SHAH ALAM - In a bid to enhance security and safety measures in residential areas, human rights activist Arun Dorasamy has called upon municipal authorities to play a pivotal role in enforcing mandatory CCTV installations.
Arun stressed that municipalities possess the necessary power and authority to impose such requirements on residential spaces, making it a crucial step toward safeguarding communities.
"The one that had to take the lead on this is the municipality, they have the power to impose the requirement to the residential places.
"It is about time we make sure all CCTV installations, especially in low-cost housing, are made mandatory," Arun said to Sinar Daily.
He highlighted the pressing need for increased surveillance, citing incidents such as the tragic case of 15-year-old S. Satiswaran, who died back in 2018 when a chair was thrown from the upper level of a low-cost flat.
"The young boy lost his life due to a chair thrown from the 19th floor of a building, and despite the incident occurring several years ago, the perpetrator remains unidentified," Arun said.
He also pointed out that the lack of surveillance has not only led to severe consequences like the Satiswaran case but also contributed to various other problems.
"Low-cost flats have faced issues such as residents throwing rubbish, appliances, and even hazardous items out of their windows.
"Reports include instances of air conditioners, fridges, motorbike exhausts, bagged trash, and even paint being recklessly thrown, causing damage to property and posing a threat to public safety," Arun said.
Therefore, Arun again stressed that the municipality must take the lead on this matter.
He believed that the municipality's authority should be harnessed to ensure that all residential spaces adhere to mandatory CCTV installation regulations.
"By doing so, municipalities can contribute significantly to securing the assets and properties of residents while simultaneously ensuring the safety of the community," he said.