Wisnu
Contributor
I just want to share my bad experience in KL however the same case might happen anywhere in the world particularly in the big city.
More and more top dive destination in this region now can be reached cheaply with Air Asia with KL as a main hub. Most of the AA flight schedule requires overnight, many people choose to stay in KLCC area to enjoy the beauty of KL city with its spectacular twin tower, great mall and nice food. At least, we are one of them.
Having enjoyed great diving in Bunaken and Lembeh; we stopped at KL for few days.
We stayed at the Zon All Suite residence on the KLCC park, a nice and good value hotel in prime location within 5 minute walking distance from KLCC and Twin Tower.
On the first day, around 10.10 pm we returned to the hotel after having dinner and shopping at Suria KLCC. We crossed the street in front of the Hotel and Mosque from the KLCC park; myself took care of my kids and my wife hold my 70 years old mum with the right hand while keeping her handbag on the left hand. Everything happened very fast when a motorcyclist snatched my mum handbag. Unfortunately (or probably fortunately) I was not fast enough to seize him. Having heard our screams, few peoples including the hotel security personnel surrounded us.
Surprisingly, the hotel security personnel were not very active to assist us although they know we are their hotel guess. Instead, at least one or two men were very enthusiastic to "help" us. He told us that his friend was trying to chase and get the criminal. He asked us to immediately report to police station; even he offered his cellular for us to call the police. I would love if that offer came from the Hotel security officers not from the strangers. The more this guy insisted to report to the police; the more resistant for us to accept his "help". Instead, we left them and bring my family to our room for resting - as they were very shock.
In the hotel lobby, we asked the security personnel and hotel staff regarding the nearest location of the police station - unfortunately no clear answers; no help how to get there. Instead; one of the security personnel approached me and told me that somebody looking for us in the hotel parking area. Then he guided us to meet them - the same person who tried to help us together with his friend. The security left us alone. This guy claimed he had done his best to chase the robber but no success; now asking for money.
Certainly I refused and quickly enter back to the hotel.
"Luckily" there's no important document in my mum's handbag although there's significant amount of cash money.
On the next morning, we discussed our case with some hotel staff. To my surprise; they did not surprise as the same cases are very common and frequently happen to the tourist in KLCC. And she suggested to always using backpack instead of handbag.
I understood crime is not an easy problem to handle particularly in the big city like KL. However, noting our case is not the first nor the only one, plus the fact that KLCC is the main tourist destination - it is sad to realize that no police, no additional protection and not even warning are available to minimize the same case will happen again. From our room, we could see the area between the mosque and the hotel is relatively dark, no sufficient lighting and there's some pocket area, which is quite dark where somebody can hide with his motorbike and wait for another victims.
I am not impressing with the attitude of the hotel security personnel. They can do much better to help their guess, ÅÐr ??????
According to my local friend, it is not impossible the two guys probably more than two - who tried to help us is actually part of the ÅÕeam and I also was ÅÍucky not able to catch the bandit as if that happened, they would act to support the operation and I could be injured or killed.
Nevertheless, I still believe KL is a nice city just beware, alert and cautious.
More and more top dive destination in this region now can be reached cheaply with Air Asia with KL as a main hub. Most of the AA flight schedule requires overnight, many people choose to stay in KLCC area to enjoy the beauty of KL city with its spectacular twin tower, great mall and nice food. At least, we are one of them.
Having enjoyed great diving in Bunaken and Lembeh; we stopped at KL for few days.
We stayed at the Zon All Suite residence on the KLCC park, a nice and good value hotel in prime location within 5 minute walking distance from KLCC and Twin Tower.
On the first day, around 10.10 pm we returned to the hotel after having dinner and shopping at Suria KLCC. We crossed the street in front of the Hotel and Mosque from the KLCC park; myself took care of my kids and my wife hold my 70 years old mum with the right hand while keeping her handbag on the left hand. Everything happened very fast when a motorcyclist snatched my mum handbag. Unfortunately (or probably fortunately) I was not fast enough to seize him. Having heard our screams, few peoples including the hotel security personnel surrounded us.
Surprisingly, the hotel security personnel were not very active to assist us although they know we are their hotel guess. Instead, at least one or two men were very enthusiastic to "help" us. He told us that his friend was trying to chase and get the criminal. He asked us to immediately report to police station; even he offered his cellular for us to call the police. I would love if that offer came from the Hotel security officers not from the strangers. The more this guy insisted to report to the police; the more resistant for us to accept his "help". Instead, we left them and bring my family to our room for resting - as they were very shock.
In the hotel lobby, we asked the security personnel and hotel staff regarding the nearest location of the police station - unfortunately no clear answers; no help how to get there. Instead; one of the security personnel approached me and told me that somebody looking for us in the hotel parking area. Then he guided us to meet them - the same person who tried to help us together with his friend. The security left us alone. This guy claimed he had done his best to chase the robber but no success; now asking for money.
Certainly I refused and quickly enter back to the hotel.
"Luckily" there's no important document in my mum's handbag although there's significant amount of cash money.
On the next morning, we discussed our case with some hotel staff. To my surprise; they did not surprise as the same cases are very common and frequently happen to the tourist in KLCC. And she suggested to always using backpack instead of handbag.
I understood crime is not an easy problem to handle particularly in the big city like KL. However, noting our case is not the first nor the only one, plus the fact that KLCC is the main tourist destination - it is sad to realize that no police, no additional protection and not even warning are available to minimize the same case will happen again. From our room, we could see the area between the mosque and the hotel is relatively dark, no sufficient lighting and there's some pocket area, which is quite dark where somebody can hide with his motorbike and wait for another victims.
I am not impressing with the attitude of the hotel security personnel. They can do much better to help their guess, ÅÐr ??????
According to my local friend, it is not impossible the two guys probably more than two - who tried to help us is actually part of the ÅÕeam and I also was ÅÍucky not able to catch the bandit as if that happened, they would act to support the operation and I could be injured or killed.
Nevertheless, I still believe KL is a nice city just beware, alert and cautious.
