KUALA LUMPUR – Business operators and tenants in Plaza Damas in Sri Hartamas have demanded better security measures following a recent incident where a 13-year-old girl purportedly became a victim of sexual assault.
A tenant, Sarah (not her real name), told The Vibes that the victim was one of her customers and was walking up the stairs alone to her office.
Usually, an adult from Sarah’s office would escort children upstairs, but this time the victim arrived early.
“The girl was not able to talk although her mother and I later kept asking her what had happened.
She was clearly in shock and our fear is that this pervert could return or do the same thing elsewhere,” Sarah said when contacted.
According to a police report filed by a parent of the victim, the girl was initially approached by a man in his 30s at the stairwell at 6pm on May 18.
The individual, who wore a helmet, mask, navy blue shirt, and jeans, told the girl to remain quiet as he lifted her jacket.
He then proceeded to grab the victim’s hand and placed it on his genitals before running away after hearing footsteps.
Stranger danger: kids get escorts
Sarah has made the incident known to other customers and their parents.
She has also taken steps to ensure that every child is escorted to and from the office by a staff member.
She also asserts that security at Plaza Damas is lacking, pointing out that the circumstances could further embolden the perpetrator to return and harass other women and children.
She said there is a lack of operating CCTV cameras at Plaza Damas, and while there are security guards, they do not patrol the area enough.
So far, Sarah has informed Plaza Damas’ management of the incident and is urging them to beef up security.
“I have made some of our customers and their parents aware of what had happened,” she said.
Cops yet to probe incident
Plaza Damas building manager Don Herald, meanwhile, told The Vibes that the management is ready to assist police in their investigations regarding the assault against the 13-year-old.
However, he also said that since the incident, police have not visited the management to make their queries.
“We have advised the business owner to make a police report as we are ready to assist police. But, to date, police have not come here,” he said.
Currently, the Plaza Damas management has increased the frequency of patrols in the area where the incident occurred, Herald added.
‘It could happen to anyone’
Another tenant, music educator Dominic Damian, expressed worry for women and children entering the business park.
He shared Sarah’s thoughts on the security measures in Plaza Damas, calling for more CCTV coverage, especially in car parks.
Since the incident, Dominic said he ensures that an adult always escorts his students who are attending music lessons.
“I am not so concerned about whether this issue will affect my business, I am worried about the children,” he said.
“There’s considerable concern about the security in Plaza Damas because if this can happen to a child, it could happen to anyone.
“They need to start having better security measures and install operating CCTV cameras,” Dominic told The Vibes.
In response to concerns about the CCTVs, building manager Herald explained that some cameras had not been working due to technical issues and the weather.
“We are looking into fixing new cameras and repairing the old ones,” he said, adding that he will be meeting with tenants who have expressed concern over the incident. – The Vibes, May 24, 2023
