Replies to some comments made

Dear Residents,

I am extracting two comments related to our Security measures in USJ 11/3 which I thought will be good to be shared by all. I have also replied to the comments made by these two residents. Please do read the following.

The Editor

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Comment # 1:

Thank you for the prompt action taken to increase security. I understand that all these are for our own sake, but shouldn't everyone be bounded by the same restrictions? It has been more than a month since the small gate near USJ11/3D is closed, and I have been diligently using another gate though it means longer route and extra time. I have been accepting this fact though at times frustrated especially when I am running late. However, recently I realized that some residents (perhaps committee members) do have keys to the lock. On the morning of 26th July, I found the gate unlocked with no one guarding it. I couldn't think of another reason other than someone with the keys has conveniently use them and forget to lock it back. While I am not asking for the gate to be reopened, but if selected few could have the keys to use the gate, wouldn't it be unfair for the other paying residents?

Our Reply:

Dear sir/madam,

Thank you for highlighting this matter. Please do understand that the Committeee members do not do this full time and there will be inherent flaws that may come about due to many reasons which may have been overlooked. The best thing to do in this case is to get in touch with the Street Leader concerned . If you do not get the response you need kindly escalate the matter to any of the Committee members. Their contacts are all published in earlier postings.

Editor


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Comment # 2:
 
I am a 17 year old college girl. And don't think just because I am still a teenager my opinion does not matter. I have been living here for more then 15 years. And can I say after the whole gate and guarded thing, I am a little annoyed? No. I am extremely angry and annoyed. No doubt, the whole "gate and guarded" did make our usj11/3 more safer. The crime rates went down as well. Thank you very much. But do you know how much inconveniance it causes others? First of all, the small gates. "Thank God they have small gates!" I thought to myself when the fence came up. Maybe it would not be as easy to go out as it was last time, but it doesn't matter, all it takes is a few more steps and wallah! I reach the small gates.But now apparently, the gates are locked at 9pm. Ok, this is the part where I am EXTREMELY pissed off about. Every damn small gate in the neighborhood is locked at 9pm. I am a teenager, and naturally, I have a social life, so I go alot at night. And the worst part is, I live at usj11/3A. So I have to walk all the way to the guardhouse just to get out of the neighborhood. And yes, I know I know, its because they were a few houses that had a break in thats why the "locked the gates at 9pm" rule came out. But do you know how much inconveniance it causes others. And trust me, all of my friends that is living in usj11/3 feels the same way too. And your probably going to shoot the whole "there is a key for the small gates, and all I have to do is stop complaining and order them" thing at me right? Well, I tell you, I ordered the key. But until now, my key has not arrive. Did I pay? Damn right I did.

So now after 10 or is it 11 pm? I dont know. The ONLY entrance to usj11/3 is the gate infront of the shop lots. I am EXTREMELY pissed off at this aswell. What if one day someone had a stroke or something, and the ambulance was called, but when the ambulance reached usj11/3 it took atleast 5 minutes to try to locate the entrance. And by the time it reaches the person's house. Its too late. Just so you know Mr or Mrs, whoever that is incharge here, "Every second counts." And plus, I think somewhere in the law, it is illegal to block all entrances like that. I don't know weather its true, but my dad said it.

The third thing is, the guards are slugballs. I'm trying to find a word to describe them that is not so offensive. So slugballs it is. Everytime I walk pass some of them, they would blow wistles and say "Amoi. Balik rumah ah Ah Moi?". Its disgusting and disrespectful. And some of your comeback would probably be "It must be the way this girl is wearing lahh. She must have shown to much skin. Stupid girl, bring it on to herself and try to blame us."

Well I tell you, everytime I walk pass them, is when I am walking back from school.(last year) So technically I am in school uniform, and I always wear baju kurung (eventhough I am a chinese). And I dont think that is showing off too much skin. Infact, there is nothing to see in a baju kurung uniform. They are the guards, shouldn't they be protecting us instead of making us feel so uncomfortable?

And mind you, not all of them are like that. Just the ones that are guarding at the small gates infront of MPSJ in the afternoon. That's all I have to say. And by the way, everything that is posted here, is not from me only.


Our Reply:

Dear Miss 17 Year Old College girl,

Thank you for your comments. You are correct in saying that your opinion does matter (even though you are only 17). After all, you are a resident in USJ 11/3 and that technically makes you part of our community.

