KUCHING, MALAYSIA: The increasing number of daring armed robberies, believed to be done by organised bands of criminals, has put fear into many a household. Certain organised groups, which police claim comprised local and Indonesian criminals, have been terrorising the residents of Petrajaya, Matang, Stampin, Sungai Maong and Batu Kawa here.

Robberies and break-ins were rare in the past, while firearm-toting robbers were almost unheard of, but the last year has been marked by a drastic increase in robberies.

A New Straits Times survey among residents in the affected areas and the city in general showed that the people were living in fear.

Although the police claim to be on the ball and assure the people that the necessary preventive measures were being taken every time a robbery happened, the situation doesn't seem to be improving.

In fact, the security situation in areas like the state administrative centre of Petrajaya seem to be getting worse.

"Even the deputy chief minister's house was not spared and the police are still dragging their feet.

"I fear for the safety of my family. It seems that there is nothing that can stop these robbers.

"I don't think they have any fear of the police," a resident from the Siol Kandis area in Petrajaya claimed.

The bank manager, who spoke on condition of anony-mity, said residents were frustrated with the authorities as "they have no other means of solving the problem".

The daring nature of the robbers has even surprised Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan.

"This has become a very serious matter and I think the people's confidence in the police is very low.

"This is very worrying, as the robbers seem to be openly challenging the police," Chan said when contacted.