Rukun Tetangga is a neighbourhood scheme supervised by the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN) under the Ministry of National Unity, with its legal basis in the Rukun Tetangga Act 2012 (Act 751). Its security arm, the Voluntary Patrol Scheme (SRS), lets residents aged 18 and above carry out voluntary patrols to help the authorities curb crime. SRS volunteers are the community's 'eyes and ears' who observe and report to the police; they are not enforcement officers and do not replace the PDRM.
- Rukun Tetangga is supervised by JPNIN under the Ministry of National Unity, with its legal basis in the Rukun Tetangga Act 2012 (Act 751), which came into force on 22 June 2012.
- The Voluntary Patrol Scheme (SRS) requires at least 20 residents aged 18 and above within a given Rukun Tetangga Area (KRT).
- As of February 2025, there were 8,529 KRTs nationwide and 5,431 SRSs involving nearly 100,000 members, with about 5% of KRTs found to be inactive.
- The SRS is meant to help the authorities prevent crime; its members observe and report, they do not exercise police enforcement powers.
Who this applies to: Residents of neighbourhood areas, KRT committee members, patrol volunteers, and anyone who wants to understand how communities help prevent crime in Malaysia.
On this page
The night-time street lamps in a housing estate are often partly obscured by two or three people on bicycles or on foot with torchlights — neighbours patrolling their own area. They are not police. They are members of the Voluntary Patrol Scheme, and they represent the first layer of crime prevention in most Malaysian neighbourhoods: a community watching over its own community, continuously alongside the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
The official framework for this work is Rukun Tetangga. Here is how it is organised, who supervises it, and where the volunteers’ role stops and the police’s duty begins.
What is Rukun Tetangga and who supervises it?
Rukun Tetangga began as a scheme under regulations in 1975, and is now marking its 50th anniversary. Its legal basis today is the Rukun Tetangga Act 2012 (Act 751), which came into force on 22 June 2012.
The scheme is supervised by the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN) under the Ministry of National Unity. Its basic unit is the Rukun Tetangga Area (KRT) — a registered neighbourhood with a committee (AJK) that organises unity, welfare, sports and security activities.
Its original goal was not solely crime prevention. Rukun Tetangga was designed to bring neighbours from different backgrounds closer together and to nurture a spirit of neighbourliness. Community safety grows out of that foundation: when neighbours know one another, they more easily notice when something is amiss.
How does the Voluntary Patrol Scheme (SRS) work?
The security arm of Rukun Tetangga is the Voluntary Patrol Scheme (SRS) — “a scheme applied for by a group of residents within a Rukun Tetangga Area”. Its official purpose is clear: to help the authorities curb criminal activity and social ills in the local community.
The SRS was first launched in Penang on 21 February 2004, and expanded nationwide after a Cabinet decision on 14 April 2004.
The basic requirements to establish or join an SRS:
- At least 20 people who are residents of the Rukun Tetangga Area concerned.
- Aged 18 and above.
- Malaysian citizens living within that area.
Its core activity is neighbourhood watch and patrol — volunteers take turns patrolling at night, observing suspicious situations, and reporting to the authorities. The Director-General of JPNIN, Zulkifli Hashim, described SRS members as “unsung heroes willing to stay up through the night to ensure that residents’ homes are kept safe”.
Where does the volunteers’ role stop?
This is important: the SRS is a voluntary scheme to help the authorities. Its members act as the community’s eyes and ears — observing, deterring through presence, and reporting. They are not enforcement officers and do not replace the PDRM. Any arrest, detention or formal investigation remains within the jurisdiction of the police. The strength of the SRS lies in prevention and early notification, not law enforcement.
How large is this network?
According to the Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Unity, Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad (February 2025), the Rukun Tetangga and SRS network covers almost every state:
| Indicator | Figure (as of Feb 2025) |
|---|---|
| Registered Rukun Tetangga Areas (KRTs) nationwide | 8,529 |
| KRTs found to be inactive | about 5% |
| Number of Voluntary Patrol Schemes (SRSs) | 5,431 |
| SRS members involved | nearly 100,000 |
These figures show two things. First, the scale of this volunteer network is large — nearly 100,000 residents are actively involved in patrols. Second, sustainability is a real challenge: with about 5% of KRTs becoming inactive, the government is focusing its efforts on reviving inactive KRTs and upgrading others to “Progressive KRT” status.