I would like you to understand first and foremost, that the Committee members/Street Leaders, are just like you and me. Not some "Mr or Mrs who is in charge here..." as you have described us as if we are some "invaders" from some other planet. We are ALL residents here in USJ 11/3 who have a common interest  - our safety. And in order to make our area as safe as possible, inevitably, we will have to deal with some inconveniences. This may come as a surprise to you but these inconveniences also applies equally to us all in the Committee as well.

Basically you are showing a lot of frustrations in your comments but that is understandable. But please ask yourself this - did you try to speak to any of the Committee members or Street Leaders about these issues? Their names and contacts are all published in earlier postings and they are friendly approachable people. Did you at least attempt to call any of them to share your concerns with them?

Constructive feedbacks from you and everyone else are important for us to do things right. We are residents, not some professional security companies, hence do expect flaws along the way. We do not do this all the time as all of us have regular jobs like your parents.

From your mail, I can identify three problems:

1. The locked small gates are posing problems to you - I suggest you get in touch with your Street Leader immediately so that it can be brought up in our regular meetings to be addressed and resolved.

2. The keys - again, please get in touch with your Street Leaders. If you have made payment, there is no reason why you were not given the key although this idea of issuing keys did not really work well.

3. The bad behaviour of the guards - please note down time and date and also if possible names of the guards. If you have a cellphone with a camera - take a photo of that guard and send it to us. We will take this up with the security company. They are employed to take care of our area so if they get out of line, we will do something about it. But judging from your complaint, chances are they are not our guards but guards from MPSJ.

The thing is, you are getting all worked up over such issues for nothing. Rather than calling names (slugball? - not cool) and getting "pissed off" (double not cool) why not just behave like a young adult and address it accordingly (and that is how you want to be treated right?). No need to express it like what you have done in your comment (words like "pissed off" several times).

Since you appreciate the crime rate has come down, I would like you to think about this. You are right about the safety thing after we have implemented our G&G. Imagine, now you are upset over some "cat calls" from the guards but what would happen if something more serious were to happen to you?

Like criminals breaking into your home and raping you and/or harming your family members? Do not for a moment think that this is not a possibility as there are much worst (what do you call them?) "slugballs" out there who are quite capable of carrying out such henious crimes!

So while we want to talk about the law being broken and emergency vehicles getting delayed in responding to emergencies and all that, would it not be fair to say that sometimes the law does not work to our advantage and that something needs to be done about it?

For example, lately there has been a lot of protest to the ISA. In this case, it does not mean that just because the law is there, it should be blindly abided. Rather because it appears to have inherent flaws, it should be challenged instead.

Now, would it not be logical for us to ask it for the present law towards the G&G be changed if it worked against us in terms of our safety? The government is in fact reviewing this G&G phenomena from the legal perspective. You must have read it as it was in the papers recently.

Anyway, I appreciate and would like to thank you for your comment again. You are a bright teenager growing into a young adult. Soon, in turn we hope, you too, can contribute to our safety and the safety of our community in the future as we, the present Committee members, look forward to the day when we can hand all these responsibilities to young adults like you.

Regards.

Editor

Letter from Peggy on behalf of the guards

Dear Residents,

I have an email from Peggy (of which I am posting below) who has expressed gratefulness, on behalf our security guards who have worked very hard to keep us safe - 24/7. It is these little gestures by these kind residents that make them feel appreciated thus making them more committed to us and to our safety. So, to these kind residents, thank you and please do continue with your kind gestures. Not like some residents who does the exact opposite!

You know, standing in the searing heat, in their smart uniforms, beating thunder storms and heavy rain are nothing compared to being shouted at, abused verbally with flowery words that only the morons who uses it, only understands it themselves while at the same time, threatening bodily harm by idiotic drivers who lives in this area. And it does not only confine to men! You will be surprised to know that even some women drivers are doing it as well! Shame on all of you!

These people are so rude and unreasonable. They do not want to pay or participate in our security scheme but would throw their weight and would not hesitate to bully these poor guards who are only doing their job for us, the more than 500+ households who have employed them.

