Why security guards looked like statues during Ampang attack
Companies are hiring any “Tom, Dick and Harry” and not career guards, explains industry veteran.
“Things would be very different if security companies in Malaysia hired career guards rather than any Tom, Dick and Harry to make up the numbers,” said Security Training and Development Association (Stadam) president Khirudin Tajudin.
Speaking to FMT, he said the guards’ inaction was a symptom of the problems faced by the security industry.
“This is an industry problem. Many security companies aren’t in it to provide a service but to make money.”
He said such security companies only wanted to supply guards because there is a demand for security guards but they weren’t really passionate or concerned about security.
“So they just recruit anyone who is looking for a job. But these guards may not have the right mental attributes to be a guard.”
“So when you have a situation like this, the guards would just look on rather than act. It is embarrassing for a guard to just be a bystander.”
Khirudin acknowledged that in the Ampang incident, the guards were outnumbered but said this was no reason to not try and break up the assault.
He said that security guards had a duty to maintain order at all times, adding that the attack on the lorry driver could have been worse and the victim could have lost his life.
Khirudin said this was why it was important for security companies to equip their guards with the necessary tools and training to help diffuse situations, especially when they are outnumbered.
He also said this was why it was important for guards to be trained and receive the minimum accreditation from both the human resources ministry and home ministry.
Last week, a lorry driver accidentally reversed into a Mercedes-Benz owned by a VVIP.
This led to a group of men attacking him, kicking him in the head several times while security guards at the condo looked on nervously — a brutal scene caught on video and gone viral, raising public outrage.
The attackers were believed to be working for the VVIP and have since been arrested by the police.
Woman among 4 arrested for Ampang lorry driver assault
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram