Bandar Seri Alam - Security and safety have always been the main concern for main-board listed housing developer United Malayan Land Bhd for three of its townships situated in Selangor and Johor.

 

Therefore, conforming to its commitment, the developer organised a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme/Rakan Cop (NWS/RC) event to kick start its proposed security measures and awareness programme for the residents of Bandar Seri Alam in Johor through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Seri Alam Properties Sdn Bhd.

 

The event was held on September 9, 2007 in Bandar Seri Alam, Johor at Teratak Seri Alam located right next to the Bandar Seri Alam Police Headquarters. Present at the event were Seri Alam Operating Chief Police District (OCPD) Tuan Roslan Zainuddin as well as UMLand Director of Operations Encik Zulkifly Garib.

 

Encik Zulkifly elaborated more on the programme as well as communicate UMLand’s commitment to creating and maintaining a secure and safe environment for the residents of Bandar Seri Alam. The event is also part of the Safe City programme initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to improve crime prevention in townships and cities.

 

The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was set up to be the eyes and the ears of the police to report suspicious activities and to reduce crimes in the neighbourhood. Under the scheme, a group of local residents will be selected whereby they will consecutively monitor events and happenings in their neighbourhood and to report any suspicious activities directly to the police.

 

The NSW/RC event saw residents gathering to elect a steering committee in which the township will then be divided into several groups and will be headed by a group coordinator and area coordinator.

 

According to the Crime Prevention Book issued by the Royal Malaysian Police, by having the public’s involvement and co-operation, it will further help the police in taking care and supervising the safety of each neighbourhood.

 

“The police and the society should co-operate with each other for the public’s safety and well-being. In developed countries, where such programmes have been held, it has been proven that with the society’s help the crime rate has been significantly reduced,” reported the book.

 

Among the activities that will be executed under the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme will be the markings of valuable property with the owner’s Identity Card (IC) number for easy identification, in the case of it being stolen and later recovered. Other than that, residents will also organise gatherings to foster great rapport among them and the police. Also, a series of newsletters will also be issued to the residents to inform them on the latest activities as well as advice on crime prevention measures, among others.

 

Furthermore, during the event, the OCPD of Seri Alam Police Headquarters, Tuan Roslan briefly explained about the Rakan Cop programme and the importance of the public to register to be a part of it. The Seri Alam police will also incorporate their Community Policing scheme into the NWS/RC programme. Handouts on the details of the NWS/RC programme were also distributed by the police to the public.

 

The event saw a good turnout with a total of 500 residents and the press from various media including Bernama, China Press, Sin Chew Jit Poh, Nanyang Siang Pow and Kosmo, among others, attending to witness the event.

 

Last month saw the Seri Alam police headquarters commencing its operation with a force of 159 men; Seri Alam police headquarters is located next to the Seri Alam Properties Sales Office. The Seri Alam police headquarters is part of the RM330 million plans to beef up security in the Iskandar Development Region. Apart from that, the township already has existing Balai Police and Traffic Police Stations located at Jalan Gunung 28 and Jalan Gunung 32.