Residents call for improved security

The Star 23/6/2004

OCCUPANTS of Perdana Selatan Apartments have asked for the installation of Close-Circuit Televisions (CCTV) and the employment of better security guards to eliminate frequent crime in the area. They also asked the government to impose mandatory caning for robbers and snatch thieves.  

During a dialogue with the management South City Plaza and the police last Saturday, the occupants said they were often threatened by robbers armed with knives.  

Serdang MP Datuk Yap Pian Hon, Sri Kembangan assemblyman Datuk Liew Weng Keong and Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) councillor Chew Lee Giok were also present at the dialogue.  

“Women often fall victim to these armed robbers, who usually attack in the morning near the lifts. Often, these victims are tied up and left in one of the many unlocked empty office lots here.  

“These robbers seem to have marked and observed their targets,” said the representative of Perdana Selatan Residents’ Association pro-tem committee Michael Yeap.  

Another occupant asked why the Resident Card system had been implemented when the guards did not bother checking the cards.  

They also urged the police to increase patrols in the area and asked the owners of the empty office lots to take safety precautions.  

South City Plaza senior complex manager Valentina Chong said the company had recently employed another two guards, one stationed at the security booth and the other to patrol Block A and B once every hour. 

She also said the management would lock vacant office lots on behalf of the owners.  

“We need owners and occupants’ cooperation for the situation to improve,” she said.  

Chew said the public should always be prepared to help each other defend themselves against theft and robbery, and urged the police to present awards of appreciation to those who helped capture suspects.  

“Sri Kembangan Police Station is manned by 55 officers and oversees an area measuring 27 sq km with a population of 138,000. The ratio between policemen and residents is 1 to 2,514. According to reports, crime in this area is under control,” said Yap.  

“Now that a new building for the station is ready, we hope more police personnel will be posted here,” he added.  

Yap said the problem in Perdana Selatan Apartments needed to be handled carefully, especially at Block A and B that housed both residential and commercial units.  

“These blocks cannot be entirely fenced up as it will greatly affect the businesses. As such, the management and occupants should hold monthly meetings to manage the situation,” he said.  

Liew urged the management to take occupants’ suggestions seriously and pointed out that cooperation between occupants, management and the police was vital to increase security