The police beat in the notorious Chow Kit area in Kuala Lumpur was not closed down due to fear of criminals or health concerns as stated before.

Conceding he made a mistake, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar today rightfully pointed out that if fear was the reason behind the closure then 'we would all be in trouble'.

syed hamid albar visit new chow kit police station 061108 03 On Oct 16, the minister was mauled by the opposition when he revealed in Parliament that the police beat along the infamous Lorong Haji Taib ceased operations because its personnel were exposed to contagious diseases and safety risks.

Among others, PAS MP Hatta Ramli had quipped: "It would be better to put the beat base in an army barracks if the police themselves are scared."

The Chow Kit area has always been regarded as the red-light district of Kuala Lumpur and considered a hub for criminals.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Chow Kit police station, located across the street from the former police beat, the minister admitted giving the 'wrong' reason.

'Owner took it back'

The 'right' reason was that the owner of the building wanted to build shop houses in the area.

"The police beat was closed because the owner of the building took back the premises to build shop houses not because of security or health as reported," he added.

syed hamid albar visit new chow kit police station 061108 04 He also explained that the police beat was built by RHB Bank but the building was later sold to the current owner.

Asked if he would retract his statement made in Parliament, Syed Hamid replied: "I think I have fixed the mistake. The statement I made was based on a written answer and the officials had given me the wrong information."

The minister also blamed the media for confusing the public further over the matter.

"Some of the information in the written answer (in Parliament) was right, some of it was wrong.

"The media played a major role in confusing the people by giving the impression that the police are scared of criminals. If they are, then we would all will be in trouble," he said.

Police beat might be relocated

syed hamid albar visit new chow kit police station 061108 02 Meanwhile, Syed Hamid said the authorities hope to relocate the police beat close to the Chow Kit police station in Jalan Raja Bot.

According to him, the relocation would help "boost communication" between the two.

Apart from this, the minister said the relocation would also help overcome the humanpower shortage since the Chow Kit police station has only 10 personnel.

He noted that residents and business operators had increased in the area and therefore additional humanpower was needed to maintain security.

Syed Hamid also stressed that Chow Kit could no longer be categorised as a 'black area' since the crime rate was decreasing.