Friday September 21, 2012

Faulty streetlights in Sea Park and Paramount Garden causing fear among residents

By EDWARD R. HENRY

STREETLIGHTS at the busiest arteries of Section 21 Sea Park and Section 20 Taman Paramount have been out of order for months and this is causing much fear among the residents that snatch thieves would take advantage of the situation.

Despite their numerous calls to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to change the blown out bulbs, the situation has remained unchanged.

Residents and business owners interviewed were disillusioned with the utility firm, as it had failed to change the bulbs along the busiest roads in Sea Park and Taman Paramount.

Lights out: Chong (left) and his assistant Raymond She marking Jalan 21/11A on a map where the streetlight are out of order. Snatch thefts and muggings occur along Jalan 21/11A behind the Shell petrol kiosk as the streetlight are out of order and the area is very dark.

Resident A.W. Wong, 65, said certain stretches of the roads were left in darkness, making it unsafe for residents, college students and office workers who returned home after 7pm.

“What is even more disturbing is the fact that most snatch thefts and cases of people being robbed after withdrawing money from the ATM, occurred at these dark stretches,” he said.

Wong added that there had been a rise in crime cases and the major reason was the non-functioning streetlights.

Pensioner Foo Hong Seng, 56, said: “Streetlights are important for ensuring a safe environment at night. We fear being robbed even when we are just walking to the shops.”

Sea Park resident Aida Kamaruddin, 25, said the snatch thefts and muggings occur along Jalan 21/11A behind the Shell petrol kiosk as the streetlights are not functioning and the place is dark.

She added that TNB must also light up Jalan 21/1 from the Paramount LRT station.

“Office workers who return from work are riveted with fear as they walk down Jalan 21/1 to Jalan 21/27 and Jalan 20/3 as the lights are inadequate.

“Snatch thefts are frequent and it’s time we have policemen patrolling Jalan 21/1 on foot instead of in patrol cars,” she said.

She added that police presence and closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) are a must to deter crime.

Sharon Kaur said her son got back late from tuition in Sea Park and because the road is void of proper lighting or police patrols, her husband Hardeep Singh has to send and fetch their son.

Businesswoman Tengku Anna Sirajuddin, 45, said the authorities had failed to keep public amenities in order and this puts the people at risk.

“Most of the streetlights are out of order and a number of times there have been road accidents due to the lack of proper lighting,” she said.

Julius Chee, 48, who runs a music centre, said Jalan 20/16A outside Giant hypermart was in darkness as the blown out bulbs for the streetlights had not been replaced.

Accountant Anita Yam 38, said TNB must get the streetlights in working order within the 48 hours as reduction in street lighting would lead to higher crime, safetly problems and high risk of accidents.

“I think the local councillor in-charge of this area is out of touch as he or she should inform the utility company,” she said.

Yam added that women who use Jalan 21/20, Jalan 21/27, Jalan 20/16A, Jalan 21/19, Jalan 20/7, Jalan 20/5 and Jalan 20/3 felt insecure when they walk on these roads and it would be better if TNB installs more streetlights. Residents also want the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to install CCTVs.

Yam pointed out the lackadaisical attitude of MBPJ in leaving tree branches to cover floodlights at the playground along Jalan 21/27.

Selangor MCA Complaints Bureau deputy chief Kelvin Chong urged the authorities to buck up and get the lights fixed to ensure a safe environment.