JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA - Residents in Taman Century and Taman Melodies here are urging the police to increase patrols following the murder of a noodle stall employee in the vicinity recently.

Chan Su Moi, 54, was found dead with a stab wound on her back by students outside a school in Taman Melodies on Oct 1. The school is about 100m from a police beat base.

Chan's employer who only wants to be known as Chua, 50, said the crime rate in the area was very worrying as snatch thefts and house break-ins were very common.

"I hope the police will increase their presence in the neighbourhood," she said.

Meanwhile, a resident from Jalan Landak Kawan 2, Alex Tan, 33, said he was very worried over the safety of his family in the wake of the murder of his neighbour.

The sales manager also called on the police to have more patrols in the area.

Johor Baru (South) OCPD Asst Comm Zainuddin Yaakob said police had already increased patrols in the neighbourhood.

ACP Zainuddin added the case was still under investigation and no arrests have been made so far.

He also urged family members to claim Chan's body and called on those with information on the murder to contact the police hotline at 07-2212 999.