Pulau Pinang has been ranked among the safer cities in the world, placing 69th out of 402 cities in Numbeo’s 2026 safety rankings.
According to Numbeo, Penang recorded a Crime Index score of 28.9 and a Safety Index score of 71.1, offering a positive snapshot of the state’s current safety situation.
State remains peaceful and stable
Numbeo is one of the world’s largest databases for cost-of-living information and also provides data relating to quality of life, crime and safety across cities worldwide.
While the ranking provides an international comparison of perceived crime and safety levels, it should be read as an index-based measure rather than a complete assessment of every aspect of public safety in Penang, as reported by Kosmo!
The ranking puts Penang on an international list of cities with relatively high reported safety levels.
Keeping Penang a safe place to live
In a Facebook post, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the ranking reflects the confidence of residents in being able to go about their daily lives in a peaceful and secure environment.
He made the remarks after receiving a security briefing from Penang Police Chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng. Chow also said the state’s current security and public order situation remains peaceful and stable.
“These figures provide an overview of the current level of safety, but more importantly, they reflect the public’s confidence in going about their daily lives in a peaceful and secure environment.
The state government will continue to take issues concerning public safety and order seriously, particularly matters involving racial and religious sensitivities,” he said in his Facebook post.
Safety remains a shared responsibility
Chow said the state government also wants Penang to remain not only economically developed, but also a safe and harmonious place for families and communities.
He stressed that maintaining peace is a shared responsibility between the government, security forces and the wider public.
“We want Penang to continue to be a state that is not only economically and developmentally progressive, but also peaceful to live in, safe for families and harmonious for everyone,” he added.
He added that the government, security forces and wider community all having a role to play in preserving the harmony enjoyed today.
Penang, he said, must remain a place where people feel confident to live, work and build their future.
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