The number, 07-2212999, was set up with the agreement of Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk N. Parameswaran and Johor police chief Datuk Mokhtar Shariff.

Parameswaran said the high commission and the state police had held discussions to outline steps to counteract crime and to create a safe environment for Malaysians and foreign visitors, including Singaporeans.

"The hotline is manned on a 24-hour basis and staffed by personnel able to handle calls in English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil," he said.