Prevent railway reserve from being used as criminal conduit

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the City Hall, Kuala Lumpur CHKL), and the Transport Ministry jointly to attempt to prevent criminals from using railway reserve that adjoins residential areas as conduit to entering these areas to commit crimes.

In the evening of 30 July, 2006, Dr Tan met some residents at Jalan Raya, Taman Kepong, beside the Taman Kepong-Bukit Maluri flyover, and taken round the area.

Just as other places, residents of Jalan Raya face security problems such as snatch thefts and break-ins. In fact, during the last Chinese New Year, one male university student was killed by criminals at Taman Petaling, a stone’s throw away.

On 16 May, 2006, media reported that Jalan Raya residents formed a Residents’ Association with a MCA Federal Territory Youth Deputy leader Mr Yee as an advisor. The association has appointed a security firm to look after 258 houses in the area.

I have proposed that the IGP set up guidelines and monitoring procedures for security firms in the country.

A few residents insist that each house pays RM150 security fee every three months, that is, RM50 a month. After listening to complaints from residents, the Residents’ Association will adjust accordingly.

This residential area has two little bridges astride a monsoon drain. It adjoins a railway reserve of about 500 yards, not far from the Commuter Station. During early hours, suspects use this reserve land as conduit to enter the area to commit crimes. Hence, we hope that CHKL and the Transport Ministry work jointly and quickly, to prevent criminals using the reserve land as conduit.