and a
Safety Index (38.24). (61.76). As a result, the crime rate and safety index in Malacca

23

are in a moderate state, requiring attention from the authorities. Data also reveal
that walking during the day in Malacca is the safest option (83.33) when compared
to walking at night (64.58). From here, the crime rate index and safety index suggest
that Malacca is in a moderate stage. These statistics are based on the perceptions of
visitors to this website during the last three years. (Crime in Malacca, 2018)

2.4 Development of the Conceptual Framework

THE CRIME RATE IMPACT OF SOLUTION BY
OF PICKPOCKETS PICKPOCKET THE
CRIME RATE ON
IN MALACCA AUTHORITIES
TOURIST
DECISION
MAKING

Figure 1
Safety factors motivate tourists to decide to visit Malacca

The framework shows that the safety factors influence Malaysians to visit
Malacca City. The factors will be used in this study to assess the impact of pickpocket
crime rate on tourist decision-making to visit Malacca.

24

Based on figure 1 shows that these factors are very related to what influences
Malaysian to visit Malacca. It can give the first impression and valuable experience
towards the students depending on what services they received and their experiences. For
example, destination image can be defined as the individual mental representatives like
beliefs, feelings, and even the overall perception of a particular purpose. It can play two
important roles in the behavior where it can influence the decision-making process of
choice and determine the behavior after decision making. So, in these motives that they
want to travel to Malacca, safety factors, it is the must to think before to enjoy the
excitement there.

As previously said, the satisfaction and intention of prior conduct in the service
environment have been acknowledged as the quality of services in Malacca. Also assures
that the quality of a person's journey is greater, resulting in satisfaction and the aim of
constructive conduct in general. Furthermore, M. Barker, S.J. Page, and D. Meyer (2002)
study the relationship between tourism and crime at important athletic events. Their
research looks at how the organization and implementation of a sporting event in
Auckland, New Zealand, affects crime rates, notably against visitors. According to
tourism crime data models, there are no significant differences in the number of victims
between local and international tourists. The magnitude varies depending on ethnicity and
place of living. Tourists and inhabitants, however, are subjected to different types of
crime. Foreigners are more likely to be robbed at places of amusement and lodging.

As a result, the study indicates that the potential impact of crime linked with
special events is mostly due to unanticipated population movements and increased
opportunities associated with a seasonal increase in tourism. Other variables related to
events and guest welcoming zones should be included here as well. Visitors to mass

25

tourist areas, according to K. DE Albuquerque and J. Mc Klroy (1999), are more
vulnerable to big crimes than citizens.

The factors that influence students to explore Malacca are also related to the
attractions found in Malacca. This is because the factors and attractions found in Malacca
will affect the satisfaction of the Malaysians to come and explore in Malacca. One of the
attractions found in Malacca is the uniqueness and accessibility of the building that can
attract the attention of the visitors. In Malacca, there is a building with history and as well
as ethnography. It is called the Museum of History which is in the historic city of
Malaysia. A historic structure that was called the Stadthuys is believed to be the oldest
surviving Dutch building in the East. It used to be the residence of the Dutch governor
and administrative building in the 1650-an and is also a legacy of the building left by the
Dutch colonialism in Malacca. (Fam et al, 2017)

Visitors will also be attracted to the uniqueness of the culture as well as the
history found in the state. It is important that they can have a unique experience and also
the quality of infrastructure different from the others. For example, the state of Malacca
is the only building that is different from the other state and that has a city surrounded by
old buildings. It is like being in prehistoric times but has a quality of services in the
modern era. If they want to see and experience the historical relics that do not exist in this
era, they need to come to explore Malacca City themselves. (Carol et al,2013)

Furthermore, in Malacca, there is also a river called Malacca River which is also
one of the attractions found in this state. Malacca River is known as Venice of the East
after it was developed into a port and was an important source for traders in prehistoric
times. This river is an important attraction because it has served as an entrepot trading
center for the stopover of traders, especially traders from the east and west that goes

26

through the Strait of Malacca in the past. Although the overnight cruise service is not
available, Malacca River is well known in the evening and allows to influence the
behavior of the visitors to come and explore. (Fam et al, 2017)

Their visitors can enjoy the lights along the bridges and rivers that produce
reflections and are also surrounded by various types of restaurants along the Malacca
River. Here, they also can see for themselves and experience the atmosphere and beauty
of this river which is full of history as well as a modern development. Not only that but
there is also a Malay village called Morten Malay Village. This riverside village offers
visitors a cultural experience with traditional houses built on stilts and surrounded by
beautiful gardens, landscaped with coconut trees. Hence, many residents that are
descendants of the first settlers from this river and make their homes as homestay
accommodation to let the visitors experience the traditional Malay culture. After a river
cruise from Malacca, the river can continue to go straight to the Malay villages because
it is close. (Carol et al,2013)

Also, the tradition of Baba and Nyonya in terms of food as well as culture to be
an attraction that has in Malacca. Some of the tourists claim that eating local food is a
novelty-seeking behavior that meets a key effective part of the overall travel experience.
It can be an attraction because food in a destination plays an important role for a person
to try a portion of unique food and explore more. For example, such as by promoting
various types of food that available in Malacca, how to eat the traditional food, food
festivals here, and food stalls that can be done by doing it on websites or social media
accounts that can make outside visitors to be more interested to come to explore in
Malacca. Baba and Nyonya cuisine are used as food that has uniqueness on its relative.
The food is derived from mixed Malay and ethnic Chinese, and it's also called Baba and

27

Nyonya. This cultural combination is very prominent in the assimilation of related dishes
in terms of food types, methods of preparation, and ingredients. (Fam et al, 2017)

According to all these assertions from various literary evaluations, Malacca City
has numerous uniqueness and specialization, ranging from historical buildings to tourist
attractions to food booths or hawkers on the Malacca riverbank. As we all know, danger
or criminality can strike at any time. To avoid this hazard, the Malacca authorities
(Malacca Police) established a unit of police tourism. Since 2017, there has been a bicycle
patrol squad. This squad is continually patrolling the tourism attraction on-site. The goal
is to get close to the visitor and prevent any tourism crime (pickpocketing) that happens
regularly to travellers (Fairuz Zaidan, 2017).

28

CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY

3.1 Description of Research Approach/Design

The analytic approach is both a strategy and a methodology that includes
measurements ranging from broad hypotheses to detailed processes. The research
architecture is the reasonable and systematic coordination of the many research aspects
that allows the process to continue efficiently. The findings are referred to either by
studying issues or by consolidating testing aims. A research sample design would be used
in this investigation. The research's design is appropriate since it is a standard procedure
in quantitative and qualitative research to add no intervention or regulation to the
variables with the purpose of answering the research objectives.

A collection of questions will be designed for this research to conduct an interview
session with the Tourism Police Unit, which oversees visitor safety in Malacca. This
study subject requires the most recent crime rate in Malacca as well as their remedy to
improve visitor safety in Malacca. A quantitative survey questionnaire was also created
for respondents' survey, with the item being studied to improve the course of the
questionnaire training and to identify the Likert scales. The questions were placed at the
Likert survey point, with scores ranging from 1 (strongly disagreed) to 5 (strongly
agreed).

29

3.2 Selection of Subject and Respondent
The total number of respondents required for this study is 300. The Google Form

was used for the research, and it was sent to respondents via the online portal and
questionnaire link. Because they are specialists in the field, the requests for qualitative
data must be addressed by Malacca’s tourist administration of safety. Our target
respondents are from Malacca's tourism safety authority for the qualitative data and
Malaysian tourists who have visited or will visit Malacca for quantitative data.

3.2.1 Item Representing Demographic Profile
In this study, the questionnaire is prepared in English. Demographic profile was

divided into seven sections: gender, age, employment career, ethnicity, religion, time
spent in Malacca, and reasons influencing them to visit Malacca in terms of safety. The
first is gender, which is divided into male and female. In terms of age, people range from
19 to 60 years old. First, there is an area for the respondents' race, religion, and other
information that can be used to categorize the respondents. The respondent who visited
or will go to Malacca and should presume the next question is about it. Finally,
respondents can express their views on the topic of safety in tourism places, particularly
in Malacca, in order for the Malacca authorities to take the next step in resolving the crime
in tourism issue. In advance, this research proposal will find the pickpocket hotspot area
in Malacca to avoid any risk that may occur to the visitor, and the tourism police will act
on it.

