Residents fear for safety after stray bullets hit homes

 

KOTA BARU: Residents of Taman Minee Villa in Kemumin near Pengkalan Chepa fear for their safety after stray bullets allegedly struck their homes.

They claimed the bullets were believed to have come from a shooting range located about 300m from the residential area.

Security guard Baharom Hussin, 51, said he discovered a bullet near the housing area two days ago while on duty.

Baharom, a former army personnel who has worked there for the past five years, said at least two houses had their window panes shattered, allegedly after being struck by stray bullets.

"As a former soldier, I know the concrete wall built around the shooting range does not have adequate safety features.

"That is why bullets can still escape the area," he said when met at the housing estate today.

He said residents were not against shooting training activities but wanted the authorities to tighten monitoring and improve safety measures at the facility.

"We understand the need for firearms training, but the safety of residents must come first," he said, adding that residents had lodged a police report over the incidents.

He said about 30 houses had been built in the housing area, which has existed for the past eight years.

Trader Ahmad Hakimi Mohd Razali, 33, said residents were becoming increasingly uneasy, especially over the safety of children playing outdoors.

"There are days when we hear shooting almost every day. We even found what appeared to be bullet fragments on the roof of our house.

"This has been happening over the past two years but lately it has become more frequent," said the father of four.

Housing area worker Mohamad Amirul Jailani, 30, said the authorities should take immediate action as the situation was causing anxiety among residents.

Amirul said he had only started working there five months ago but had already heard of several incidents involving damaged homes.

"Over the past two or three days, there were reports of shattered windows at houses here.

"The workers as well as the residents here are worried, especially for the safety of children. If possible, the shooting activities should be temporarily halted until proper safety measures are put in place," he said.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Shooting Association secretary Datuk Riduan Junoh said the association would leave the matter to the police to investigate.

"On behalf of the association, we will immediately upgrade areas where there are leakages.

"In addition, the association president has issued an immediate directive to stop all outdoor shooting training activities and only allow shooting practice to be conducted within the complex area," he said when contacted. - NST