By Aida Nyan
SHAH ALAM, July 30 — Crime prevention efforts in Kajang are being ramped up through collaboration between local authorities and the community, following the area’s designation as having the highest crime rate in Selangor.
Kajang state assemblyman David Cheong said that various initiatives have been implemented, including regular community patrols by residents’ associations with the support of the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).
“The Kampung Sungai Kantan Residents' Association is among the most active. They conduct night patrols equipped with safety gear. I believe that area has virtually no reported cases,” he told Media Selangor.
[caption id="attachment_367928" align="alignleft" width="391"]
Kajang state assemblyman David Cheong speaks at the ‘Kajang Bersih, Kajang Di Hatiku’ campaign kickoff, at SMK Saujana Impian, Kajang, on August 12, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Cheong noted that direct engagement with the local community, particularly in high-risk areas, allows for more effective crime monitoring and prevention.
Among the main programmes carried out is the Bandar Selamat initiative, which provides safety vests, patrol equipment, and logistical support to Rukun Tetangga teams, which have already begun to show positive results.
He said the area’s geographical size and high population density are major contributors to the elevated crime rate.
“Kajang spans nearly 73,000 acres, from the border of Negeri Sembilan to Kuala Lumpur. With over 1.3 million residents, it is truly challenging to monitor every area,” Cheong said.
He also highlighted constraints in terms of safety infrastructure, including the Kajang district police headquarters (IPD), which is now over 100 years old.
“The Federal government must urgently allocate funds to build a new, modern police headquarters. A site in Bangi has already been identified — it is just awaiting follow-up action.
“In my discussion with the District Police Chief, it was disclosed that there are over 90 crime hotspots, yet only 110 officers are assigned. That is insufficient to cover such a vast area, especially with the high number of villages and low-cost housing zones,” Cheong said.
As such, the assemblyman proposed that crime prevention efforts be expanded to include safety talks, public awareness campaigns, and educational programmes in schools and high-risk areas.
Previously, former Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan commented that Kajang was among the three Selangor districts with the highest crime rates, alongside Gombak and Klang.