30

3.3 Instrumentation
The rating scale survey is designed to assess the decision and emotions of the

responder. An attitude can be characterized in a given context as favored methods of
reacting or behaving that are rooted in a relatively long-term arrangement of perceptions
and expectations regarding an object, a topic, or a specific statement. It is also designed
to determine the respondent's degree of agreement or disagreement on the amount to
which they agree or disagree, ranging from terrible to outstanding or low to high. The
questionnaire will be distributed to Malacca visitors via media socials like Facebook
and WhatsApp platforms. The interview session will be used to acquire qualitative data
for this study. Google Meet will handle the interview session.

3.3.1 Questionnaire Design
The questionnaire is prepared by asking a series of questions to the responder

in order to acquire precise information. This questionnaire will be administered via
an online survey on a laptop or tablet, as it will be posted on Malaysian popular social
media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Using this method, a huge number
of samples may be acquired in a straightforward, efficient, and relatively low-cost
manner. Each question in the questionnaire has been explained in detail.

Furthermore, the research's purpose and a brief description are given on the
first page of the questionnaire. Aside from that, it was declared on the front pages
that all knowledge would be kept secret and utilized solely for scholarly reasons. The
question provided in the questionnaire is straightforward, making it easy for the
responder to grasp and reply correctly.

31

Finally, the survey was separated into four components. Section A detailed the
demographics of the respondents. Section B explored the factors that drew
Malaysians to Malacca. Following that, section C addressed the reasons, in terms of
safety, that Malacca wants to encourage Malaysians to visit. Finally, section D is an
open-ended question on any suggestions for improving the safety strategy in
safeguarding visitors in Malacca that the respondent wishes to visit, as well as the
respondent's preference for a pickpocket hotspot location in Malacca.

3.3.2 Interview Question Design
The question is intended to elicit information from the group focus that is

relevant to the investigation. The respondent for this study is from Malacca's safety
authority since they are professional and well-versed in this subject. There will be
two parts asking this question. First, consider the respondent's background. Name,
age, marital status, the job at work, and experience. Second, all of the questions
linked to this issue, such as the case record, the establishment of the safety team, the
solution, and so on.

The formal email will be sent to obtain a response from the officer, and the
interview will be done online using Google Meet, with all data from the questions
gathered and finalized in the transcript. Before beginning the interview, the
respondent was informed that all data will be collected and utilized for research
purposes. From developed questions are to acquire the answer or their viewpoint to
answer research aim 1 to 3 have been asking about the pickpocket crime rate,
solutions, and place that often reported having pickpocket instances in Malacca.

32

3.3.3 Sampling Method
In this study, the sampling strategy used is a basic random sampling approach in

which each prospective sample of a certain size is proportionate to its true chance of
being chosen. It implied that each aspect in this study would be picked independently
of the others and that the survey would be administered at random by a Malaysian,
who would present the questionnaire on the web platform. This questionnaire will be
sent at random on the social media platforms that they often use. For qualitative data,
the responder is a member of the group focused on the study issue who has the
authority to answer the questions that have been posed.

3.4 Data Collection and Procedure
A Google Form poll will be used to collect the data. During data collection, the

respondents will be asked about their knowledge or experience with the major issue of
this study, which is the pick-pocket issue in Malacca, which will be the primary reason
Malaysians visit this tourism location.

In the survey, respondents’ contact number or email was given to assist the
respondents in case they are some confusion or further explanation needed. This move
would make the respondent feel more at ease and confident in answering the inquiry.

33

3.5 Data Processing and Analysis
This research will use a survey methodology in this investigation, utilizing a

questionnaire and quantitative data and qualitative data using the interview questions. To
see the data in this study, the data will be examined using the Social Science Statistical
Packages (SPSS) for Windows software packages (Soleman H. Abu Bader, 2011). This
research uses descriptive statistics as a methodological technique. Because they entail the
transformation of raw data into a shape, descriptive statistics can make it easier to
comprehend. Fundamental statistical statistics are used to provide an overview of
distribution patterns, data transcription errors, and a description of the study's sample
information's core demographic features. The questionnaire will be distributed to roughly
300 participants; a supplemental questionnaire will be distributed to 300 extra
respondents as a substitute or if they do not reply to the questionnaire.

