Damai Perdana Phase 3 residents get greenlight to have guarded community

Story and photo by OH ING YEEN

ingyeen@thestar.com.my

THE residents of Damai Perdana Phase 3, Cheras, finally received approval from the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) for a guarded community but not for a gated community.

Its Rukun Tetangga (RT) chairman, Eddie Toh, who has been living in the area for 10 years, said they had employed guards since June 2009 but only applied for it two months ago.

MPKj gave the approval last week.

Fewer break-ins: The Bandar Damai Perdana Phase 3 residents have obtained approval from MPKj to have a guarded community.

“Before employing the guards, there used to be four or five crime cases a month but there are fewer now. The RT members will be at the guard post thrice a week at night.

“However, it did not eradicate crime completely in the neighbourhood as the area is not fenced.

“Hence, there are still break-ins and petty thefts. We plan to fence up the area by the end of this year. It will cost about RM60,000,” he said, adding that the police patrol the area once a day.

According to Toh, there are boom gates installed at all three access points to the neighbourhood. The RT committee members have also sponsored the CCTV cameras at the entrance.

Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching and MPKj councillors Steven Chan and Cheong Siow Foon had a meeting with the residents on safety issues.

Teo said it was important to have the co-operation of the residents.

She said the guidelines for guards include taking down the details of visitors and residents were not allowed to block public access roads.

“The guarded facility should not be an inconvenience to others,” she said.

[source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/9/4/central/6961007&sec=central ]