MALAYSIA - THE high cost of petrol, accompanied by the rising inflation, has led many people to opt for public transport like the KTM Komuter and LRT.

Many of them park their vehicles at the open car parks at the light rail transit and train stations and then board the train to work.

This seems to be a very viable and convenient option, but one big problem has arisen from the arrangement - vehicle thefts.

There has been an increase in car and motorcycle thefts at the light rail transit and train stations during the last few months.

Thefts of old cars and cannibalisation of the vehicles for spare parts are occurring at an alarming rate at a few LRT stations and the people have been warned to be cautious when parking in these areas.

Since January, five cars have been reported stolen from the public car park at the Ampang LRT station. There were reports of attempts to steal motorcycles too.

The passenger volume on the LRT has increased with the rising cost of living, prompting more commuters to leave their vehicles at public car parks for the daily commute.

This translates to limited parking spaces for the LRT workers who are forced to park in desolate areas.

RapidKL worker Ab Razak Mahmud's 25-year-old Datsun 120Y was stolen in February.

"I have been parking in the car park since 1996 and only had a third-party insurance coverage. Now I am saddled with a new car loan," he said.

Mohd Faez Md Zain's Toyota LE 1985 model was stolen in January.

The latest car theft there occurred on Aug 5.

Khalil Mohd Piei was fortunate that his nine-year-old Proton Putra was recovered by the police after it was stolen from the car park in June. But the repairs cost him RM6,000.

Meanwhile, an attempt was made to steal Zaid Talib's new motorcycle.

"When I got to my bike after work, I realised the keyhole had been tampered with and the handle had been kicked to dislodge the lock," he said.

Rosli Arshad's car sustained damage when the side window was smashed by thieves to retrieve a bag filled with sporting goods.

"Unfortunately, the heavy downpour caused water to seep in and damage the seats. I didn't lose my valuables but the repair bill was high," he said.

According to a newspaper vendor in the area who only identified herself as Fathima, she had spotted a few suspicious-looking individuals lurking near the vehicles.

"They usually disappear when I start to observe them but I am only here a few hours daily. They might be studying my routine too," she said.

The LRT workers and the public are lamenting the serious lack of security in the car park.

Suggestions have been made to convert an abandoned warehouse in the area to a multi-level car park but unresolved ownership issues are throwing a damper on the proposal.

Ampang OCPD ACP Abdul Jalil Hassan told StarMetro that in the first two weeks of this month, two cars and six motorcycles were reported stolen.

"I advise motorists and motorcyclists not to park in back lanes and areas far from public view because vehicle thefts are on the rise. If there is no choice, invest in steering locks and central locking systems," he said.

Jalil said the police department was beefing up its patrol unit with eight motorcycles for easy access into narrow paths and back lanes.

Sentul OCPD ACP Zakaria Pagan said most car thefts occurred at the Wangsa Maju LRT station.

"From January to August, we have had 17 cases at the station and most occurred between 6am and noon," he said.

Zakaria said the police had taken note of the trend by increasing patrols during the hours.

"We also have to look at whether the parking lots were guarded and I sincerely ask that car owners increase the safety measures in their vehicles," Zakaria said.

According to a parking attendant at the Sentul Timur LRT station, there were hardly any case of car thefts for the past one year, except for one incident during the March 8 general election.

"I've been working here for about a year and I always keep an eye out for suspicious characters lingering near the cars," Hamidah Sapii said.

She said the theft occurred when she was busy handling customers on another side of the parking lot.

"These people were very daring to commit the crime at 9am when I had my back turned for a few minutes," she said.

Hamidah said she knew the owners of the vehicles and that it made it easier to identify strangers at the parking lots.

"I have all the emergency numbers needed should anything happen while I'm on watch," she said.

For those who park their cars around the area, their concerns are also about cars being broken into.

"My cousin's car was broken into two months ago at the Sentul LRT. We pay RM3 for the parking space.

"What's the point of paying if you can't leave with peace of mind,?" Devan Nair, 25, said.

Till press time, RapidKL had yet to comment on the incidents.