Area near Seremban church a crime hotspot, says parishioner

Parishioners of the Church of the Visitation in Seremban say that there are regular snatch theft incidents around the same area. - The Malaysian Insider pic, May 15, 2014.Snatch thefts and wayside robberies are almost weekly occurrences around the Church of the Visitation in Seremban, where two nuns were viciously attacked early yesterday morning.

Rahang assemblyman Mary Josephine Prittam Singh, who is a parishioner at the Catholic church, said the area was a "hotspot" for crime, especially on Sundays.

"I hear parishioners falling victims to snatch thieves practically every Sunday," she told a press conference at the church today.

"These cases usually happen between 7.30am and 11.30am after the Tamil and English masses."

However, these cases go unreported, Mary Josephine said, as the victims refuse to go through the hassle and red tape involved in lodging a report.

"And they say that they will not see their gold chains again, anyway."

The victims have told the DAP politician that the culprits are always two people on motorcycles, wearing full-faced helmets.

In the latest incident, two nuns who were dressed in normal clothes, were attacked with a helmet in a robbery in the church compound shortly after they arrived at the premise for the 6.30am mass with two other nuns.

Sisters Juliana Lim and Marie Rose are from the Infant Jesus Convent, which is located about a 10-minute walk from the church.

Sr Lim, 68, is in a coma and on a respirator to help her breathe while 80-year-old Sister Mary Rose is recovering from injuries.

Police believe that the lone assailant made away with the belongings of the nuns who were each holding a small bag containing a Bible, prayer book, rosary and a small amount of cash.

Sr Lim also lost her identification documents, car keys and house keys.

She is now left fighting for her life, as doctors say she is not responding to treatment, Mary Josephine said.

"Her pressure is dropping and the doctors said she has irreversible head injuries," she added.

The attack on the nuns have brought about speculation that it could have been sparked by the heated religious issues that have been in the news of late.

However, the assemblyman called on all parties to stop the speculation as it was affecting the church, the convent and the nuns' family members.

"This must stop. We don't know the motive so don't speculate," she said.