Guard posts and roadblocks are illegal
12/09/2007 The Star

I REFER to 'Guardhouses and roadblocks are there for a good reason' (The Star, Aug 29). The writer 'JC' suggested that, in the name of personal security, the residents in his area are entitled to privately erect illegal guard posts over public roads to keep strangers out and get visitors to register with the guards.

The public can re-route if they do not like the roadblocks, JC advised.

I think he completely missed the point that previous letters on the issue of illegal guard posts were making. Public roads are meant to be for the use and convenience of the public. Residents cannot treat public property as if it is their own and deprive the public, all in the name of security.

By all means, have security in your area but don’t break the law or inconvenience the public.

Residents may employ guards to patrol their area. The guards can follow and report suspicious characters to the police. However, residents cannot erect illegal guard posts to keep strangers out or require visitors to register with the guards or require the public to re-route.

If residents like JC wish to have security lawfully, they should stay in condominiums where the guards can lawfully stop outsiders.

If they wish to live in landed properties with public roads and amenities, they cannot brush aside the lawful rights of the public.

I believe the law against unlawful roadblocks is there for a good reason– to prevent anarchy and chaos! Remember, even the police and JPJ officers cannot set up roadblocks without proper authorisation. What more can we say about the illegal guard posts set up by a few private residents?

RICARDO,

Kuala Lumpur.