PJ council starts programme to light up backlane of houses

By Vincent Tan vincent.tan@thestar.com.my

HOUSE owners can start applying for their backlanes to be lit up to enhance safety and prevent crime, said Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman.About RM100,000 has been allocated for the programme which was launched by the mayor on April 3.

Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will bear the cost of wiring as well as the LED lights. The house owner will have bear the monthly electricity bill as well as replacement cost should the LED lighting be damaged.

MBPJ councillor and Green City of Petaling Jaya Task Force chairman Khairul Anuar Zainudin said the wiring and LED lights would cost about RM300 per house.

It’s official: Roslan turns on a light to symbolises the launch of the Bandar Selamat campaign.

“With the allocation, we can do the wiring for 300 to 400 houses,” he said.

He added that the LED lighting was chosen as it was superior in terms of electricity usage and lifespan compared with conventional lamps.

The LED lights can last up to 50,000 hours.

“The light will be fixed with a timer to turn on for 12 hours from 7pm to 7am. Based on a tariff of RM0.218 and an annual operation period of 4,380 hours, that would amount to RM17.19 for LED lighting, as opposed to RM41.06 for conventional lighting,” Khairul added.

Roslan said only the house owner would be eligible to apply for the programme and they should not have any outstanding bills or taxes with MBPJ.

“Those with illegal extensions and renovations will be disqualified,” said Roslan.

He said the programme supplemented MBPJ’s crime-reduction activities under its Bandar Selamat programme.

“There are 120,000 web pages and articles which discuss the close connection between lighting and crime.

“It not only helps to make the areas safe, but also instill a sense of pride and togetherness in the neighbourhood.

“Energy-saving LED lighting is also low in carbon emission thus protecting the environment,” added Roslan.

He said more funds would be allocated if there was a big demand for backlane lighting.

Roslan said since the Bandar Selamat programme was launched in 2006, 46 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and 245 streetlights had been installed in PJ.

“About 60 more CCTV cameras will be installed soon,” he added.

He said the crime index for PJ had dropped by 8.2% in November last year.

Some residents, such as N.R. Nathan from SS2, felt that the cost of replacing the LED lights was high compared with conventional ones.

Nevertheless, Nathan agreed that it was a good idea to enhance safety in the neighbourhood.

House owners can begin applying for their backlanes to be lit up. They will need to bring a copy of their identification card or Form 49, as well as a copy of their latest assessment and electricity bill.

Applications are made on a first-come-first-serve basis and forms can be obtained from MBPJ’s Public Relations unit, One-Stop Centre unit, Department of Planning and Development and Mechanical and Electrical Division.

The forms can also be downloaded from www.mbpj.gov.my

Article Source http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/4/6/central/11044387&sec=central#.T340uSQ81Lw.twitter