KK Mart convenience stores across Kuala Lumpur are set to be turned into designated “safety points” where members of the public can seek temporary shelter during emergencies.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said the initiative was being planned through a strategic partnership between the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the private sector to strengthen crime prevention in the capital.
Under the proposed scheme, members of the public facing threats, harassment or other emergencies could seek temporary protection at KK Mart outlets while waiting for police assistance to arrive.
“Previously, the safety point concept was implemented with petrol stations, but this time we want to expand it through the KK Mart network,” Fadil said.
He said police hoped to implement the initiative soon, once the necessary technical processes and approvals had been finalised.
Fadil was speaking to reporters after officiating the opening of a KK Mart outlet at the Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police Headquarters on Tuesday.
He added that KK Mart outlets could also serve as temporary stopover points for police personnel while conducting patrols or operations in the field.
“This initiative will further enhance community safety while strengthening cooperation between the police, private sector and the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fadil said PDRM was also exploring potential technological cooperation with KK Mart, including access to the retailer’s extensive closed-circuit television (CCTV) network.
KK Mart currently operates more than 1,100 outlets nationwide, with each outlet equipped with about 16 CCTV cameras that are centrally monitored from the company’s headquarters.
Fadil said this meant more than 17,000 CCTV cameras could potentially be used as an additional source of information for police investigations.
“If they are connected through facial recognition and identity recognition systems, we can track suspects’ movements and identify locations they have previously visited more quickly,” he said.
He said such technology-based cooperation would not only assist criminal investigations but could also demonstrate how the private sector could contribute directly to community safety.
However, Fadil stressed that the proposal would first be refined with KK Mart and relevant agencies, with security, privacy and legal compliance given priority before implementation.