The questionnaire will also be circulated throughout two months, from July 2021
to August 2021, via the WhatsApp group and Facebook. Malaysian tourists who have
visited Malacca would be the respondents. Measurements of center frequency, pattern,
and dispersion provide descriptive statistics. Frequencies simply relate to the number of
times certain subcategories have existed, which will be established as the ratio that will
assist in quantifying the study. To make it correctly and comprehensible, the result would
be expressed in the form of a table and a graph. To make the study more understandable,
all descriptive data will be used to describe all the data that is shown in this research, such
as Chi-Square, correlation, and reliability variables that analyze all the variables in this
study.

34

An interview is a topic-focused conversation for gathering qualitative data. In
contrast to a casual conversation, a qualitative interview is a technique in which the
interviewer directs the interviewee to answer research questions. The analysis of this type
of text requires researchers to integrate their theoretical framework with the study plan
and data collection procedures. Since the 1990s, research interviews have been
recognized as one of the key methods for gathering qualitative data because they allow
researchers to gain a better understanding of how people make sense of their
surroundings.

Qualitative interviews generally produce a large amount of detailed and
contextually rich information. Establishing the researcher's perspective and making sense
of the study itself is a big issue in this form of an interview. The vast bulk of information
gleaned through interviews is in the form of texts, either oral or written (Fernandez, 2018).
Following that, the study will be performed through an interview session with a focus
group that is connected to the research issue, which is the Malacca safety authority. Even
though the current scenario does not permit a face-to-face interview, the interview will
be conducted utilizing technology, namely the Google Meet conference. The data will be
written to the transcript and then analysed.

35

CHAPTER 4
FINDING

4.1 INTRODUCTION

The conclusions of this chapter are provided in response to and achieve the research
objectives laid forth in the previous chapter, from information collected through the
online interview session and questionnaires in Google form set. The objectives of this
research study are to recall:

i. To evaluate the crime rate of pickpockets in Malacca in recent years.
ii. To identify the solution by the authorities to overcome the problem of pickpockets

in Malacca.
iii. To depict the pickpocket hotspots in the Malacca region.
iv. To assess the impact of pickpocket crime rate on tourist decision-making to visit

Malacca.
The analysis of the information is intended to identify the issues of pickpockets in
Malacca’s tourism spot. There are two methods in collecting the information needed in
this research. First, the interview session by the Royal Malaysian Police officer (RMP) to
get more about the issue (objectives 1 to objectives 3). The frequency, chi-square, and
percentage of pickpocket crime rates will also be utilized to assess the impact of the tourist
decision to visit Malacca City for descriptive analyses (objective 4). The study uses for
the identification, presentation, and synthesis action of the collected data.

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4.2. CONTENT ANALYSIS
The existence of certain words, subjects, or concepts in qualitative data is

identified using content analysis, a research tool (i.e., text). Content analysis may be used
by researchers to assess and analyze the existence, meanings, and relationships of certain
words, themes, or concepts. Academics, for example, can evaluate the phrasing in a news
story to seek for bias or partiality. The subjects covered in the texts, the writer(s), the
audience, and even the cultural and historical time in which the work was written may
therefore be deduced by researchers. (Macnamara, 2018)

An interview session was held to obtain information from the Malacca security
authority, who is the appropriate party to offer their expertise of this research which is
connected to crime in tourism. The interview was performed by ASP Muhammad Badrul
Hisyam bin Othman, Staff Officer D4 (Operation, Intelligence, Records Divisions),
Criminal Investigation Department, Malacca Contingent Headquarters. On Monday,
August 9th, 2021, the interview was held online using Google Meet. Several questions
have been posted for research reasons.

