How to Make a Police Report (Laporan Polis) in Malaysia

1. When Do You Need a Police Report?

Knowing when to file is half the battle. Most Malaysians under-use this — and miss important legal protections because of it.

2. Walk-In vs Online — Which to Use

3. Walk-In: Step-by-Step at the Balai Polis

1. Go to the nearest balai polis

   Bring your MyKad or passport (mandatory for identification). Police stations operate 24/7 — you can file anytime. For urgent situations (ongoing crime, medical emergency), call 999 first.

2. Queue at the Kaunter Laporan (Report Counter)

   Look for the laporan or report sign. Take a queue number if one is given. Wait times vary — expect 15–45 minutes at busy stations. Off-peak hours (early morning, weekday afternoons) are faster.

3. Give your statement to the officer

   Tell the officer what happened. Be calm, factual, and chronological. They will type your statement in Bahasa Malaysia — even if you spoke in English or another language. You will be asked to review and sign the statement before it is finalised. Read it carefully before signing.

4. Provide supporting evidence if you have it

   Hand over (or show) any evidence: screenshots, photos, receipts, CCTV footage (on a USB drive), witness names and contact numbers. The officer will record what you've provided. Keep originals — give copies where possible.

5. Receive your police report number (nombor laporan)

   Once the statement is completed and signed, you receive a printed copy with your report number. This is your proof. Keep it safe — you'll need this number for insurance claims, document replacements, and follow-up investigations.

6. Request a certified copy if needed immediately

   For insurance claims or document replacements, you may need a certified (salinan disahkan) copy. Ask the officer at the counter — some stations provide it on the same visit, others require you to return. There may be a small fee (RM2–RM5) for certified copies.

4. Online Option: iPolis

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) offers online reporting for a limited set of non-emergency incidents.

Eligible cases for online filing:

• Lost documents: MyKad, passport, driving licence, vehicle registration card
• Theft of unattended property: item stolen while you were not present (e.g. parked car broken into, bag left unattended)
• Found property: you found someone else's belongings
• Minor property crime (no violence involved)

How to file online:

1. Go to the iPolis portal

   Visit pdrm.gov.my and look for the e-Laporan / iPolis section. Have your MyKad number ready.

2. Log in with your MyKad number

   Authentication is done via your IC number. No Singpass-style app required.

3. Select your incident category and fill in details

   Follow the form — describe what happened, when, and where. Attach photos if applicable.

4. Submit and save your report number

   You'll receive a report reference number by email or on-screen. Print or screenshot this. You may still be contacted by police for follow-up questions.

5. What to Bring

Must-haves:

• MyKad or passport — mandatory for identification. Without it, the officer cannot process your report.
• Your own account of what happened — dates, times, locations, people involved. Write it down beforehand so you don't forget details under stress.

Bring these if relevant:

• Photos or screenshots — of the incident, damage, messages, or transactions
• Receipts or invoices — for theft or fraud claims (shows value of what was taken)
• Bank statements or transaction records — for scam/fraud reports
• CCTV footage on a USB drive — officers can copy it directly
• Witness names and contact numbers — increases investigation chances
• Vehicle registration card (geran) — for accident or vehicle theft reports
• Insurance policy number — to reference in your accident report
• The other party's IC number or vehicle plate — if you have it

6. What Happens After You File

Filing the report is the start of a process, not the end. Here's what to expect:

You get a report number

Your laporan number is assigned to an investigating officer (IO) at the relevant station. This number tracks your case through the system.

The IO may contact you

For serious incidents (theft, fraud, assault), an investigating officer will call or summon you for a more detailed statement. Respond promptly — delays can affect your case.

For property crime and theft

Realistically, many petty theft cases (stolen phones, bag snatching) are not actively investigated due to resource constraints. However, the report is still essential for insurance claims and document replacement. For higher-value losses or if you have strong evidence (CCTV, suspect identity), follow up with the IO.

For fraud and financial crime

Cases involving significant financial fraud are handled by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID / Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersial). After filing your report, you can request your case be referred to CCID. For online scams, also report to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997.

For car accidents

After filing, provide your report number to your insurance company immediately. They will use it to open your claim. Both parties involved in the accident should have filed separate reports.

Follow up on your case

To check on case status, call the police station where you filed and quote your laporan number. For serious cases, ask the officer for the investigating officer's name and direct contact.

7. Getting a Certified Copy of Your Report

Many institutions (insurance companies, JPN, Immigration, banks) require a certified copy (salinan disahkan benar / certified true copy) rather than just the report number.

How to get a certified copy:

1. Return to the station where you filed

   Or any station — though the one where you filed may be faster. Bring your IC and your report number.

2. Go to the Report Counter (Kaunter Laporan)

   Tell them you need a certified copy (salinan disahkan) of report number [your number].

3. Pay the small fee and collect

   Certified copies typically cost RM2–RM5. The officer stamps and signs the copy to certify it. Processing is usually same-day at the counter.

8. Pro Tips

• File as soon as possible. Memory fades. Evidence disappears. For accidents, you legally must file within 24 hours for insurance. For fraud, faster filing = better chance of freezing scammer accounts.
• Write your statement before you go. A clear, chronological account with dates, times, and amounts helps the officer write an accurate report. Errors in the report are hard to correct later.
• Read your statement before signing. The officer writes in BM. If you're not fluent, ask for a verbal translation or bring someone who is. Errors on a signed statement can complicate your case.
• Get the investigating officer's name and contact. For serious cases (fraud, assault), you need a point of contact. Ask before you leave.
• Keep your report number safe. Lose it and you'll need to return to the station to retrieve it. Screenshot or photograph the report before filing it away.
• For online scams: report to multiple channels. File police report and call NSRC at 997 and report to your bank. Multiple touchpoints increase the chance of freezing the scammer's account before they move the money.
• You can file in any language. The report will be written in BM, but you can give your statement in English, Mandarin, Tamil — the officer will translate. If there's a language barrier, ask for an officer who speaks your language.

Frequently Asked Questions

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