Well, a friendly advice to all these people. If you are not happy, please come and talk to their bosses, that is, the 500+ households or the committee members. You do not have the right to verbally abuse the guards as it is us, the 500+ households who had put them there! So, if you have a problem come see us. We will be most 'happy' to meet with you. So, the next time you intend on shouting at the guards, we would like to let you know that we are watching you, so be nice!

Anyway, we are making an appeal for donation of bicycles. So anyone who has a spare bike at home and is not using it, can you please donate it to us? If it needs repair, we will fix it. With that, at least these guys can move around more easily. In case you do not know, they are not allowed on motorcycles as they do not hold Malaysian Driving License.


Anyway, here is the mail from Peggy. Check it out...!


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Jeff,

Please be informed that the security guards would like to express their appreciation and thanks to the residents of USJ 11/3 that have given them food and drinks while they were on duty. This meant a lot to them as they've been receiving many unkind remarks and gestures from uncouth drivers.

There is a need for bicycles to enable the guards to move around quickly, especially in the daytime at Gate 4. This will aid in informing drivers of the illegal parking that is just opposite taipan.

May I suggest that you include this in our blog to enable our residents to be generous and donate some bicycles for them.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks & Regards,
Peggy

Who is first?

Dear Residents,

This morning, I had an interesting email from Michael Chow, one of our committee members which I am reproducing here...

Dear All,

Break-In Update

I was told by my neighbor (X USJ 11/3M - actual address removed) that their house were broken into yesterday afternoon. When the police arrived to do the investigation, they said that yesterday alone, 6 houses were broken into in our area!
Are these people trying to beat our dateline in setting up the Guarded Community!

BR

Michael Chow

Road safety talk by Dr. Leong

Dear USJ Neighbour,

Road accident is a threat to every neighbourhood and community. Over 6,000 people die on Malaysian roads each year. Another 9,000 suffer serious injuries from road accidents which often result in physical disability, trauma, loss of employment and lasting pain, suffering and financial burden to the family. About 20,000 incur minor injuries, not to mention losses due to damages to vehicles and road infrastructures. The cost to society is enormous. We can and should do something about this.

On behalf of the Transportation & Logistics Program at the Malaysia University of Science & Technology (MUST), we wish to invite you to our Road Safety Seminar on Monday 28 July 2008. The theme is "Working Together to Save Lives: Exploring Opportunities in Road Safety." Admission is free. Please help us extend this invitation to your colleagues and friends.

Speakers in this seminar will outline the issue, challenges and opportunities for small businesses, large corporations, local government authorities, research institutions, universities and local communities to participate. People and organisations can get involved in saving lives as a commercial business or as voluntary community work. The seminar will also discuss the types of funding that can be explored and raised to finance road safety ideas and activities. This will also be a seminar to get feedback and recommendations from concerned participants.

The brochure is attached. (Please read below for attachment). You can also register online at: http://www.must.edu.my/roadsafety/register.php or email your details to roadsafetyseminar@must.edu.my.

Thank you and warmest regards.

Sincerely,
Choon Heng

Leong Choon Heng PhD
Associate Professor
Malaysia University of Science & Technology

Dear Residents,

Sorry for not being able to put attachment with this posting as it is in an incompatible format, that is, pdf. But please do respond to Dr. Leong if you are interested and he can send you the details. You can reach him at chleong@must.edu.my.

EDITOR

Posting from Ken

Story from Ken....


Hi Jeff

I attended the morning eleven trees gathering on 6th but had left early due to some business appointment.

I appreciate the initiative and works of the pro tem commitee in organising this dialogue on gated community. Gated community is something we need to have due to the deteriorating security in our neighborhood if not in the country. However, as put up bluntly by YB Hannah Yeoh, this is extremely difficult to get the cooperation from majority of the neighbours, which I totally agree based on my past experience as a committee member of a Resident Association in organising the gated neighborhood.

Well living in USJ11/3 for 12 years. I had my share of the interesting life here. Just to share with you my wife was robbed on a saturday 10am when she was taking an innocent leisure walk with my 2 children to the shops behind (Kai Sin Coffee shop). That was 12 years ago when we first moved here, not many had moved in yet during those time and it was those indonesian workers that were still working around here. Life become more interesting in 2005 to 2007.

My neighbours No.57, USJ11/3D, Mr.Lim lost a Wira, then his Waja, both incidents he has his car parked outside.His wife Ms Gan got rubbed off her Camry at 3pm by the Camry gang with parang. The family have had enough and moved out to the gated housing in Kota Kemuning in 2007.

