PETALING JAYA, 21 July 2009 - Sime Darby Property, the leading property developer in Malaysia has pioneered a comprehensive “Safe City” agenda for its Ara Damansara township in its continuous efforts to create a safer living environment for its communities.

Launched by the Minister of Home Affairs YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein at Ara Damansara this morning, the “Safe City Initiative” is the result of a collaboration between Sime Darby Property, the Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF), Selangor State Government and the Ara Damansara Residents’ Association to reduce crime while fostering a community spirit.

The “Safe City” initiatives implemented in the Ara Damansara Township are based on the “Safe City” criteria set by the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning, Ministry of Housing and Local Government and supported by Sime Darby Property’s own Quality, Environment, Safety and Health (QESH) sustainable living policy.

YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein in his speech said that he was impressed with Sime Darby Property’s comprehensive efforts and its commitment to ensure the successful implementation of the Safe City concept which is in line with the Government’s on-going efforts to create a safer living environment for all Malaysians.

“Sime Darby Property continuously strives to enhance the townships we develop and by doing so, we hope to improve the living environment to the benefit of our homebuyers and residents”, said Sime Darby Berhad President and Group Chief Executive, Dato' Seri Ahmad Zubir bin Haji Murshid.

“In responding to the Government’s call to create a safer living environment for its citizens, we are making an effort to transform Ara Damansara into one of the safest townships with a level of security features that will now position Ara Damansara as the benchmark for security measures to all of the townships that we build”, he added.

Ara Damansara’s “Safe City” initiative includes 24-hour surveillance by a network of 22 strategically located solar powered CCTV cameras which are linked to the township’s own police station as well as the Petaling Jaya Police District Headquarters.

The RM1.1 million Ara Damansara Police Station was built by Sime Darby Property and serves as the nerve centre of the township’s sophisticated CCTV surveillance system. The 1,902 sq ft state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility features an Investigation Room, Strong Room, Meeting Room, Waiting Room, Holding Yard and other facilities.

The RM2.3 million CCTV surveillance system is backed by a highly-trained security force which includes members of the Royal Malaysian Police, who will patrol the streets of the township in the three police cars contributed by Sime Darby Property. Manned guard houses at each entry point provide on ground monitoring and act as an additional layer of protection for the community.

The initiative to transform Ara Damansara into one of the safest townships in Malaysia through its “Safe City Initiative” started in 2007 with the planning conducted in close ties with the Ara Damansara Residents’ Association – a pioneering partnership which was applauded by the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF).

According to MCPF Vice-Chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, the “Safe City” initiative represents a good example of positive partnership between the government, private sector and the citizens working towards crime prevention through law enforcement, environmental design and preventive education.

“In this connection it is noted that Sime Darby Property has complied with the Crime Prevention Measures under the Safe City Programme introduced by the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning, which focus on the design of the physical environment, social / community and education as well as public awareness activities,” said Lee.

Designed to reflect Sime Darby Property’s philosophy of developing safe and sustainable communities with its “one-entry, one-exit” design concept, the 762 acre Ara Damansara is a mixed residential and commercial low density development located in Petaling Jaya’s north growth area along the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport Road between the Saujana Golf and Country Resort and the Tropicana Golf & Country Club. Among its most recent development is the luxurious Ara Hill resort condominiums and the Oasis Service Suites which comprises 326 premium units – almost all of which were snapped up by buyers after just 6 weeks of its launch in June 2009.