How does Rukun Tetangga differ from a village safety committee?
Rukun Tetangga is not the only community structure that touches on local security. In rural areas, a similar role is played by the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) — now known in some places as the Jawatankuasa Pembangunan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JPKK).
The JKKK is a grassroots-level committee that acts as a link between the government and villagers, and among its functions is ensuring that the village’s security aspects are safeguarded. Its structure typically consists of a chairperson, secretary, treasurer, committee members and certain bureaus.
A brief comparison:
- KRT / SRS — supervised by JPNIN under the Ministry of National Unity; focused on neighbourhood unity and voluntary patrols; common in urban and suburban areas.
- JKKK / JPKK — a village administrative committee; coordinates rural development and security; in some states such as Sabah, supervised by the state rural development agency.
Both share the same goal — a safer and more united community — but operate under different administrative structures.
Where is Rukun Tetangga heading?
Two developments are shaping the scheme’s future.
Modernising patrols. Through the “Rejuvenating the SRS” initiative, JPNIN is drawing up a new direction to improve the effectiveness of patrols, including the use of modern technology applications in carrying out watch and patrol duties. Campaigns such as “1 Family 1 SRS Member” aim to ensure every household has at least one representative in the scheme, while large companies such as Petronas are invited to become “foster parents” to selected KRTs, providing training and support.
Legal amendments. The Ministry of National Unity is proposing the first amendment to Act 751 since it came into force. Among the key proposals is extending the term of appointment of Rukun Tetangga committee members from two years to three years per term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms (six years). The Minister of National Unity, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, stated that the two-year term was “too short and inadequate” for committees to carry out their plans. The amendment is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in October 2025.
What’s next
If you want your community to be more involved in crime prevention:
- Identify your KRT. Contact the district Unity Office under JPNIN to find out whether your area already has a registered Rukun Tetangga Area and an active SRS.
- Join or revive. If your KRT is inactive, 20 residents aged 18 and above are enough to apply to establish a new SRS.
- Understand the limits of the role. Voluntary patrol is prevention and early notification — for emergencies or crimes in progress, contact the police (emergency line 999).
Precise details such as the number of KRTs by state, the full membership requirements under Act 751, and the rate of allowances or grants can change from time to time; verify with your local Unity Office or the official JPNIN portal before acting.
What is the difference between Rukun Tetangga (KRT) and the Voluntary Patrol Scheme (SRS)?
A Rukun Tetangga Area (KRT) is a registered neighbourhood unit supervised by JPNIN, with a committee that organises unity, welfare and security activities. The Voluntary Patrol Scheme (SRS), meanwhile, is the specific security arm within a KRT — a group of volunteer residents who carry out neighbourhood watch and patrols.
Can SRS members detain or arrest criminals?
The SRS is established to 'help the authorities curb criminal activity'. Its members patrol, observe suspicious situations and report them to the police. They are not enforcement officers and do not replace the duties of the PDRM; any detention or arrest is within the jurisdiction of the police.
How do I join or set up an SRS in my area?
The Voluntary Patrol Scheme is applied for by a group of residents within a Rukun Tetangga Area. The basic requirement is at least 20 residents aged 18 and above. Applications and coordination are handled through the local KRT and the Unity Office under JPNIN.
Who supervises Rukun Tetangga?
Rukun Tetangga is supervised by the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN) under the Ministry of National Unity. Its legal basis is the Rukun Tetangga Act 2012 (Act 751).
Sources
- Skim Rondaan Sukarela (SRS) — Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional (JPNIN)
- Portal Rasmi Kementerian Perpaduan Negara — Kementerian Perpaduan Negara
- KPN Cadang Pinda Akta 751, Panjangkan Tempoh Pelantikan AJK RT Kepada Tiga Tahun — BERNAMA
- Lima Peratus Daripada 8,529 KRT Seluruh Negara Pasif — BERNAMA
- SRS dan KRT Perkukuh Keselamatan, Keharmonian Komuniti — Portal Berita RTM
- Jawatankuasa Kemajuan & Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) — Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar Sabah
Change history
| Version | Date | Change | By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.00 | 1 Aug 2026 | Approved and published. | — |