The four most common criminal offenses committed in Malaysia are robbery using firearms, motor vehicle theft, house burglary, and other thefts. Several socioeconomic factors, including large differences in wage earnings and social mobility, have been identified as contributing to the crime problem; other factors include a rural-urban migration, a severe drug problem, the presence of triads or secret societies, illegal immigration violations, and high unemployment. Crime prevention will only be possible through an integrated approach involving criminal justice agencies, law enforcement, and other public groups. In 1986, Malaysia instituted a Police Crime Prevention Branch which has worked to implement community policing schemes as well as a proactive policing strategy. Malaysia has passed preventive laws that are invoked against certain groups of offenders to control crime. Inmates are provided with vocational and academic education, and they participate in rehabilitation-related activities. Malaysian police participate in international law enforcement measures through regional police associations and bilateral cooperation. 1 appendix