BASRA : FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

1. Why should I participate in the BASRA Guarded Scheme?

a. Look at all our neighbouring tamans - Bandar Utama, Damansara Utama, Damansara Jaya, etc – they have all been guarded up. By not implementing a similar scheme, we are merely inviting the criminals to come into our area freely to carry out their criminal activities.

b. Before the 3 guarded schemes in Aminuddin Baki, Datuk Sulaiman and our area were implemented, there were as much as 60 reported cases monthly in TTDI. The latest statistics show only about 20 cases reported at our local Police Station in the month of February, 2010. That is a drop of about 70% in crime related cases !

c. Property prices in safe and secured areas fetch at least 15% higher (Star Saturday, August 01 2009).

2. Is this Scheme Legal?

a. The BASRA Guarded Scheme is as “legal” as the one that is implemented up at TTDI Hills, where the FT Minister resides.

3. What is the difference between BASRA and Homeguard?

a. Homeguard provides only patrolling service. They have ceased to patrol the Burhanuddin Helmi area. And in the Athinahappan area, their patrolling has been very sporadic and irregular, and mostly done at nights.

b. The BASRA guarded scheme employs Static Guards at all 6 entry points into our area, combined with regular hourly patrolling (motorbikes with Yellow flashing lights). We found that this combination has been most effective in deterring crime.

c. If the Homeguard service had been effective, would we have had to implement all these Guarded Schemes?

d. The company that is providing the guards and operating BASRA is DU Security. It is the same company that is providing the service at Aminuddin Baki/Rahim Kajai and Datuk Sulaiman.

4. We don’t feel it’s worth paying money for guards who merely wave their light batons.

a. BASRA had started with very strict SOPs such as physically stopping suspicious cars and motorcycles. But many residents in our area are still resisting change and are against the guarded scheme. Some of them have even intimidated the guards to the extent of driving their car over one guard’s foot. Many others have made Police reports against BASRA. Since last year, the Police had sternly warned the guards that they are not supposed to stop any cars.

b. However, the guards have been given very clear instructions to not only prevent flyer boys from entering into our area but also to try as best as they can, to screen any suspicious figures, cars, vans, lorries and motorcycles.

c. Finally, the results prove for themselves that this Guarded Scheme works. Or else, how else do you explain the drop of almost 70% in crime related cases reported at the Police Station?

5. Why should I join when many of my neighbours have not done so?

a. John F Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what You can do for your country?” In a similar vein, let us all play our part for the Safety of our very own neighbourhood.

b. In case crime strikes us, let us not be the one to regret that we had not done our part in supporting a safer neighbourhood. If you believe in security, there is no better time to start than NOW.

6. Why do I have to pay more than my neighbours?

a. A bungalow house has a bigger road frontage and area than a Semi-D and likewise, a double storey over a single storey. A ronda guard takes the same amount of time to ronda a street with doubly less bungalow houses than a street with all single storey houses. Therefore, if we pro-rate it, the bigger houses naturally should contribute more.

b. In the same vein, DBKL charges higher quit rent and land assessment tax on bigger houses.

7. Why are other tamans only charging RM50 per month?

a. Definitely, when we get more subscribers, we will reduce the fees. But how can we reduce the fees when we have not even touch 50% subscription rate yet?

b. Unfortunately, BASRA was built in such a way where we have many openings. As such, we have to spend more to employ more guards to secure all these openings.

c. In many tamans around PJ, their residents are united enough to permit the closure of certain roads – which is not only done to prevent escape paths for criminals, but also to reduce the cost of guarding them.

8. I have an Alarm system and dogs – why do I need to subscribe to BASRA?

a. We have a resident in Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, who has a CMS Alarm system, 3 dogs inside her house and yet, her house was broken into. Fortunately for her, she was not at home at the time the incident happened.

b. We have a resident here in BASRA who told us that even with an Alarm System and CCTV installed, 2 robbers still managed to rob his wife as she was driving into their house compound.

c. Security is not only about guarding your property. What about when you go take a morning walk?

9. I can’t afford to pay for this BASRA Scheme.

a. Can you afford to drink a cup or two of Teh Tarik everyday? If you can, you can afford the BASRA Scheme.

b. What price do you put on the safety of your loved ones? Would you sacrifice their safety for RM2 – 4.60 per day?

c. There are always people who will give 1001 excuses not to subscribe to security but would not hesitate to pay more than RM8 everyday for cigarettes.