Making a point: Yeoh (centre) giving her views during the meeting with residents associations, Loh (second from right) and police officers.


Tuesday June 17, 2008
More crime cases reported in Subang Jaya

By THO XIN YI. The Star

SUBANG JAYA residents are having sleepless nights due to the increased crime cases, especially break-ins, in their residential areas.

In Wangsa Baiduri alone, there have been at least six break-ins in the past four weeks, while USJ 5 and USJ 2 recorded at least four and three cases respectively. In view of the urgent need to address the problem, representatives from Subang Jaya Residents Association (SJRA), USJ Residents Association (USJRA), Bandar Sunway Residents Association (BSRA) and Wangsa Baiduri Residents Association (WBRA) had a closed door meeting with Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne, Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh and heads of police stations recently at Yeoh's office. Among the polices who attended the meeting were C/Insp Sulaiman Baputty of the SS17 Police Station and C/Insp Foo Teik Fong of the USJ 8 Police Station.

Yeoh said that topics discussed in the meeting included requests to increase the police patrol and start the voluntary police scheme. “There are insufficient patrol cars and manpower but the presence of police should really be beefed up on the streets,” she said. “Anyone below 35 years of age can take part in the voluntary police training session. “I will announce the next intake when there's one,” she said.

Yeoh also urged the residents to change their ignorant attitudes and start to know their neighbours. “Most of the people are not willing to help even if they see crime happening under their nose, thinking that it is none of their business. I really hope that they will take a proactive role. Instead of building up fences to isolate themselves, they should get to know their neighbours and exchange numbers with each other,” she said.

Citing herself as an example, she said she would message her neighbours if she heard unusual noises at night, and would come out from the houses together with her neighbours to check on suspicious happenings.

“It is also important to lodge police reports to ensure that the crime cases are recorded. If possible, bring a copy of the police report to us so that we can keep track of the statistics,” she said.

Loh suggested to have the police sharing tips with the public on what to do during and after break-ins. “There should be two different guidelines for both the victims and neighbours on how to protect themselves, and what's the best thing to do when such things happen,” he said.

USJRA chairman PC Yeoh shared his idea of kicking off a Know-Your-Neighbour campaign within the residential areas where dialogues with police can be held to further curb crime cases. WBRA representative Jamil Shariff said break-ins still happened at their area despite it is a gated and guarded community.

“Cases like this happened regardless of daytime or evening. The burglars came in cars and everything took place in a flash,” he said.

On a separate matter, Yeoh urged the public to contact the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) hotline at 03-5637 6545 should they encounter anyone putting up illegal ah long (loan sharks) banners without MPSJ logos.