From The Malay Mail, 21 January 2009 (http://www.mmail.com.my/Bangsar_unsafe,_say_residents.aspx)
Residents are up in arms over the alarming crime trend in the Bangsar neighbourhood.
Following the brutal attack on 64-year-old Croatian lecturer Dr Andelko Simic on Monday, residents want the situation to improve quickly.
Bukit Bandaraya Residents’Association (RA) deputy president Mumtaz Ali said: “It is disturbing that crime is now so rampant.”
“Day by day, it’s getting worse. I recently met with Brickfields district police chief and proposed that police mount constant patrols, even plainclothes policemen. Also, roadblocks must be put up often — even if these cause traffic inconvenience. He told me police would work on it,” he said, adding that members of the public should inform police of suspected crimes.
Mumtaz said he had asked the Kuala Lumpur mayor last May to improve on streetlights, closed-circuit television cameras, strategically placed mirrors and guard rails.
Bangsar Baru RA president Datuk George Joseph said: association has noticed that crime has become more rampant.
“Between September and Decembe last year, there were many cases where weapons like parang were used in snatch thefts. We’ve had break-ins and even arson. It has become extremely frightening,” he said, adding that he has spoken to the Brickfields police chief as well.
“I think police must be seen, not just patrolling the streets just for the sake of their work. We need some real commitment from them. We actually want them to come and give talks and teach us,” said Joseph, adding that he was waiting for City Hall and residents’ support and approval to make Bangsar Baru a gated community.
Medan Damansara RA secretary Peter Raiappan expressed shock that the most recent case involved the burning of two cars.
“Crime is taking on a new dimension. This was a coordinated attack. The question is, what are the authorities doing? Bangsar has become a hotspot, crime is becoming more violent as people are becoming more desperate. This is very frightening,” said Raiappan, who is also asking when CCTVs would be installed.
“What City Hall can do is to provide subsidy to harness the RAs and encourage them to undertake private security patrols. I don’t think police can ever provide enough security to satisfy the public, as manpower is very limited. So this may be the way,” he said.
Brickfields district police chief ACP Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said police would step up patrol activities in Bangsar and Brickfields during the festive season.
“The statistics for 2007 and 2008 show there was a decrease in crime,” he said, confirming that a police report was made by his officers on the attack on Simic and another report was lodged yesterday at the Brickfields police station by Simic’s colleague.
“We have yet to speak to the victim, and will wait for his condition to be stabilised,” he said.
He brushed off neighbours’ claims that police arrived late and said an internal investigation revealed that response was within the promised 15 minutes.
He advised that calls be made to the 24-hour Brickfields operations room at 03-22744465 for cases taking place in the Brickfields district as calls to 999 would usually take time to be re-routed to appropriate stations.
