IMPROVING SECURITY: SMC chairman and Lanang member of parliament Datuk Tiong Thai King presents a padlock to a motorcyclist. At left is Temenggong Vincent Lau.

SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) distributed hundreds of padlocks to motorcyclists at the Sibu Central Market yesterday.

SMC secretary Hii Chang Kee said the initiative, which was part of the safe city programme, aimed to encourage motorcyclists to double lock their machines given the high number of motorcycle thefts here.

Under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government programme, SMC completed installing 857 motorcycle ground anchors complete with security chains and 13 red signboards costing about RM180,000 last July.

“It was implemented mainly in the town area besides Giant Hypermarket and Sungai Merah.

“The locking devices at these locations are fitted with two metal bars to enable the bike wheel to be locked using a padlock,” Hii explained.

However, he said many motorcyclist were not using the security facilities at present.

“Bear in mind that these devices are there to benefit the motorcycle owners, making it difficult for would-be thieves to commit crimes,” he said.

Sibu currently has 6,000 motorcycle parking bays.

Hii added that the safe city programme also involved installing extra street lighting and convex security mirrors.

“We have increased the number of street lights in the town centre and Sungai Merah. The reflective round mirrors will help alert members of the public on any would-be snatch thieves or pickpockets.

“They also help prevent accidents. At the same time, we have also erected bollards such as the one near Catholic High School, to separate pedestrians from traffic to prevent accidents.”

A 47-year-old motorcyclist surnamed Wong said he appreciated SMC’s initiative to improve security.

“I don’t mind the hassle of double locking my motorcycle as this would help keep motorcycle thieves at bay,” said the bricklayer.

Meanwhile, Sibu police chief ACP Shafie Ismail said on average two motorcycles are stolen here every day.

“The reported motorcycle thefts here are alarming where for the first quarter of this year, a total of 127 motorcycles were reported missing.

“Therefore, the initiative by Sibu Municipal Council in providing locking devices and distributing padlocks to encourage motorcyclists to double lock their machines would go a long way to help bring down the rampant motorcycle thefts cases here,” he said.