Dismayed with reports that a couple has been driven to spend six consecutive nights in their car after being harassed and robbed in their flat, inspector-general of police Ismail Omar has instructed his men to take measures to end their woes.

"I read in The Malay Mail that they were forced to sleep in their car. This is not good. I have told the OCPD to contact the couple...

NONE "We will increase patrols in the area and take other follow-up action," Ismail ( right ) told a press conference in Cheras today.

He said everything would be done to assist the couple until their fears and their confidence in their safety are addressed.

This engagement, and others in the works, Ismail added, were part of a new police initiative of confidence-building with the public to restore their confidence in the police force and alleviate their fears of crime.

“All Investigating officers (IO) for example will be required to call at least one complainant a day, to update them on their cases. Whether they have caught the suspect, how the court case is proceeding, and so on.

“Not only the IOs, other sections should also engage with the victims.”

He explained that this will hopefully create strong links between cops and the public, fostering cooperation that may help with the process of reducing crime.       

“Who knows, they might even become friends.”

Chinese language daily China Press yesterday reported how, Haslim, a marketing manager, who had just moved into a low-cost unit in Pandan, Selangor, on July 1 with his wife and daughter, became victims of robbery and harassment.

Their nightmare began three days after they moved in, when a knife-wielding robber broke into their new home in the wee hours.

During the incident, Haslim’s daughter was attacked in her room, leaving her with a wound on the neck.

                                       

A police report was filed the same day and a second lodged on July 6 but the nightmare continued as they were harassed by the perpetrator.

Haslim has since sent his daughter to his hometown and the couple spend their nights in their car.

‘Woman accomplice still under observation’

Meanwhile, asked about the current status of the women accomplice of the katana-wielding man who died from his wounds after being shot trying to break into the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya, Ismail said that she still under observation.

“She is still being treated in the hospital, and is under our observation. We are still in the process of gathering information about her.”

The woman, he said, is conscious and has had her statement taken by police.

Ismail also warned the media and the public not to speculate on links to a new cult or make statements about the prevalence of deviant cults as none of it is proven, stressing that as far as police can ascertain, the duo acted alone.

However, Ismail said that the police will monitor and investigate the sword-wielding man’s website which carried his ideas and beliefs, to see if it has been spread and if it may pose further threats.

He also disclosed that another man, a close confidant of the attacker, has been remanded into police custody.

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