http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/18/focus/2833220&sec=focus

Thursday December 18, 2008

Why aren’t police beat bases doing their job?

IT is ironic that a friend visiting Malaysia inquired if the country is safe since he has not seen any policemen on the streets in Kuala Lumpur for the past two days. While the police claim that the crime rate in Malaysia is relatively low, I wonder if anyone in Kuala Lumpur doesn’t know of a theft victim! I live in Taman Connaught where we now have a police beat base on both sides of the highway after numerous complaints from residents. There are so many break-in and snatch theft incidences recently that one wonders what is the purpose of the beat base. For the past two years, I have only seen the police patrolling the neighbourhood once. Although a big banner at the beat base says you can make a police report anywhere, victims who make a report at the beat base still have to go to the Pudu police station to meet the investigating officer. In the wee hours of most weekends, Mat Rempits create a nuisance on the highway in front of these beat bases despite numerous complaints. And during the pasar malam every Wednesday, cars are parked haphazardly, blocking traffic in front of the police beatbases. In another incident recently, a friend’s car window was smashed and her handbag stolen at the Salak Selatan LRT parking lot. Imagine her surprise when the attending police officer at the station right across the parking lot informed her that such incidents happen regularly. Aren’t they paid to ensure the safety of citizens? Or is preventing snatch thefts and burglary not a priority for neighbourhood police stations? CONCERNED RESIDENT, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.