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Never walk alone to your car.
Park in well-lit areas, get a good car alarm and immediately lock your car doors once you're inside the car, said Singaporean shoppers who frequent Malaysian shopping malls.
Their heightened precautions come in the wake of recent reports about some high-profile crimes at popular shopping mall carparks in Petaling Jaya.
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Last month, Internet marketeer Chin Xin-Ci (right), 25, was almost abducted by two men at a basement carpark of popular shopping mall The Curve in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
She managed to escape after struggling inside the car.
Less than 24 hours after Ms Chin's incident, two women were robbed of RM80,000 (S$32,000) at the same place.
The case revived memories of the 2003 kidnap, rape and murder of Malaysia-born US resident Canny Ong Lay Kian, 28, who was abducted from a carpark while on her way home to meet her sick father.
Her charred remains were found in a manhole two days later.
Some Singaporeans who frequently shop in Malaysia told The New Paper that they're paying more heed to security after the recent spate of events.
Bank employee Wendy Tay, 29, said she always walks to the car with her boyfriend close by. Even when she goes to the toilet, she makes sure that her boyfriend is right outside.
She said: "I take more precautions overseas, especially after reading about the crimes in some of the malls in Malaysia.
"I don't take unnecessary risks."
Her boyfriend is considering installing a closed-circuit TV in her car.
Malaysian women drivers The Star spoke to also said it's always better to be paranoid than sorry.
Malaysian writer Josephine Lau, 29, said it's important for women to be aware of their surroundings.
"While some say that you can't do much if you're already marked, I believe that there is something everyone can do to prevent themselves from becoming victims," she said.
She said the self-defence class she had just attended "drilled" into her the need to be "paranoid" at all times.
"Some of the tips are simple things we take for granted like not talking on your phone when you cross the street," she said.
Ms Lau added that she always checks her car mirrors when she drives and avoids going out too late at night.
The situation has aroused widespread concern, with Petaling Jaya mayor Roslan Sakiman calling for "a concerted and coordinated effort to adopt anti-crime measures".
He suggested that the number of guards at parking areas be increased and for foot patrols to be carried out more frequently.
Petaling Jaya police said they are working closely with shopping mall operators, advising them on security measures, reported The Star yesterday.
Selangor police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Tun Hisan Hamzah said: "Private security personnel hired by these shopping malls must also be trained to respond effectively and this can be done only through proper drills."
Awareness campaigns
He added that police would organise campaigns to raise awareness on personal safety.
Some shopping malls have already taken measures to review and tighten security.
Bukit Bintang and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Tourism Association chairman Joyce Yap learnt this after checking with the managements of more than 10 shopping malls in the Klang Valley.
"Besides increasing the number of security guards, most mall operators have directed their guards to make more frequent patrols at their carparks," she said.
"Some also provide service to accompany shoppers to their cars," she told The Star.
Ms Yap said all shopping malls must have well-lit carparks with CCTVs installed and monitored.
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