Mapping crime hotspots in PJ

PETALING JAYA: Crime hotspots here will be mapped as part of efforts to make the city safer.

Yesterday, the Petaling Jaya City Council presented the police with an Australian-based geographic information system (GIS).

The system will be used to map crime hotspots in Petaling Jaya by analysing data from recent police records.

The outcome from the mapping exercise will then be used to identify areas which would need better policing.

This would include placing more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, setting up police beat base and increasing patrols.


The use of GIS to map crime hotspots is among the 23 steps listed under the Petaling Jaya Safe City programme which was implemented in 2004.

Selangor Crime Investigation Department deputy chief Assistant Commissioner Khaw Kok Chin said between Jan 1 and Feb 15, last year, about 1,307 cases were recorded on the crime index for Petaling Jaya.

However, there had been a slight reduction during the same period this year which saw only 1,167 cases.

"There's a slight decrease in the crime index but we want to reduce the numbers further and with the mapping system, we are a step closer to achieving this," he said.

Khaw also said that theft, car theft and house break-ins were the three most common crime in residential areas.

Among the areas with a high theft rate are Section 5, Taman Medan, Desa Mentari, SS3 and Sea Park.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said RM43,500 had been allocated in this year's budget.

He also said 22 CCTV cameras had been fixed around the city and 30 more were expected to be installed this year.

Apart from mapping of crime hotspots and the installation of CCTV cameras, the Petaling Jaya Safe City programme also includes cleaning and tidying up concealed and unkempt areas, sharing of information between local authorities and the police and lighting up of potential crime areas.

"A team has also been formed to look into crime-related matters in Petaling Jaya.

"It is led by Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San," added Roslan.

The Ox continues its bull run

KUALA LUMPUR: For many, it is still Chinese New Year as celebrations and open houses continue to be held

In Petaling Jaya, a belated CNY celebration drew a crowd of over 5,000 people. For the first time, a parade comprising stilt walkers, dragon and lion dancers, decorated cars and school bands marched past the council headquarters.

The event was organised by the PJ city council, residents and sponsors from the private sector.

Residents of Sungai Way, meanwhile, were feted with a buffet during an open house held by Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San.

More than 1,000 people turned up, including 20 from the Sungai Way old folks home. The crowd was entertained by a lion dance and karaoke performances.

A lucky draw was also held.

Residents upset over access road

PETALING JAYA: Residents in Section 22 staged a peaceful protest yesterday against the developer of a condominium project which they fear will turn their neighbourhood into a congested area.

About 300 people gathered in front of the Paramount View condominium project site and carried placards objecting to the development.

The residents were upset that the developer was going ahead with the building of the main access road to the condominium along Jalan SS1/25 despite a stop-work order issued by the Petaling Jaya City Council.

They said the access road would add to the traffic congestion along Jalan SS1/25.

Petaling Jaya councillor S. Ramakrishnan, who was present at the gathering, said the council had only allowed roads to be built along Jalan SS1/26 and not along Jalan SS1/25.

"The matter will be discussed next Thursday with the relevant authorities," said Ramakrishnan.

Residents also threatened to build a wall to prevent vehicles from the condominium going through Jalan SS1/25 and Jalan 22/44 if the developer continues to disregard their request.

They claimed that the development work had led to cracks in their houses.

Residents also complained that the lorries going in and out of the construction site had damaged the roads in the area.

They blamed the project for clogging up the drains and causing flash floods in the area.

"The drainage system is ruined, we never had flooding problems before but now we do," said resident Alimah Arsat.

Another resident R. Indran said the residents were never consulted over the project.

"There was no public hearing and we only learnt about it when the piling work started. The massive project has taken a toll on us and the developer isn't keen to help us."

Resident David Chong said a friend of his, who is a consultant, had told him that there was soil movement beneath his house.

However, when the developer's insurance agent visited his house, he was told that his house was safe to be occupied.

"Until today, I have not been given any documentation to support their claim that my house is safe to be occupied. The developer also has not repaired the cracks in my house," he said.

Also present at yesterday's gathering were Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament Tony Pua and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San.

100 up Uncle Naraya still on the go

PETALING JAYA: Most people, rich or poor, don't get to welcome the New Year like Uncle Naraya.

Uncle Naraya, whose full name is K.S. Naraya Iyer Subramania Vidhyar, has just ushered in the New Year at the grand age of 100.

The centenarian, who still hops on buses in PJ, attributes his longevity to long walks and a strict diet.

Uncle Naraya, who was born on Nov 5, 1908 in Kerala, India, came to Malaya in 1924.

In 1934, he married S. Mangalambal and fathered three boys and three girls. His wife died in 1977.

Vijaya, 64, the youngest of Naraya's children, said his father led an active life. Naraya stopped driving when he was 70 years old.

"He would have his morning walks near his home and walk as far as 2km before having a breakfast of vege diet. My father still shaves himself," said Vijaya.

Naraya's daughter-in-law S. Jeya, who looks after him at her home in Petaling Jaya, said he has no health problem.

"He has been a vegetarian since young. His only problem is his eyesight as he is partially blind. He had to quit his morning walks as age has weakened his movements," she said.

"He was also active in the stock market and was once a stock consultant," she said.

Naraya retired in 1968 as an assistant engineer in the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department.

Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San visited Narayana recently and registered him under the Selangor state "Mesra Usia Emas'' scheme. The scheme offers the registrants' next-of-kin RM2,500 for funeral expenses.

Rodziah Ismail, who is in charge of state welfare, women affairs, science, technology and innovation, said the Mesra Usia Emas scheme started last October and 60,000 old folks have registered.

"The scheme is designed in such a way to give proper burial and respect to the deceased. There are cases when families have to borrow money for the burial costs.

To avoid abuse of the fund, Rodziah said village chiefs or state assemblymen will get details of the deceased as well as of the beneficiaries.

"Proper documents need to be looked into. As the death certificate will take some time to be issued, documents like police reports and burial certificates will be sufficient," she said.

Rodziah said relatives of registered Selangor residents who die in other states while travelling and are buried outside Selangor, are also eligible for the fund.

The Mesra Usia Emas scheme applies to those aged 60 and above, those born in Selangor or the Federal Territory before Feb 1, 1974 or those who have been residing in Selangor for at least 15 years.

The beneficiaries will have to produce original death certificate of the deceased to collect RM1,000 from the state assemblymen. The assemblymen will then stamp the certificates to prevent people from collecting more than once. The remaining RM1,500 will be issued within 60 days.

To register for the scheme, senior citizens must bring along two photocopies of their IC, two photocopies of the beneficiaries' IC; and two photocopies of their caretakers' IC (if he/she is not the beneficiary).

For details, call 03-5544 5578/ 03-5544 5579.

Bus woes for Sungai Way residents

PETALING JAYA: Most residents in Sungai Way rely on public transport especially buses. However, they often have to wait for hours.

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said the existing public transport system left much to be desired.

"We received complaints from residents that it takes them two hours to reach Kelana Jaya LRT from Sungai Way. The waiting process is just too long.

"Only Rapid KL provides bus services here. However, there was a period when Metro was also providing bus services but it stopped due to unknown reasons. More bus services are needed in the area," said Pua during a donation ceremony.

Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San and Pua gave RM1,500 worth of food items to Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia also known as Rumah Orang Tua Kampung Baru Sungai Way.


The old folks home has 60 tenants and most are above the age of 60. The home was launched in 1966 by the late Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak.

The operational cost of the home is RM15,000 every month and it runs solely on public donations..

"We hope for contributions from the public, government and private sectors. In times of economic crisis, our funds will dry up and we hope the public will always remember to do their share for the needy," said Tee Yoon Ming a committee member of the home.

Call to pick bosses of calibre

THE best brains, irrespective of race and skin colour should lead state government-linked companies (GLCs), Lau Weng San (DAP-Kampung Tunku) said yesterday.

He said this was because the fate of the state government depended on whether the GLCs remained profitable, so that funds were always available to take care of the people's welfare.

Debating the Development and Planning of Selangor 2025 yesterday, Lau suggested that a committee be formed to select chief executive officers and senior officers at state GLCs.

"The state should ensure only those with abilities and calibre are selected."

Lau added that the crucial thing for those selected was to be able to protect the rights of all, regardless of race.


On the revelation that the State Development Corporation (PKNS) had handed 75 per cent of development projects to non-Malays either directly or indirectly for the past 44 years, he said this indicated that the corporation could not look after the rights of the Malays well.

"This directly stifled the opportunity for Malay companies to be on equal standing with non-Malay companies."

Lau said PKNS should uphold the interest of all people, regardless of race, by providing affordable homes.

He said in Bangi and Kajang, PKNS was engaged in joint-venture projects to build high-end bungalows and condominiums, contrary to its original purpose of providing affordable homes.