Security scheme for residential zones in Pasir Gudang

Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) has introduced a Social Security Scheme (SKS) for landed houses and non-gated and guarded areas to improve the safety of housing communities.

Pasir Gudang mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said the scheme was introduced last year and required the agreement of 80% of a housing area’s residents before it could be implemented.

Asman Shah says the introduction of the scheme was in response to safety issues in housing areas.

“It is similar to the service provided by the gated-and-guarded housing areas, but instead of paying for the maintenance fee, the residents would only need to pay for the security guards’ salaries.

“We will be providing regulations on how the gates are placed and built, the lighting system and the guard house, besides placing an artificial intelligence closed-circuit television (CCTV) at the main entrance and exit,” he said.

He said this to StarMetro after chairing the monthly MBPG full board meeting at Menara Aqabah in Pasir Gudang.

Asman Shah added that there had been reports of safety issues in housing areas, so the SKS policy was introduced to address this matter.

“I think that we would be the first local council in Johor to introduce this policy.

“There are also housing areas that have started their own initiatives but since there is no policy or regulation on the matter, it has been hard to regulate them,” he said.

“Under the SKS, housing areas will be allowed to open the community gate from 7am until 7pm and close it from 7pm until 7am,” he said, adding that so far, only two housing areas had applied for the scheme.

On another matter, Asman Shah said the city council was currently conducting a regularisation exercise for all commercial lots under MBPG to address issues of subletting.

“There have been reports of subletting cases involving locals and foreigners, and those who are found to have violated the MBPG tenancy terms and conditions will have their licences revoked immediately.

“We also encourage those with information on the matter to come to the MBPG office,” he said, adding that the exercise would run until June 30 this year.

The regularisation process will involve all commercial lots such as Kebayan and Semai Niaga hawker centres, public markets, bus terminals, shoplots, offices and kiosks as well as public housing.