SECURITY and crime prevention were the main concerns for the Taman Seputeh residents during The Star’s People’ Voice Carnival forum last Saturday.

The session, which was moderated by Norina Yahya and RedFM deejay JD, with panellists comprising Seputeh Residents Association vice-president Mazlan Kamaruddin, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Bukit Bintang area manager Zulkifli Muhamad and Brickfields deputy OCPD Supt Azri Abdul Rahman, saw some residents voicing out their concerns over snatch thefts and robberies.

K. Thiagarajah, 68, brought up examples of snatch thefts and robberies that took place in the residential area.

“Almost 80% of crime happens during the day,” he said.

Off you go: (From left) Inspector Pritam Singh of the Brickfields Narcotics division, Supt Azri, Star Publications (M) Bhd deputy group chief editor (1) David Yeoh, Star Publications (M) Bhd group managing director and chief executive officer Datin Linda Ngiam, RedFM and SuriaFM chief operating officer Azrullah Mohd Nor and Taman Seputeh Residents’ Association President Robert Quah releasing the pigeons to launch the carnival

In reply, Azri said residents should work with their neighbours and the police through Rakan Cop for crime prevention.

He also welcomed the residents association’s security scheme that employed security guards.

Adding that the crime rate at Taman Seputeh was not alarming at four to five cases a month, Azri said snatch thieves went on motorbikes looking for opportunities.

“Once they see a chance, they strike. Our concern is that residents do not give them the chance to do so by being aware and taking safety precautions like not walking in dark or quiet areas,” he said.

However, R. Punithamathi, 53, from Lorong Bukit Raja, added that many crimes in the area went unreported.

Learning session: Visitors checking out one of the booths that was selling books

Another problem that garnered much interest was voiced out by Caroline Rajaretnam, 49, from Jalan Tanjung 12.

Her problem started in May 2009 when DBKL demolished a retaining wall at her townhouse, raising much concern for her home security.

“Since then, my house has been broken into a few times, and I worry for my five children. The matter has been brought up to DBKL’s attention many times but nothing has been done so far.

“What I do not understand is the row of townhouses, which have been here for over 40 years, share a common design, so why bring down my wall?

“How long do I have to live in fear?” she asked.

Safety first: A police officer giving some tips to a resident.

Another security-related issue for the residents was the Bukit Raja bus-stop.

The long-standing problem over the bus-stop located on the Federal Highway but close to the residential area, was a subject brought up by a few people, including Noroz Khan, 59, from Jalan Bukit Raja.

Mazlan highlighted that the ocation of the bus stop was not strategic as it was too near to the residential area and attracted too many people, affecting their quality of life.

Mazlan mentioned that the residents association had already sent a memorandum to DBKL’s Public Transportation department to relocate or close the bus stop altogether.

He said the bus-stop also created parking problems in the area, causing much difficulty to the residents.

“There are parking issues. Some commuters illegally park their vehicles in the residential area. Sometimes, residents could not get in their own houses to park.

“Alam Flora also cannot come in to collect rubbish, so you can imagine the frustration. Something should be done, like increasing the enforcement in the area,” he said.

Mazlan added that the bus stop position was also unsafe, as it was along the Federal Highway, thus causing safety problems.

Zulkifli replied that DBKL’s public transportation department would need to study the issue of the bus stop and determine whether it was in the right spot before deciding on anything.

“A study has to be done first to determine a few things before taking any action,” he said.

Meanwhile, Azri said the bus stop made little difference to the police.

However, he agreed that if there was a better location for the bus stop, the police would support it.

“If the DBKL agrees, the police and residents, through the residents association, can scout around and get a better location for the bus stop. Maybe the bus-stop should be moved to the Mid Valley area. It needs a comprehensive study,” he said.

Rajan Moses, 58, from Jalan Batu Laut 2 complained about cleanliness and Alam Flora’s inefficiency.

He was also unhappy about DBKL’s issuing him a maximum RM2,000 fine, with­­­out prior notices, for not display­ing a dustbin outside his home.

“But I do keep a dustbin clean in a closed compartment,” he said.

Zulkifli replied that DBKL should not issue a maximum fine straightaway.

“Instead, we do give a notice of warning before issuing a compound notice,” he said.

THOUGH some residents of Taman Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur, came to the recent People’s Voice Carnival with issues and grouses for the authorities to solve during the forum, most were quite happy to attend just for some fun.

Children especially had a blast at the carnival that started at 9am and ended at 3pm which included inflatable castles, caricature- drawing, face-painting, sand art and games.

The youngsters also got the chance to meet a clown who twisted balloons into swords, animals and other interesting shapes.

One stall that garnered a lot of attention including numerous mentions by the RedFM deejays JD and Jeremy was set up by a local pet shop and featured several cats, dogs, a few types of birds for sale.

Fishing for a quack: Residents and their children having fun at the game stalls.

Families also managed to grab a bite and drink from the various stalls selling local favourites like idli, fried bihun and even cupcakes.