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4.2.1 Crime Rate of Pickpockets in Malacca in Recent Years

During the discussion, he defined pickpockets and their actions in Malaysian
criminal law. The offense of pocket money is defined in Malaysian criminal law under
Penal Code sections 378 and 379. The crime of pocket money is the same as stealing,
which falls under the category of offenses against property. The definition of pocket
money is the act of stealing someone's belongings without their knowledge, and if there
is a struggle and harm occurs, the case will be prosecuted as armed robbery (sections 392,
394, 395, and 397). The maximum penalty for the pocket crime is seven years in jail,
whereas the maximum penalty for snatch steal or robbery is twenty years in prison.

Melaka documented just 10 incidents of pocket money in the previous 5 years,
namely in 2015 (3 cases), 2016 (0 cases), 2017 (3 cases), 2018 (3 cases), 2019 (1 case),
2020 - 2021. (0 cases). So far, this small-scale crime involving visitors and the general
public has remained under control. According to the Federation of Malaysian
Manufacturers (Malacca Branch), the crime rate in the state decreased by 7.6 percent
between January 1 and October 2, 2011, when compared to the same period in 2010.
51% of the 2,658 recorded criminal cases have been settled, with the remainder
continuing under investigation. The majority of the recorded instances included
motorbike theft. This is according to Malacca District ACP Salehhudin's report.
(Decrease in Crime Rate in Melaka, n.d.)

ASP Muhammad Badrul Hisyam also cautioned tourists that robbery and armed
snatching might occur. The offender may also be violent and carry a weapon that will
injure the victim. Worse, if the victim and the suspect get into a fight that leads to death
or serious harm. When asked if the victims are tourists, the answer is no. There is no
record of foreign visitors becoming victims, although the majority of domestic tourists

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are. He stated that women outnumber males in terms of gender, and they are around 25
to 40 aged. It is reinforced by a remark from George Town OCPD Asst Comm Mior Farid
Wahid, who claimed, “Statistically, snatch thieves frequently prey on older women.”
Many women are still victims of snatch thieves, particularly in the city center. Many of
them go alone or in groups of two with a buddy, and expensive items such as jewelry
attract thieves. Not to mention that the large women's handbag attracts pickpockets, who
may easily steal the purse in the handbag. (“Snatch Thieves Often Target Elderly
Women,” 2016)

4.2.2 The Solution by The Authorities to Overcome the Problem

According to ASP Muhammad Badrul Hisyam, this is due to self-neglect and a
lack of awareness in congested areas. As we all know, when we are in a crowded area,
there are likely to be undesirable things that we do not see. The usage of hazardous
backpacks may further encourage the criminal to attempt to conduct this pocket crime as
a result of visitors’ irresponsibility. The Tourist Police Unit, mobile police counter at the
tourism location, distribution of awareness leaflets, meetings with the community, and
VSP (Volunteer Smartphone Patrol) are only a few of the strategies and methods
developed by the authorities to respond to and promptly act in this circumstance.

The Tourist Police Unit's mission is to guarantee the safety of visitors in Melaka,
particularly in popular tourist locations. This unit is organized into four patrol groups:
walking, motorcycle patrol, patrol automobiles, and cavalry troops. The cavalry unit was
abolished in 2010 and replaced by the Taming Sari Squad, which was formed last year
(2020) with six men patrolling on Kawasaki motorbikes. The operation will be open from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then close at midnight.

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In general, the Tourist Police Unit is a specialized unit of the Royal Malaysian
Police that provides tourists and visitors with information about local legislation,
traditions, culture, and attractions. The Tourist Police wear dark blue uniforms with a
white peaked cap. Badges are worn on the left pocket also include an “I” which represents
the international code for "information." The Malacca state police, in collaboration with
the Malacca City Historic Council (MBMB), formed the "Tourist Police Mounted Unit"
in 2005 to ensure security and assist visitors visiting the state. "Friendly, Fast, and Right"
is their motto. As a result, Tourist Police keep communication with travel agencies,
hotels, airlines, bus companies, and taxi firms to assist visitors in obtaining whatever
information they want. The Tourist Police contribute to the improvement of a country's
image in the eyes of tourists. (Diskin, 2014)

