10 Most Dangerous Cities in Malaysia

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Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia, and the federal constitutional monarchy comprises 13 states and three federal territories.

The country shares borders with Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Most of Malaysia is safe for locals and tourists, but there are some areas that you should avoid if you plan to visit the country.

There are also tips you should follow if you find yourself in a dangerous part of the country to protect you from being robbed or worse during your visit.

Crimes in Malaysia include murder, drive-by killing, drug trafficking, money laundering, and sex trafficking.

Petty crimes like purse snatching, pickpocketing, and other types of petty theft are also common.

The crime rate in Malaysia has declined a bit in recent years, but the public’s perception of crime has stayed the same.

Malaysia is ranked the 18th most dangerous travel destination in the world, but it’s possible to visit the country safely if you take the proper precautions.

Below is a list of Malaysia’s most dangerous cities so you can plan your trip accordingly.

10 Most Dangerous Cities in Malaysia

#1 Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and is recognized for numerous landmarks, such as Petronas Twin Towers and Petaling Street flea market.

Unfortunately, it’s also one of the country’s most dangerous cities.

Violent crimes have reduced over the last few years, and 11,498 assault crimes, such as murder, rape, and robbery, occurred in 2021.

The property crimes, such as house break-ins, vehicle theft, purse snatching, and pickpocketing, decreased a bit, and 41,479 cases were reported in 2021.

There are no bad neighborhoods in Kuala Lumpur during the day, but you must be vigilant when going out at night.

It’s best to avoid the area around Kalan Chow Kit at night because there are many drug addicts in the area, and you could be robbed or attacked during a late-night stroll.

It’s also best to avoid side streets as they aren’t well-lit and are often hangouts for criminals looking for their next victim.

There are plenty of scam artists who prey on tourists, and you should watch out for include:

• Fake monks looking for donations
• Taxi scams where the driver inflates the price.
• ATM scams are common, and machines in darker areas contain copying hardware to steal your banking information.
• Fake police scams where a fake officer will claim there’s an issue with your passport and expect you to pay a fine on the spot.

You can have a wonderful time visiting Kuala Lumpur if you’re careful and do most of your sightseeing during the day.

#2 Petaling Jaya

Petaling Java, also known as PJ, is a city in Selangor, Malaysia, and one of the country’s most dangerous cities.

Robberies, thefts, murders, and violent gang wars are common in PJ, so you must be vigilant if you plan to visit the city.

You should avoid taking public transportation at night because robberies often occur on buses at night, and some taxi drivers charge tourists much more than they should.

There’s also a high risk of pickpocketing, purse snatching, and mugging.

Unfortunately, crimes occur all over the city, and the best way to ensure your safety is to avoid walking around alone at night and avoid shops on dark streets at night.

If you remain vigilant, don’t carry anything valuable, and only go out exploring during the day, you should be safe.

#3 Klang

Klang is a city in Selangor, Malaysia, and one was the state capital.

The city is located in the western part of the state and borders the Kuala Langat district and Malacca Straits.

There are plenty of things to do in the city, but you must be careful due to the high crime rate.

There are several criminal gangs operating in the city, and gang violence is common.

Gang 24 Apache is one of the most dangerous gangs in the city and has been involved in murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and extortion.

Petty theft, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is also prevalent.

It would be best if you avoided the streets at night because the last thing you want is to run into a gang member.

You should also watch out for taxis without meters because the drivers will inflate the price significantly.

Also, it’s best to leave your valuables locked in the hotel safe to keep them safe while you’re out sightseeing.

#4 Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is the capital of Johor, Malaysia.

The city is also known as JB, and there are several cultural attractions for tourists to enjoy.

JB has been notorious for its high crime rate for several decades and is much more dangerous than other urban areas in the country.

The most common crimes include robberies, snatch theft, carjacking, kidnapping, and rape.

Gangs in the city bring violence, drugs, and various other crimes to the city.

There are a few areas that tourists are advised to avoid, including:

• Larkin Bus Terminal should be avoided due to theft and human trafficking
• Taman Pelangi is a hot spot for crime and is infamous for murder in 2017.
• Jalan Wong Ah Fook should be avoided at night because it becomes a red-light district with high crime rates.
• Taman Molek is a residential area with a high crime rate, and kidnappings and bombings have occurred there.
• Stulang Laut is a seaside suburb and is home to a violent motorcycle gang.

If you stay off the streets at night, avoid going out alone, and avoid the areas listed above, your trip to JP should be safe.

#5 Kuching

Kusging is the capital of Sarawak, which is the most highly populated state in Malaysia.

The city is located on the Sarawak River at the southwest top of Sarawak.

Crime rates are higher in highly populated areas, so you must be careful when traveling to Kuching.

