Seventh mall attack, this time elderly man is victim

PETALING JAYA: A 69-year-old businessman has become the seventh victim of attacks at shopping malls in the Klang Valley -- raising worries about safety at such establishments, especially in car parks, despite measures to beef up security there.

The latest case involving an assault and attempted robbery at the car park in One Utama here went viral after a witness posted photographs of the victim and an account of the incident that occurred at 10pm on Monday.

The victim, identified only as Lim, had gone to the lower ground floor car park with his wife after closing his shop when a man surprised him from behind and tried to grab his briefcase.

Lim put up a fight and the man punched him several times on his face. He sustained injuries on his lips. His wife screamed for help when she saw her husband being battered.

It was learnt there is video surveillance camera where the attack occurred. CCTV cameras have also been installed at the entrance and exit of the car park.

One Utama security and safety operations manager Santa Singh said there were four guards on patrol at that car park level and the woman's screams alerted them.

The guards went in pursuit of the assailant but lost him near the Bandar Utama TV3 building where he escaped.

Santa said the One Utama had about 80 guards on duty between 7am and 7pm daily, and four guards patrol each car park level at the old and new wings.

Meanwhile, police are investigating claims by the person who posted the incident on Facebook that someone manning 999 did not respond to his distress call politely and scolded him for not speaking in Bahasa Malaysia.

Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Arjuanaidi Mohamed said the call was being scrutinised.

Some shopping malls had recently hired Rela personnel to assist in patrolling the complex while police in talks with building managements to train their security guards in crime prevention.