Kepong abuzz over African presence The growing presence of Africans in Kepong has created a controversy among the people there. The locals complained of fights, drunkenness and rowdiness among the Africans while they have cited racial prejudices and cultural differences for the protests. Star Metro spoke to the people in the Kepong divide. The growing presence of African nationalities in Kepong and its surrounding areas has caused uneasiness among the locals who blame them for a host of problems. Africans in groups: A few Africans at a shopping complex in Kepong. The city folks, who have long complained of the influx of foreigners from neighbouring countries, complained they now had to put up with a new problem – the increasing number of Africans. The African community has sprouted in apartments and condominiums in Damansara Damai, Kota Damansara, Puchong, Cheras and other areas. A check by The Star found that thousands of African students were living at Angkasa Condominium at Taman Connaught, Flora Damansara Condominium in Kota Damansara and Sutramas Apartment in Bandar Puchong Jaya, The situation has been aggravated by last week’s arrests of two Nigerian students in connection with the brutal murder of a woman and her housemate at Taman Usahawan in Kepong. The newcomers to Kepong have resulted in a demonstration by residents, who carried placards demanding action be taken against the Africans. Kepong MCA public service bureau chairman Datuk Liu Thim Soon, who was present at the protest, said, “There have been many complaints from the residents and restaurateurs against the Africans, who have been here since several years ago,” said. “The murder triggered an alarm that we have to look into the matter seriously. Constant and continual efforts are necessary,” he said. He said the residents had complained that the Africans would put up fights in the neighbourhood, ogle and tease the women and dine at the eateries in a large group without paying for the bills. He added that the Africans who often loitered around were mostly staying at the apartments behind Jusco Metro Prima shopping centre. “Crime is increasing in this area. We do not want to make a sweeping statement that the Africans are the culprits but we hope the relevant authorities will heed the matter so that the residents can have peace of mind. “It is said that the Africans came here as students, but residents suspect that some Africans are even operating a pub in which they carry out illegal activities. “We hope the police or the Immigration Department can send their officers down to vet their status,” Liu said. “Some residents had also made police reports on petty crime committed by the Africans but we have not seen any improvement in the situation. We hope the authorities will constantly monitor the security here, don’t make it only a one-off effort because a murder case happened,” he added. At some of these areas the population of the foreigners were almost equal to the locals and this situation has been a worrying trend with the rise in the crime rate. In Cheras and Puchong, the apartments have became mini African colonies with large number of them appearing in groups at public places and streets. A tenant S.M. Alloysious, who stays in Angkasa Condominium in Taman Connaught, Cheras where an estimated 800 Africans students live, said he witnessed an incident three months ago, where an African pushed a supermarket trolley down from the 21st floor of the apartment. “It was fortunate there were nobody on the ground floor when trolley landed heavily on the ground. Most of these Africans are big built and tough that sometimes scares the locals away. “If they fight, our locals will definitely not interfere because they are stronger and more aggressive,” said Alloysious, who claimed that many of them approach him asking for cigarettes or money in an intimidating way. A guard in Angkasa Condominium, who did not wish to be named, claimed since the Africans students arrived here, there were frequent arguments, fights and even molest cases reported in the condominium lift. A 28-year-old executive who wish to be identified as Jessica, said that the presence of the Africans in Flora Damansara Condominium was worrying the residents. “They often hang out around the stairways causing obstruction to residents especially women,” she said. Meanwhile LOURDES CHARLES reports that Police are compiling information on the presence of foreigners especially Africans, including if they are workers or students. Sentul OCPD Asst Comm K. Kumaran said police wanted to know what The Africans were doing here although there was not much problems with their presence in the district. He said there were only small fights reported previously. “We re compiling a list of who they are. “We know some of them have been selling belts and wallets at shops here. “They could also be students who are trying to make ends meet or pay for their tuition fees. Whatever it is we will monitor the situation,” he said, adding that most of them stayed in the Kepong and Jinjang areas.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 17:53:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015