All property owners are now required to put in place security measures in car parks located within their buildings to ensure the safety of patrons.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the requirement, which was decided by the Cabinet, applied to all owners of shopping malls, condominiums or apartments and office blocks with immediate effect.

''The Cabinet has observed that crime often takes place in these car parks whether it is vandalism, robbery or more serious crimes,'' he said.

Ong said as a preventive step, property owners or parties that are in charge of maintaining car parks must have enough security measures to protect tenants and the public.

In a multi-level car park, he said building owners must ensure that a security guard or a close-circuit television is in place to monitor what happens at each level.

''If the property owner does not use a camera, he must assign a guard to patrol the car park,'' he said after a tenant welcoming ceremony organised by Berjaya Times Square Sdn Bhd yesterday.

He said local authorities, including City Hall, had been directed to instruct building owners to comply with the requirement and take action against those who defy it.

Although there was no standardised penalty set for offenders, Ong said the local authorities and councils would have their own set of regulations and by-laws to implement the government decision in the meantime.

He said the ministry would work with local authorities and councils to carry out the decision effectively.

On whether the decision came about because of rising crime, he said precautionary measures should be taken before the situation worsens.

On another matter, Ong said the ministry was collecting information on the number of commercial or residential buildings that were not fully occupied.

''This exercise is to find out the reasons for the lack of occupancy,'' he said, adding that the findings would be submitted to the Cabinet for further action.

Source : The Star  13/3/2003