The Lone Ranger...

Dear Residents,

Do you know why we started the security project?

Well, it is because the USJ 11 area has been reported to have the highest crime rate in the whole of USJ since 2007 and it had continued to climb. It was and still is a worrying trend. We had actually wanted to address this problem way back then and even approached the then ADUN for Subang Jaya, YB Datuk Lee Hwa Beng.

And today, we the committee members, are very grateful for whatever we have worked so hard for especially the last few months as the security project became a reality. The many meetings we had, the many walks we did in the hot sun and the many weekends we had to sacrifice. But it is all worth it as we have achieved what we set out to do.

It was also beyond our expectations, the overwhelming support we got from you – the residents of USJ 11/3. However, not all has been smooth sailing. In fact, there is a man-made storm on the horizon. No thanks to one selfish person.

It would now be timely to reveal to you the chronological of events that had happened since the day we started our G&G project here in USJ 11/3. Indeed on the very first day of the launch of our G&G, we faced a lot of problems.

Call it inexperience - call us newbie in this. There were indeed problems and it demanded our attention and time then. And it not so much came from the residents but from one person, the boss of DINEOUT. Well, here is the story…

When we faced objections from a few shop operators, we were at that time; trying to be discrete by keeping their identities away from you because we were worried about unnecessary backlash towards the shop operators. We were trying to use reasoning as a means to try and work things in a more civilized manner, to try and resolve the issues at hand with the shop operators.

Some of them were okay after listening to our reasons and what we intended or planned to do then, to try and resolve their issues and access problems.

There was also a comment from a resident named Jo in one of our earlier postings in our blog who wanted to know who the ‘bad apple’ was but we continued to maintain our position and kept their identities out from public view including the DINEOUT boss.

Well, we do not have to now, as he had come out openly to protest our security project during our “Get-to-know-your-neighbour” event last weekend. Of course, he did not realize that it has worked against him as some of the residents actually confronted him and gave him a piece of their minds!


DINEOUT Boss confronting and protesting to YB Hannah Yeoh after distributing leaflets to the USJ 11/3 residents during the "Get to know your neighbour" event.

Anyway, let us relate what had happened.

On the very first day of our launch of our security project about a month ago, the DINEOUT boss voiced out his objections, complaining to our ADUN, YB Hannah Yeoh when she came to officially open our security project. He also made several complains to MPSJ.

As a result, on that very afternoon, some MPSJ officers came to the shop area and ordered us to dismantle the drums and all. But the MPSJ officers also acknowledged that, at that time we were given an official letter from MPSJ stating that they had no objections to our G&G project. The officers then suggested to us to keep it open in the meantime while we have dialogs with the shop operators to resolve the problems. We subsequently agreed to the MPSJ officer's request.

However, once we removed the barriers, it immediately caused a lot of anxiety amongst some of you. We had to try and explain the situation as best we could. We knew we had a situation on our hands and we needed to resolve it as fast as we could.

During the first two weeks of our operations, the committee decided to seek a compromise with him and some of the shop operators. We decided to open the road on 11/3K upon his and the other shop operator’s request pending mutual discussion between us and them. They also laid down a few conditions for us to comply and even offered to reciprocate by paying for the security guard for the entrances which he suggested to be opened.

We then wrote to him and informed him that we are willing to compromise and willing to comply with some of their conditions. We were also very happy to accept their proposal as they were willing to share the costs of the additional guards for manning the opening of the additional entrance.

Unfortunately, when we went to meet with him the very next day, he turned us down and told us that he was no longer interested to discuss with us anymore and that he was ‘tired’. His sudden change of mind and action puzzled us and the other shop owners as the rest of them were willing to come to a compromise with us.

Since then, the committee has decided that we should be sensitive to the shop operators' request including the boss of DINEOUT. Hence we subsequently opened a gate at the shops from 10am – 10 pm to accommodate to their needs. And because of that, we have to hire an extra guard just to man that gate which cost us an additional RM2, 000 every month. Apparently he is still not satisfied! He now wants the entire area to be fully opened!

If that is the case, our entire security system will be compromised. It will impact what we have worked so hard to achieve – that is, crime prevention and to provide some means to ensure our safety.

The question here is, do we dismantle our security system to accommodate one man’s demands against the whole community’s safety? We strongly believe that with the installation and operations of our security system, the incidence of theft and robbery has been significantly reduced in our area.

Did you know that in the past, there were snatch thieves active around the shop area? Did you know why the restaurant at Chatters installed the railings?

That was because daring snatch thieves on motorcycles had rode past and snatched handbags and stuff lying on the table while the customers were eating in broad daylight!

They then make their getaways by using the many back lanes of our housing area towards one of the many exits available. And there were indeed many exits for them to use, until now that is. With the security project in place, we had actually blocked most of it. And we believe this measure has deterred potential criminals from coming in.

Anyway, recently, he launched a signature campaign instigating the other shop operators to protest against the security system. He had worked up the shop operators to join him in getting MPSJ to open up all our gates. He does not like the idea of us blocking the road citing the reason that it will affect his business.

But how can that be when we actually open up the gates and allow people who want to go to the shops to drive through during business hours? It is still the practice now. The only thing we do is to screen people who come into the area as a security measure as we do not want to have people who have no business here to come in.

Why then are we in this predicament? Why are we getting unnecessary headache from one man who wants to dismantle everything we have worked so hard for?

Is it so wrong to do something to help ourselves and keep our families and our homes safe? Is it so wrong to help out the already short-handed police force in our area in crime prevention?

We believe the G&G project has indeed made positive contributions to our safety. And for that we have to thank MPSJ, the Police in USJ and our ADUN who have all been very supportive and sympathetic towards our plight.

We have tried our very best to comply with whatever guidelines that were laid down by MPSJ. We did formally apply and got an official written reply from MPSJ stating they have no objection to our G&G concept before we actually went ahead. We tried to do everything right and to appease everyone. We just want our security. We just want to be safe.

But the DINEOUT boss wants it his way. He continues to push his agenda which is to tear everything down. And he is willing to go to great lengths to achieve that.

Yeah, that is a great idea! Why not help the thieves and the robbers instead of the 630 residents living here who are supporting the G&G project?

Yes, do let the robbers and thieves all have a field day here. After all, what are 630 households's needs as compared to a single shop operator?!!