My other neighbor No.58, also lost a car. Also my neighbour No.53 Mr. Yong who is now 11/3D committee member, lost his son's car Wira at 8am one morning.

Oh am I the lucky one being at No.55, I have thought of moving out; also for the safety of my children. Being the end lot, I have 4 lights on at nite. I am lucky to have Mr. Yong as my neighbor who has 3 lights on every nite. That is also why, there are many cars parked at this alley way as it is bright.

But my fear is in the afternoons, as my children are the ones who are only at home. Just hoping Ron, my Tshi Tshu dog, which I keep inside the house, will help to make some noise at home, most of the time he is asleep as he a a pet dog and not a guard dog.

Also last year along 11/3D, a house further down, no. thirty something, lost a Estima at 8pm in 2006 when the Camry gang was active. After hearing the commotion and screams, I run out and witnessed the Estima being driven away at high speed passing my house by the Camry Gang, of course with the Camry gang in another Camry following behind. I don't see that family anymore as I am sure it scared the hell out of the old couple, most probably they had move out.

Talk about snatch thief, beside my wife's experience in 1996, in 2005 to 2007, my daughter's piano teacher was robbed when she came to my house at 3pm for my daughter's piano lesson. Mr.Yong's wife has experienced it. I came across 2 other cases, one in front of my house at 8pm and another at 3pm at the side road (as I have said my house is end lot)

Then there are thieves climbing into the house. In 2007, one thief climbed into my house at 8pm, Mr.Yong saw him. This year, my neighbour No.56 Stanley, had his house ransacked, he was not in but his elder brother happen to come back at 8pm, open the gate and his wife walked into the house with the thief running out. It scared the hell out of her, her back door was pried open. I managed to rewind my CCTV recording and saw a fat man with a brief case acting like saleman pressing his door bell innocently and looking around to see whether he was being watched, after which he climbed in by the side.

A month later, his car was ransacked and again I watched the CCTV and saw a man climbing in by the side.

Well it is dangerous to live along 11/3D. These incidents happened around my house. What about other cases which I don't know. I do hope something well come out of this gated community initative.

Regards
Ken Kan

Attacked by a 'old newspaper' dealer!

Submitted by Adrian Nathan who lives in USJ 11/3 via email.

Here is his personal account.

10.20am this morning.. I decided to go out and took my car keys. As I was about to enter the car, I saw the "old newspaper" lorry pass and decided to sell my pile of old newspaper... Two men, after I open the gate got rude (why u keep dogs, all dogs useless, if robbery one kick they fly, anybody keep dogs are useless, cant depend on themselves, very stupid people...blah, blah..) ..but I tolerated until the 6th or 7th time, so I said, its ok, please leave, as I dont want to sell it to you anymore. They insist of taking the papers, which I didnt allow... one of the men took up my dining chair and wanted to hit me over the head. Instead as i would naturally would do, of running off, I somehow without thinking dashed towards him and he dropped the chair. After he dropped the chair,he punch me in the eye. Think I was too angry to be fearful or feel the pain, with my keys as weapon, I kept punching him on his chest with the keys till they broke. Good thing my brown dog Clacton somehow managed to escape from bedroom and helped me (cos he was kept in room so the men can come take the papers)... the other guy behind me (which I didnt see) wanted to take another chair to hit me from behind... as I kept shouting for Help, help, my mum came out and pick up a chair too.. which the men then ran before picking a poltted plant and wanted to throw it at me...

So, from today onwards, I will NEVER sell old newspaper anymore. Anyone around here see a old newspaper lorry, red front with wooden brown back, registration WLR1691.... dont call him in, call the Police instead as they treat this rather seriously cos they come inside house and attack. The Balai Polis in USJ8 tel is 03-5635 6904. The Chief Inspector Roslin have been quite understanding, and gave me his personal mobile number as well.. just in case this idiot come back, so he can send a car over asap to arrest him.

Thankfully, I have installed CCTV, so whole incident is recorded, and we will burn a disk for the police tomorrow so their lab can have a wanted picture of this Chinese man (about 28 years to 30), and one dark skin man about 30 (could be Thai or Cambodian, I am unsure .. but is pretty dark skin).