Kow, who has been living in BRP 7 for 19 years, pushing a wheelbarrow of filled with discarded construction material that he collected to clear the area of rubbish.
THE BRP7 Sungai Buloh Residents Association, which was set up 19 years ago, is one of the oldest RAs in Sungai Buloh.
But after all these years, the Bandar Rahman Putra neighbourhood is still working on tightening security in the area.
Chairman K.P. Kan said five years ago, the neighbourhood comprising 348 homes was neither guarded nor gated.
“Since the new committee members took over, we replaced the existing five-foot high fences with a seven-foot security fence throughout the BRP7 area.
Two permanent gates were placed at Jalan BRP7/3 and Jalan BRP7/3b with security posts, costing about RM15,000.
Two years ago, they beefed up security by installing locked gates in the back lanes, he added.
“We are looking at installing stronger fencing throughout the neighbourhood that would cost about RM400,000 and CCTVs on each street to deter crime.
“We also plan to have a system to allow the security guards to keep a database and log visitors,” he said.
Kan added that the monthly payment for security was RM16,000 with six security guards but only about 60% of residents paid their RM80 monthly fee, despite many of them having high-paying jobs.
“The neighbourhood is a good place to live in but only a few committed members are working very hard to ensure that we stay safe.
“Three years ago, there were rampant snatch thefts, house break-ins and other petty thefts here. Since we tightened up security, crime has reduced by 90%.”
The only problems are indiscriminate rubbish dumping and stray dogs, said Kan, who has made numerous complaints to Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) council but no action has been taken.
Some residents here have even repaired their own fencing, like Benny Kow Yeow Fu, to deter thieves from entering their neighbourhood.
Kow, 62, said he did his part in clearing the piles of rubbish, too.
“I hired a lorry and worker for RM200 to clean the debris such as construction waste, rubbish and other discarded furniture.
“I am doing this because it is my neighbourhood.”
Datin Balkhis Othman, who jogs daily at the neighbourhood field, said rubbish strewn at the field emitted a foul stench.
“The drains in the back lanes of the restaurant next to Jalan BRP7/2a are clogged up and MPS has not taken action.
“Drivers of heavy vehicles park at Jalan BRP 2 and damage the road kerbs while stray dogs are seen roaming the area.
“There are also inconsiderate residents who feed the dogs.”
She said gambling dens have also mushroomed in the area.
“I am happy with the security but there are many issues that need to be resolved by the local authority to ensure the neighbourhood is safe,” she said.