“If you come to a tourist area in Melaka City, you will come across a canopy that
houses officers on duty to be ready when receiving reports from tourists. We also
regularly distribute leaflets to remind tourists to be vigilant. We also often hold
meetings with the people of Melaka to say hello and take note of current issues
and listen to any complaints from them for us to take appropriate action.”
(ASP Muhammad Badrul Hisyam, 2021)

That is the declaration of the extra pleasant personnel in Malacca police methods
to reduce and manage the unpredictable things that can happen to everyone at the tourist
destination. According to statistics from 2014 to 2016, there are 67 mobile police counters
throughout the Malacca area, including Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah, and Jasin. One of the
mobile police stations is also stationed in St. Stadthuys (MAMPU, 2014)

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Volunteer Smartphone Patrol, or VSP, is a new project of the Royal Malaysia
Police (PDRM) that aims to build collaboration and strategic cooperation to prevent crime
by using the local community as the police's eyes and ears. Previously, the community
could report crimes using the PDRM hotline and SMS services; but, with VSP, the
community may now channel complaints/information that includes multimedia
components such as images, videos, and GPS coordinates of the occurrence. This VSP is
also one of the programs funded by the Malaysian government's National Blue Ocean
Strategy (NBOS), and the Malaysian government has designated PDRM as the program's
implementing agency, with the Department of Crime Prevention and Community Safety
(JPJKK) as the 'Initiative Owner.' This software may be downloaded from the Google
Playstore and Itunes for Apple IOS (Ministry of Home Affairs, 2019).

Aligned with the Malacca police's solution plans, other countries have also
implemented various measures aimed at preventing the same goal, which is to avoid
pickpocketing incidents and keep our tourists secure who may be prospective victims.
According to (Verleysen, 2017), various European countries utilize some methods to
minimize pickpocket crime. To begin, Boefproof is part of a nationwide preventative
awareness effort called "Do not make it too simple." This nationwide campaign's name
relates to making it less appealing for criminals to conduct actual crimes. It encourages
individuals to activate or install an anti-feature on a mobile device, rendering the device
inaccessible through remote control if it is stolen.

Then, there's RAILPOL. Because train stations frequently have a high
concentration of passengers, they provide several opportunities for pickpocketing. To
combat such illicit activity, police personnel from the Police Force of Slovakia's railway
police service conduct patrols in trains and at stations. The police force, in collaboration
with railway businesses, develops a variety of preventative initiatives for individuals to

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raise awareness of the issue. In addition, as a part of the European railway police network.
RAILPOL collaborates with other nations to trade information about pickpocket
techniques and methods and also participates in international police operations.

Third, there's the police awareness vehicle. The Berlin Police Department puts
these vehicles throughout the city center, complete with large information displays held
up by magnets. It is simple to create awareness and explain that that region is a hotspot
for pickpocketing. Fourth, spray templates. A warning is sprayed on the pedestrian zone
of recognized pickpocketing hotspots using a template. This notion is successful since
graffiti on the ground is uncommon, attracting the public's attention. The paint just
remains on the concrete for 4 weeks, causing no damage. Finally, a heat map. The Berlin
police have created a heat map to highlight where the hot areas are in the city center. This
has shown to be an excellent method of informing those who are interested. The map is
published on the website once a month and is updated based on official police figures.

In contrast, several approaches that have been implemented in European countries
have been implemented in Malacca to combat pickpocketing. However, employing
technology to track down criminals in Malacca will be applied in the future as a smart
strategy to dealing with this issue. The same is true for conferences; in Malacca, there has
not been a conference to debate this crime; yet, a conference among Malaysia's safety
authorities is required since crime is not a minor concern, but it will be widespread.

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4.2.3 The Pickpocket Hotspots in The Malacca Region
In this section, analyzed data was gained from the interview with ASP

Muhammad Badrul Hisyam (interview session) and a sample of the respondent’s
population using a questionnaire gathered from July 2021 to September 2021. Based on
the responses and some of the recorded instances in the newspaper article, a map of the
pickpocket’s hotspot location of Malacca was developed.

3
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Figure 2
Locations in Malacca districts voted as pickpocket hotspots in Malacca by respondents

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