Kuching: Stampin MP’s office has pledged to take up residents’ concerns over frequent crime incidents in the Arang Road area, calling on police and authorities to act swiftly to restore public safety.
Special Assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, Soo Tien Ren, said that Chong outlined three key measures that the authorities must prioritise:
- Strengthen police patrols – especially in high-risk areas and during peak crime hours, to maintain visible enforcement.
- Expand CCTV coverage and improve lighting – using technology to enhance monitoring and deterrence.
- Foster closer communication with residents – making it easier for the public to report suspicious activities and receive timely responses.
“As representatives of the people, we have the duty to amplify these concerns. Security is not about slogans – it must be backed by real, tangible measures,” Soo said in a statement.
Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, together with his special assistants Michael Kong Feng Nian, Sim Kiat Leng, and Soo Tien Ren, visited the area to meet residents and assess the situation firsthand last weekend.
Soo said, these recurring incidents not only cause property losses but also undermine residents’ sense of safety.
“Some families have been forced to spend money on additional security measures, yet still feel insecure.
“Elderly residents and children, in particular, feel fearful upon hearing of such break-ins happening in broad daylight nearby. Over time, this erodes community cohesion and weakens public trust in safety,” he said.
He added that the worsening crime situation also creates knock-on social problems – drug proliferation, widespread fear and distrust and decline in community environment.
“But beyond these immediate issues, we must ask: why do these problems persist in the first place? At a deeper level, crime is closely linked to socio-economic inequality.
“While Sarawak’s economy has seen overall growth, the wealth gap continues to widen. Many ordinary families find their wages growing far slower than the rising cost of living.
“With financial pressure mounting, some individual facing limited opportunities to improve their livelihoods – resort to theft, robbery, or even involvement in the drug trade as a means of survival,” he said.