One stall sold colourful umbrellas while others had accessories.

The authorities such as the Pantai Fire and Rescue Department brought along their fire engine for display while the police set up an exhibition booth.

Throughout the half-day event, St John Ambulance members were present and ever ready to help the injured or unwell, providing extra security for the 250-odd people who came to the carnival held in Jalan Tanjung Sepat.

Kevin Ho, 46, an advertising executive though aware of the carnival’s highlight event which was the forum, did not feel any pressing need to attend it.

Easy does it: A liitle girl getting her face painted at the carnival.

“I will only attend the forum if my children are amenable to it. There are plenty of things for them to do here so I’ll have to play it by ear,” said Ho, who was with his three children.

He believed in the Taman Seputeh Residents Association (RA) and that they would voice out the bigger issues affecting the residents during the forum.

“Our RA is quite vocal. I expect once the forum and carnival is over, the authorities will take action and solve at least half of the problems the residents here raise,” Ho said.

Jeff Wilson, 46, a civil engineer said he had been living in the area for about a year and so far did not feel there was any serious issues to be raised.

“I like living here and I feel it is a very safe community.

“I just came to the carnival with my two children to look around because it seems interesting,” Wilson, who had no idea about the forum, said.

University student Angela Ting said going to the carnival brought on another kind of revelation for her.

“I see so many faces here I barely even recognise which makes me realise I don’t even know my own neighbours,” Ting, 22, said.

She added that the carnival was a good way for neighbours to get to know one another, something she was working on by following her mother who introduced her to some neighbours she knew.

Ting did not know about the forum but the idea of it appealed to her.

“It is great that the residents have a platform to voice their grouses where the right people can hear,” Ting said.

Guests at the event include Star Publications (M) Bhd group managing director and chief executive officer Datin Linda Ngiam, deputy group chief editor (1) David Yeoh, RedFM and SuriaFM chief operating officer Azrullah Mohd Nor and RA president Robert Quah.

Members of the forum who spent an hour on the RedFM outdoor live broadcast and another hour on the forum include Brickfields police deputy chief Supt Azri Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur City Hall Bukit Bintang area manager Zulkifli Muhammad, RA vice-president Mazlan Kamaruddin and moderated by former RTM television host Norina Yahya.

CITY folk keep your Saturday free and come to the The Star’s People’s Voice - You’ve Got the Power carnival in Taman Seputeh KL for a fun filled day of games, food and music!

The carnival which is happening tomorrow at the Tanjung Sepat playfield will start at 9am to 1pm and will have goodies for everyone. For the kids there will be clowns, face painting, sand art, games booth and inflatable play equipment for the children to bounce about.

Booths selling delicious food such as cakes, cup cakes, chappatis, jellies, tarts, sandwiches and refreshing lemon grass drink will be available too.

Attention everyone: The people’s voice banner is already up in Taman Seputeh.

For the ladies there are also booths offering for sale fashion items, fabrics, babies fashion apparel and tupperware.

Ayamas will also set up a booth, selling their products on the day.

The event hosted by the Taman Seputeh Residents Association will have representatives from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) as well as Brickfields police deputy chief Supt Azri Abdul Rahman, who will participate in a live forum with a panel of speakers from the RA.

There will also be a question and answer session at 12 noon and residents are welcomed to direct their questions to the panel.

Taman Seputeh Residents Association chairman Robert Quah said some of the major issues plaguing the neighbourhooad are traffic congestion at the Bukit Raja bus-stop, road diversions, parking and poor rubbish collection -- hence these will be the issues highlighted at the forum.

RedFM deejays JD and Jeremy, will be present to add excietement at the carnival. an opening gambit on stage at 10.40am and followed by the live broadcast at 11am.

The People’s Voice campaign was launched in April as a platform for residents to engage directly with their local authorities and relevant agencies.

The last two carnivals were held at Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya and Bandar Botanic in Klang.

KL-ites take note! The Star’s People Voice Campaign — You’ve Got the Power is coming to Kuala Lumpur. Just like the ones held at Bandar Utama and Bandar Botanic in Klang, the next one will be held in Taman Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur, on June 19 and it is going to be a blast.

Apart from providing a platform for residents in the Klang Valley to engage directly with their local authorities and agencies, the carnival is also a platform for the community to come together and have fun.

A host of activities have been lined up to make the event memorable and there will also booths set up by the police, Alam Flora and the fire brigade.

The event will be hosted by the Taman Seputeh Residents Association and it will be held from 9am to 3pm at the Jalan Tanjong Sepat field.

The highlight of the event is a question-and-answer session between a panel of speakers from the residents associations and representatives from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Residents are welcome to direct their questions to the panel.

Taman Seputeh Residents Association chairman Robert Quah said some of the major issues plaguing the neighbourhooad were traffic congestion at the Bukit Raja Bus stop, road diversions, parking and poor rubbish collection — hence these will be the issues that residents will bring up during the forum.

RedFM will be broadcasting live from the venue and the People’s Voice cruisers will also be making rounds in the area.