Despite high profile visits by government officials and police top brass to shopping malls, majority of shoppers who were interviewed by Malaysiakini felt the move did not allay their fear of crime.

Idi Yasmin Mazlan, 23, said she would prefer to see more security personnel in shopping malls and the recent spate of crime has caused her to worry for her safety.

“We need more security personnel, particularly to safeguard and protect females. There should also be parking lots just for women," said the student.

Charice Tai, 23, dismissed the walkabout as a “mere visit” and it was unlikely to resolve the matter.

"Now there are even crime in the shopping mall's toilet," said the executive who works in a hotel.

She said the public have to be extra careful with their surroundings and people should carry a pepper spray as a precaution.

Civil servant Wan Mohd Afif Wan Sharkawi, 27, said shopping malls should provide police beat bases.

"We need police counters and patrols around the area because it would be more difficult for security guards to take action against criminals,” he said.

Situation on the ground

As for the high profile visits, Wan Mohd said it was in the right direction because it allows officials to understand the situation on the ground.

Similarly,  24-year-old student from Ampang who wished to be known only as Amy, said the walkabouts does make it appear as though the authorities are serious in addressing the matter.

"I am not quite sure of the outcome, but they do show that they are taking action," she said.

After Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop’s walkabout in Midvalley shopping mall today, he told reporters that the fear of shopping mall related crime was due to “perception”.

He said that there were only nine cases of shopping mall related crimes in Kuala Lumpur this year and the figure is considered low.

Previously, the officials from Bukit Aman national police headquarters have visited the same mall to distribute goodie bags and interact with the public while Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has done the same .