First line of defence is self-security

First line of defence is 'self-security'
23/09/2004 NST By RICHARD CHAN President, PPK Malaysia

I REFER to the letter "Only a few beefing up security at car parks," (NST, Sept 21). It was a year before the Canny Ong case that Persatuan Pengurusan Kompleks Malaysia (Malaysian association for shopping and highrise complex management) responded to and was closely involved with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government on security in car parks.

We were again called upon during the Canny Ong case when we made many statements with regard to security in car parks, both covered and uncovered.

Recommendations and guidelines were given on several committees both to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Home Ministry.

We even came out with a training manual for security personnel in shopping complexes. Even though so much has been said, no one can guarantee total safety and security in any situation.

We believe "self-security" is the first line of defence. I cannot respond with regard to car parks belonging to non-members of PPK Malaysia, but I believe that when shopping complexes/malls are interested in attracting customers, it must surely be a strong enough incentive to improve and keep on improving their safety and security.

(Please do see our website at www.ppkm.org.my for our articles on security.)

As for closed-circuit television, our previous survey of member complexes shows that more than 80 per cent do have cameras installed in their car parks as well as other security features such as strobe lights and sirens which are activated during incidents, boom gates/barriers/humps at entrances and exits, and security posts at exits and within car parks.

The locations of these CCTVs are not necessarily obvious to shoppers and other patrons, but there are more than 200 in Berjaya Times Square alone, for example, and 100 to 150 each in the Mid Valley Megamall and Sunway Pyramid.