According to the local residents’ association, the burglary incident at Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar could have been avoided if there were a proper security system with guards and CCTVs in place, says the local residents’ association.
Bukit Bandaraya Residents Association (BBRA) advisor M Ali told Malaysiakini that the intruders had entered the victim’s bungalow from the rear by sneaking in through a drain along the back lane between Jalan Mambu and Jalan Tualang.
The 71-year-old victim’s bungalow is located along Jalan Mambu.
Wan Hassan, who was a former Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) researcher, was killed in his house when the intruders broke in around 3am on Nov 29.
His wife survived but sustained hand injuries.
The two intruders fled with some of the couple’s personal belongings, but police managed to arrest 10 individuals, including the main suspects, in less than 48 hours after the incident.
According to M Ali, while the front entrance of Jalan Mambu was guarded, Jalan Tualang was not. As a result, the area is exposed to break-ins as both roads intersect at the back lane.
Five years ago, the residents’ association had appealed to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for a security guard system along Jalan Tualang area and the installation of CCTV cameras in the vicinity, but to no avail.
“Over five years ago or so, the residents’ association had applied and appealed to DBKL for us to introduce a security guard system for Jalan Tualang, whereby not only Jalan Tualang would be covered, but the back lane between Jalan Tualang and Jalan Mambu would also be protected as a deterrent measure.
“However, our efforts fell on deaf ears of the then officers at DBKL handling the matter.
“Even our appeals to DBKL for the installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations have not borne any positive result,” M Ali said.
He said residents in the vicinity were shaken and disturbed after the current incident.
M Ali expressed his disappointment with the authorities and stressed that the local council, Federal Territory Ministry and the Home Ministry must listen attentively to the community.
“They must view community-initiated efforts with a positive spirit, instead of viewing them with bureaucracy and react only after a disaster happens.
“We have lost one able member of our community. DBKL and associated authorities must be proactive at all times when it affects safety and security,” he added.
The BBRA has appealed to city mayor Mahadi Ngah for a meeting and to give the necessary approvals to introduce a self-supporting security guard scheme.
Bangsar Park Residents’ Association president Nitesh Malani said its members were also shocked by the incident, which took place near the neighbourhood.
Likewise, Nitesh appealed for DBKL to install CCTV cameras in residential areas.
“DBKL must provide allocations for CCTVs to be installed within residential areas; approve the guard and gated scheme in accordance to all relevant requirements; and have frequent communication with the residents’ associations,” he said.
Both M Ali and Nitesh urged the Federal Territories Ministry to reintroduce the “Bandar Selamat” programme, which was deemed effective in deterring crimes in the past.
City police today said they have obtained a confession from one of two suspects involved in slashing to death 71-year-old Wan Hassan.
The other suspect is still at large but Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Saiful Azly Kamaruddin said police have information on his whereabouts and are confident of nabbing him soon.
He added that neither of the two suspects wore a mask, as such police were able to get their photofit.
“The two suspects who broke into the victim’s house and caused his death had also entered another house that same morning at 5.15am.
“When they were trying to run away, a passer-by saw them. The suspects fled, but before that they flung the deceased’s wallet on the ground and we now know both cases involve the same suspects,” Saiful said.
Police said the first house was broken in at 3.30am. There was a blackout and the elderly couple were alone at home.
The couple heard a noise in the kitchen and went to check when they were confronted by the two robbers who demanded money. Wan Hassan put up a fight when he was slashed on the neck and body with a parang. He died at the scene.
His wife was also slashed on the right shoulder when she went to her husband’s aid.
The burglars then fled with an undisclosed amount in valuables through the kitchen window.
The couple’s daughter called the police after her mother, also a former civil servant, informed her of the incident.
The burglars, who were armed with a parang and a steel hammer, committed their second house robbery where they tied up a 34-year-old engineer and his family with telephone cables and stuffed their mouths with cloth.
He said the burglars looted the second house at Taman Tiara Titiwangsa of two television sets, RM3,500 worth of cash, three laptops, two handphones, a gold chain and a gold wrist bangle. The losses were estimated at RM38,000.
Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department chief Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said the burglars seriously injured the engineer.
He said the suspects had broken into the house and then woken up the sleeping household, who were ordered not to resist.
“The suspects also threatened to stab and injure them before tying their hands with telephone wire and stuffing the victims’ mouths with cloth,” he said.
Nik Ros said the two suspects then fled with an accomplice waiting outside the house.
Initial investigation showed 14 people, including a maid, lived in the house.
Police have since arrested 10 men aged between 20 and 29 at a residence in Jalan Sultan Ismail during a raid late last night. One of them was found to be involved in the Bangsar robberies.
Police have also confiscated a car and 22 items in the possession of the 10 men, including their handphones.
“All 10 have prior criminal and narcotic records and we are investigating if they are connected with the underworld,” said Saiful.
“For now, they are remanded for seven days till December 6 and we urge the public to step forward if they have any information and call the police hotline at 03-2115 9999,” he added.
Wan Hassan was laid to rest at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery after Isya’ prayers last night.
His wife, Sarifah Yusof, 70, was allowed to return home yesterday evening after receiving treatment for slash wounds to her shoulder at UMMC.