Class After 7pm, Yay Or Nay?
KAJANG: University students feel unsafe to go home after sunset because of dangerous environment.
Students in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Sungai Long worry about going back to her hostel when she had classes that ends after 7PM because of the dark and quiet environment. Moreover, it has been reported women being peeked in the campus toilet, stealing and stalking cases happened in the past three months.
Student Chang Yi Wen, 22years old from Broadcasting Programme, has class finish at 7PM every Monday expressed her concern of going back to the hostel in Section 1, at that time because of the dark and quiet environment. “My class always finish after 7PM, so I always go back to my dorm immediately without having dinner on Monday, because I am scared to walk alone. I will only take dinner that day if I have friends to send me home” she said. What concerns Chang even more is there have been reports of sexual assaults in her area recently.
In addition, Cindy Heng Xia Yee, 21years old who is taking Early Childhood Education Programme that also having finish after 7PM shared the same opinion. Although she mentioned that she is not worried because she drives back to her hostel, Green Arce Condo but she will feel scared as well if she has to walk back.
The Campus Wide Representative from UTAR Student Representative Council, Choo Kuen Cheng said the majority of the students who stay in Sungai Long had joined the community that allows students who have common destination to carpool or walk home together. “We are currently proposing installation of CCTV at crucial area” he added.
Other than that, Department of Safety and Security DSS of UTAR also helps in decreasing crime rate around the area such as regular patrol. Mr. Zainudin Bin Mustaffa, the head of department of DSS, shared that students who are afraid of going home at late night can make a request to DSS, at KB 5th floor, to be escorted home.
Students are advised to at least own a pepper spray or other self-defense tool if you often walks home after dark. For those who live in Sungai Long, please join the community that forms by UTAR’s SRC if you haven’t. Visit UTAR SRC for more information.