POLICE are getting more "tech savvy" as they battle the brazen car and motorcycle thieves who did RM982 million (S$409 million) worth of "business" in 2008.
Vehicle thefts have steadily increased from 82,954 (valued at RM853 million) in 2006 to 85,080 (valued at RM911 million) in 2007 and 88,820 last year.
Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin said police had identified three ways to prevent vehicle theft:
- Fixing e-plates for vehicle registration numbers;
- "DNA profiling" of vehicles and their parts; and
- Getting vehicles to use a "passport" when they leave the country.
The e-plate will be fitted with a global positioning system tracker which the police can use to track the stolen vehicle when a report is made.
"We have been asking the Road Transport Department for this for the last four years but no decision has been made yet," said Bakri.
He said the "DNA profiling" system would be like the one used for high-end watches, which include details of a watch's make, the buyer and the place of sale. This information, he added, would be contained in a colour-coded dot on vehicles.
Bakri said the "DNA profiling" would also be similar to the one which would be used in the new Malaysian passports to be issued next year.
"We have asked that this DNA dot be used for new cars but they (manufacturers and agents) are reluctant to do so because of the added cost."
The "passport" will carry pictures of the vehicle and other relevant information.
"Many Malaysian-registered vehicles are taken to neighbouring countries and do not come back.
"The vehicles could have been stolen, sold to unsuspecting buyers, given away as payment for gambling debts or just left behind because the owners were unable to make loan repayments.
"The owners return and lodge police reports that the vehicles have been 'stolen'.
"With the 'passports', we will be able to monitor vehicles exiting and entering the country."
Bakri said police knew who were the masterminds behind the car theft syndicates but it was difficult to bring them to court.
He noted that many arrests had been made but none of them could be connected to the big boys.
"We are fighting an uphill battle. Those arrested are small-time thieves."
Bakri said there was a two-way trade in the sale of stolen vehicles, with luxury cars being stolen in foreign countries and brought in as "reconditioned" cars and sold to unsuspecting Malaysian buyers.
Expensive cars from Malaysia have also found their way to neighbouring countries and as far away as the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.
Syndicates are also targeting 4WD vehicles for use deep in the jungle by loggers and miners. A RM90,000 4WD is sold for as little as RM15,000. While luxury cars and 4WD vehicles bring in top ringgit, small-engine motorcycles are the "bread-and-butter" business of many syndicates.
"The motorcycles are easily stolen and cannibalised for their parts," Bakri added.
