By MARTIN CARVALHO
PETALING JAYA: With security being stepped up at shopping malls following a spate of incidents there, residents' associations (RAs) are calling on the Government to “empower” them by extending help to housing areas as well.
RAs are seeking smart-partnerships with the relevant authorities
such as the police and local councils to further improve security in their
areas.
Medan Damansara RA secretary Peter
Raiappan said the fear of crime has led residents to take proactive measures by
hiring security services.
“There should be a way for the
authorities to regulate, train and empower private security personnel to ensure
they are able to perform their duties more effectively,” he said.
Among the proposals, he said were
uniform guidelines for RAs wishing to engage private security services and
standard operating procedures for RA guard posts.
He cited examples where arguments
have ensued when visitors were stopped by security personnel for verification.
“The police should give some basic
training to guards manning such posts like what is being done for security
personnel at the malls,” he added.
He also called on the Government to consider providing subsidies
for eligible RAs.
“Residents pay between RM50 and RM150
a month for private security services.
“However, it is unfair as some
residents refuse to contribute although they enjoy the added security,” he
said.
Bandar Utama RA chairman Lim See Meng supported the proposal to empower RAs
as it would complement the government's efforts to ensure the safety of
citizens.
“Empowering and training security
personnel would help security guards discharge their duties more effectively,”
he said.
He noted that many security firms are
forced to rely on foreign and untrained personnel.
He said currently his RA forks out
RM1.5mil a year for private security services.
Currently, the Petaling Jaya City
Council (MBPJ) provides a RM5,000 incentive annually to all eligible RAs under
its Neighbourhood Safety Team Programme for the purpose of organising
security-related programmes.
Housing and Local Government
Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heungsaid he would
comment on the matter soon.
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