GREATER POLICE PRESENCE NOW AT RAPID KL WITH AUXILIARY POLICE  

Petaling Jaya, 29 th October 2007 – Customers of RAPID KL bus and rail can expect better security from today onwards with the launch of auxiliary police at the Taman Jaya station today. Launching the event was Yang Bahagia SAC I Mohmad bin Salleh, Deputy Police Chief Selangor. With him was also Tuan Haji Anuar Kassim, Director General of Rail, Mr Rein Westra , Chief Executive Officer of RAPID KL and Encik Nor Hassan, Chief Operating Officer Rail.

In his speech, Mr Rein Westra said there is a need to further enhance the already existing security team to the system. ‘We have over ½ million passengers a day on both the rail and bus system. We hope the presence of auxiliary police will further boost confidence amongst our customers that RAPID KL is making their safety a priority,’ says Westra. ‘We hope to reduce crime activities and improve crowd control,’ added Westra.

Approval for the formation of the team was received from the Police Force in February 2007 to train and post some 363 security staff to take up the position of auxiliary police. ‘We will send initial batches of 10 security staff each time to the Auxiliary Police Training Centre in Johor. This is to ensure that we have sufficient staff to continue providing service across the rail system,’ Westra explains.

Today, RAPID KL has 250 security officers. Westra says the company will employ more security personnel to take up these positions in time to come. The second team of 10 security officers is scheduled to go for training today. The training will be a continuous process until all of the selected staff completes the course which is conducted three times a year. The company has budgeted over RM1 million to make this new operation a success.

The duties of the auxiliary police are similar to those of the Police Force. However, their power will be just within the ali gnment of RAPID KL. The team is empowered to arrest and surrender suspects of criminal activities to the police. Westra added that the team will eventually be armed by next year to give a stronger police presence. Together with the security team, the auxiliary police will be assigned to be at stations and roam along the 168 bus routes and buses under RAPID KL operations. Security personnel are present at each station patrol in uniform and in plain clothes.

In conjunction with this launch, RAPID KL and the Police Selangor will be conducting a one week safety exhibition at Taman Jaya Station on 29 th October, Kelana Jaya Station on 30 th October, Ampang and Wangsa Maju Stations on 31 st October, Setiawangsa on 1 st November, Pasar Seni on 2 nd and ending on 3 rd November at Plaza Rakyat.

For more information please call careline at 03-7625 6999 or email to suggest@rapidkl.com.my

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This press release is issued by Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Sdn Bhd.