Violent crimes occur, but they aren’t as common as theft.

Pickpocketing, purse snatching, and car thefts are relatively high, so you must be vigilant when walking on the streets.

Corruption and bribery are very common in the city, but this isn’t something that most tourists have to worry about.

Tourists are advised to stay with a group when going out at night and don’t take anything valuable with them.

Keeping your phone and camera out of sight is also a good idea.

Also, avoid using unregistered taxis because drivers often inflate the fares significantly, even though it’s illegal.

#6 Shah Alam

Shah Alam is located in Selangor, the state capital of Malaysia.

It is situated within the Petaling District and a small portion of the neighboring Klang District.

Shah Alam is home to many popular tourist attractions, including:

• Garden of Islamic Arts
• Sultan Alam Shah Museum
• i-City

Shah Alam is one of the most challenging places in Malaysia to buy alcohol, but that hasn’t stopped crime in the city.

Students migrate to the city often, which is believed to be one of the reasons crime rates are so high.

Murders aren’t uncommon in the city, and thefts are common.

People are mugged, pickpocketed, or have their purses snatched daily, and there are many reports of women being sexually harassed in this area.

Tourists should avoid going out alone in the city and take precautions to avoid being robbed.

#7 Kajang

Kajang is a town in Hulu Langat District, Selangor, Malaysia.

The town has multiple shopping centers for tourists to visit and many restaurants.

The town is known for its site, which is a skewered barbecued meat.

The crime rate in Kajang is lower than in other areas, like Kuala Lumpur, but tourists should remain vigilant.

Violent crimes, such as murder, assault, and armed robbery, and relatively low, and thefts, such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, and car theft, are relatively high.

Also, taxi and ATM scams are common.

You should avoid traveling alone in Kajang at night and not carry too much money or valuables.

Many access points in the neighborhoods make it easy for criminals to enter and escape quickly.

#8 Subang Jaya

Subang Jaya is a city in the Petaling District in Selangor.

The population is 642,100, making it the sixth-largest city in Malaysia by population.

The city is home to many colleges and universities, and there are plenty of things for international students and tourists to do in the city.

Unfortunately, the city has a reputation for a high crime rate, and the city sees more crime than other districts in Selangor.

Although the city’s crime rate has reduced, there were 1,465 criminal cases reported in 2018.

Violent crimes occur but not as often as theft and vandalism.

Corruption and bribery are also serious problems in the city, but this usually doesn’t affect tourists.

Tourists are often victims of taxi and ATM scams, so you should remain vigilant.

Traveling in the city with another person is best, and don’t carry too much money or any valuables.

Also, try to stay off the streets at night.

#9 Tawau 

Tawao is the capital of the Tawau District in Sabah, Malaysia.

The city has plenty of things to do, such as shopping, fine dining, and the annual Tawau International Cultural Festival.

Although crime in the city has reduced over the last few years, theft in homes and on the streets has increased significantly, as well as car thefts.

While crime isn’t as high in Tawau as in other cities in Malaysia, tourists should always be aware of their surroundings.

It’s best to avoid dark streets at night and travel in well-lit areas with another person.

Also, you should leave your valuables at the hotel.

#10 Ipoh

Ipoh is the capital city of Perak, Malaysia.

It’s located by the Kinta River, with a population of 657,892, making it the fourth largest city in Malaysia by population.

There are plenty of museums in Ipoh for tourists to visit, as well as street art and limestone caves.

The crime rate in Ipoh is relatively high, and the most common crimes include:

• Assaults
• Muggings
• Car theft
• Vandalism
• Armed robbery
• Verbal abuse on the streets

Tourists are advised to stay aware of their surroundings and try to avoid going out at night alone.

Safety Tips

Malaysia can be a dangerous place, and there are safety tips you should follow to ensure a fun and safe trip.

1. Be aware of your surroundings: You must be mindful of your surroundings and remain vigilant when walking down a crowded street or when walking alone at night. 
2. Read up on common scams: There are plenty of scam artists in Malaysia, and they go after victims differently than in the United States. It’s best to read up on the most common scams in Malaysia before you arrive so you know what to look out for. 
3. Know the local law: The last thing you want is to get arrested for something you didn’t know was illegal. It’s best to read up on the local law before leaving home to avoid getting into trouble when you arrive. 
4. Find the embassy: The first thing you should do when you arrive in Malaysia is find the embassy. If something happens and you need help, you’ll know where to go. 
5. Carry your passport at all times: You are required to have your passport on you at all times in Malaysia. If a police officer asks for your passport and you don’t have it, you can be brought in for questioning.

Malaysia Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Malaysia Safety Review

Safety Index:

69

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: HIGH
• TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM