Where residents look out for each other

By K. ANURADHA

ARTHUR Koh’s typical day involves helping his neighbours solve their problems. To some it may seem a tiresome, thankless job, but he does it with zeal. 

Anything from traffic to security to a power disruption, everyone in USJ 16 takes their problems to “Uncle Arthur.” 

It does not faze this doyen of USJ 16, who is still able and active at 70, to make his night watch rounds with his neighbours.  

To him, the neighbourhood is something close to his heart and something to care for, having lived in USJ 16 for almost four years. 

A community party in progress in USJ 16.

The neighbourhood is yet another chunk of residential estate in the heart of Klang Valley’s arguably largest middle-class suburbia – UEP Subang Jaya. 

With almost 600 link-houses, it is easy to be anonymous in this neighbourhood, especially since many of the owners are busy professionals and businessmen whose jobs keep them outside of their homes most of the day. 

What separates USJ 16 from others is its occupants’ commitment to keeping their neighbourhood safe and friendly.  

Towards this end, a lot of community activities take place in the neighbourhood. Daily tai chi classes, regular pot-luck parties, recycling drives, dance events are just some of them 

“We try to get in touch with all our neighbours and maintain rapport, because this was how it was like in the olden days,” said Koh, a veteran of the British army. 

Ironically, all the closeness stemmed from a common worry – numerous break-ins and thefts. Not so long ago, USJ 16, like its neighbours, was ripe target for such crimes.  

The residents then got their act together and night patrols, conducted by the residents themselves, kicked off three years ago. Since then USJ 16 has become a safer place for its residents.  

“The robbers are smarter these days. Break-ins occur occasionally and only at homes where they know they can find loot,’’ said architect Anthony Lee Tee.  

Wicked humour and backslapping camaraderie reign during the nightly patrols, done by driving around the neighbourhood in four wheel drive vehicles fitted with police patrol flash lights.  

Once the rounds are done, it is teh-tarik time when they head for the 24-hour Stadium Nasi Kandar where they trade stories and sometimes network over a cup of coffee or tea.  

Anthony Lee, is not only a member of the neighbourhood patrol, but his commitment to USJ 16 is iron-clad, or rather cement-clad.  

He designed and built a largely timber gazebo that today serves as a meeting point for the residents. The structure is a shady area to rest after long walks and jogs, but more importantly the RM100,000 gazebo is a symbol of USJ 16’s pride and community-togetherness. It is where neighbourhood pot-lucks are held, and when it does, everyone brings their own plates and cutlery.  

The chairman of the neighbourhood watch, who wanted to be known only as Ong, said it was initially hard to get the neighbours to participate in community activities, but once they did, there was no holding back. Today, 180 residents are involved in the neighbourhood watch.  

“They see the few sleepless hours of the night as a small payment,’’ he said. “It is like a payback for the rest of the months when they can go to bed feeling safe.’’  

Tarlochan Singh and Jumahat Subaree do not live next to each other. Thanks to the neighbourhood watch, they are now thick of friends.  

“The watch helps foster good relations among neighbours and is the main reason that we are so involved in our community,” said Tarlochan Singh. 

Even as Star Metro visited USJ 16, a dance activity was in progress. The womenfolk were exercising and sweating it out doing the line dance.  

“We have two main sessions weekly and anyone interested can join us.” said a regular, Ng Mei Ling. There are some two dozen women who are part of this group, and the number is steadily growing. 

USJ 16 may not be the best neighbourhood on earth, but the laudable part is they are doing everything they can to get there.