Something unfortunate happened to me yesterday night. It feels rather surreal for me to write such a mail, when i see so many in passing in my own mailbox.


CRIME AT SETAPAK

Dear Neighbours of Jalan XXXX  -

My name is cglow and I stay at No YYYY, Jalan XXXX. I am 6 feet tall and by no means small sized.

On 6 March 2009 around 9:20pm I parked my car and wanted to enter my front gate when a man approached me and he mumbled something.  As I was very close to my gate, I immediately went in and he pulled me back and further hit me on both my head, neck and in a bid to protect myself my arm. Fearing for the safety of my family, my reflex response was to shout aloud and to struggle but little did I know he was going after my notebook bag.

His accomplice was ready on a motorbike to escape. At that point of time, I went a bit amok and actually went on to hit the man who robbed me and pulled down on my notebook bag. He lost balance, and I probably defended myself a few more times continuously shouting. I also lunged for my notebook bag and there was further struggle but as my family and neighbours was already coming out, fearing for their safety they escaped.

I then went to lodge a report at the Setapak police station, and when I explained to the Police on my bruises and my story – they asked me if I still wanted to lodge a police report? I said – YES, of course – Because I fear for the safety of my family and my neighbours. But later I found out that it seems that it is a dead case, as in the darkness of our neighbourhood and the panic I cannot even recognize the robber, his motorbike type and his license plate. In short – even if caught we have no proof. But nevertheless judging by the response of the officer, it’s sad to know that our Polis Diraja Malaysia is not here to PREVENT crime, they are available to you AFTER a crime happens.

The real point of this mail is to share my lessons learnt –

  • When threatened – Drop your belongings do not struggle. In my case, I did not realize due to their timing of approaching me near my house, as I feared for my family’s safety.
  • Shout as loud as possible. This is to bring attention and it probably saved me.
  • Switch on your porch lights after dark. Light deters evil.
  • Scan the roads with your car’s high lights. To check for robbers hiding out on your way home.
  • Call 03-40232222 if there are suspicious activities. This is the Setapak Rakan Kop number. I cannot vouch for it’s effectiveness.

The irony is that we stay less than 100 meters away from the Setapak Police Station. If the police cannot help us we have to help ourselves. I will further progress this by checking with the right authority to get street lights for our roads. But for now – So please do what is right for your family’s safety and be vigilant.

_________________________
7 March 2009

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