Getting in line: Residents registering their personal details with police personnel prior to meeting the district police chief at the Hulu Selangor district police headquarters. — Pic from Polis Selangor’s Facebook
PETALING JAYA: From traffic problems to the perennial ‘mat rempit’ problem, the pioneer session for the Selangor public to air their grievances with the heads of the 16 police districts in the state turned out to be an effective channel for both sides.
Matters related to community wellbeing and criminal activities were among the issues raised by attendees at the Meet-the-Customer Day over the weekend.
The initiative, organised by Selangor police, was meant for the public to voice their concerns.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said 234 people had showed up and the districts of Sungai Buloh, Klang Selatan, Kajang and Petaling Jaya recorded the highest number of “customers”.
He said the sessions were held from 9am to noon and 30% of those who came had made prior appointments, while the rest opted to walk in.
Comm Hussein said a special room or hall was prepared at all district headquarters for the people who took turns to meet the respective OCPDs.
“The public was very receptive to the initiative. Among the main issues raised were traffic, the mat rempit (illegal street racers) menace, drug addict haunts and other crime-related matters.
“We also had those who came to enquire about the status of the investigation involving their police reports,” he said when contacted.
Comm Hussein said the Meet-the-Customer Day would continue and that it would be introduced at the Selangor police headquarters where the public could meet him personally to raise any matter of concern which had yet to be resolved at the district level.
“It is a good avenue to highlight issues faced by the public. This way, we can approach and resolve it holistically.
“If the people are unhappy with the service they receive from the district police, they can bring it up with the state police,” he said.
Lawyer R. Thayakugan of Section 22, Petaling Jaya, praised the initiative as it enabled the public to approach the top leadership in a district.
Thayakugan, who is the Friends of Taman Aman president, said he raised several matters related to crime prevention.
“It was a hassle-free meeting. I had made an appointment earlier and on arrival at the PJ district police headquarters, I met with the OCPD and his deputy just minutes later. The waiting time was brief and all the officers were very welcoming.
“I was impressed. This is an excellent initiative and it should be held more often,” he said when contacted.
Another Petaling Jaya resident, Albert Teh, said he had a fruitful meeting with the top leadership of Petaling Jaya police on issues concerning senior citizens.
Teh, who is the founder and president of the University of the Third Age, an NGO that supports senior citizens to stay active in their golden years, said the police officers were attentive to his concerns.
“I am glad that the people, especially aged folks, have access to the top brass of the police force,” said Teh, 71.
