Police are not doing enough to prevent robberies at KK Supermart outlets despite assurances that it would post plainclothes police at outlets that are prone to robbery, said one of the chain’s field managers.

Danish Chai, who is in charge of outlets surrounding Gombak, said the robberies continue despite assurances from Setapak police, even after one of the alleged robbers was shot dead recently.

“I think the police not taking serious action. The robberies are still happening although they said they will send their people to stand-by there, but still I think they have not taken any action.

“One of the robbers was injured and then escaped. Until now we have not received no news of the escaped one,” he said when contacted on Friday.

He was referring to an incident on Dec 17 where - according to media reports - alleged robbers were leaving after a heist at the Rampai Business Park outlet when they were confronted by the police.

One suspect reportedly charged at the police with a machete and was shot dead on the spot. The other is believed to be wounded but still at large after the 4.30am incident.

However, robberies continue to occur in the area, including both of the chain’s outlets in Wangsa Maju on Friday.

NONE When met, staff at the Jalan Metro Wangsa, Jalan Wangsa Delima 13, and Sri Rampai Business Park confirmed the incidents, but all except those at the Jalan Metro Wangsa outlet could not provide details as it was staff members from another shift who were affected.

An employee from a car accessories shop next to the Rampai Business Park KK Supermart outlet said crime had always been an issue in the area.

Although his shop has not been robbed yet, he said he fearful working there.

‘Security less than satisfactory’

“We are very punctual. We open at 10am and close at 8pm. Even if we have to work late, we would do it behind closed doors... the security here is less than satisfactory,” said Gan Chin Leong when met on Friday.

He added that there was an incident about two months ago where a person was slashed to death after visiting a bank about 30 metres away, while the KK Supermart robber was shot dead at his doorstep.

NONE Meanwhile, in Taman Serdang Perdana, a KK Supermart staff member said the shop was robbed about five or six times a year, and was robbed three times last month.

The staff member, Mokhlesur Rahman ( left ) from Bangladesh, said police had set up camp in front of the outlet, but it has been unmanned this month.

Although fearful, he said the staff could do nothing as their passports are withheld by their employers.

However, local resident M Gunalan said security in the area has improved and police patrols are being carried out.

Chai said as a security measure, signs have been posted banning customers from wearing helmets in the shop, because robbers commonly used it to prevent their faces from being captured on CCTV cameras.

NONE “Our staff also tell them, ‘No helmet, cannot come inside’, but how can we... the customer is king.

“(They would say,) ‘Why can’t I wear it? I just want a moment to buy cigarettes,’ but that moment is not for buying cigarettes. It is robbery!” he said.

He added that he had instructed KK Supermart’s security team to guard its worst-hit outlets, but conceded that since they are unarmed, they would be powerless in the event of a robbery.

“If the robber has a knife, how can you defend yourself? Only the police (can),” he said.