Professor Dr. Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin

Professor Dr. Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin is a leading Malaysian criminologist and Professor of Criminology at the Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. A pioneer in criminological studies, his work bridges psychology, forensic science, and social reform—advancing national policies, assessment systems, and rehabilitation practices.

He is the Founder and Executive Advisor of the Malaysian Criminological and Correctional Association (MCCA) and served as the Board of Directors and currently Think Tank of the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES), Ministry of Youth and Sports. His groundbreaking PhD research profiled 100 convicted murderers across 10 Malaysian prisons, providing the country’s first comprehensive psychological and criminological insight into violent offenders.

Professor Rahim has led major national projects under the Ministry of Home Affairs, including the development of the SPIER psychometric screening system, which revolutionized recruitment and behavioural assessment in enforcement agencies. He has also developed psychosocial rehabilitation modules for inmates and contributed to national frameworks on extremism prevention and crime reduction.

An accomplished academic, he has authored 18 books published by university presses, produced over 100 journal articles, and written 10 policy papers for Malaysian government agencies. His expertise is widely sought by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Malaysian Prisons Department.

Beyond academia, Professor Rahim is deeply committed to crime awareness advocacy at the community level, particularly through outreach programmes for schools and youth groups nationwide. He has appeared in over 100 television and radio interviews and 25 crime documentaries, sharing expert insights on crime prevention and public safety. Honoured with numerous national awards, including the Anugerah Bitara Kriminologi (KDN, 2019) and the First-Class Commissioner General of Prisons Medal (2023), he continues to champion criminology as a force for safer and more resilient communities.

As a criminologist, making an impact means transforming research into action that uplifts communities and prevents harm before it happens. It is about using science, empathy, and education to build safer societies, address social ills, and empower the vulnerabl, while inspiring the next generation to stand against crime and injustice.