TWICE a week, just as the day begins across the neighbourhoods of Subang Jaya and USJ, three familiar faces gear up for duty not with badges or sirens, but with purpose and camaraderie. They are the Voluntary Patrol Unit’s (VPU) very own “Three Musketeers”: Megat, Naidu, and James, a trio of seasoned gentlemen who have dedicated their golden years to keeping the community safe.
Founded in April 2010, the VPU was born out of a desire to establish an omnipresence in residential areas, deterring petty crime and providing reassurance to residents through regular volunteer patrols often in collaboration with the police. Today, patrollers continue this mission, cruising through the streets in marked VPU vehicles, eyes peeled and ears open.
Among these quiet heroes is Nook Naidu Simmaduary, 78, from USJ6. A former school principal with 12 grandchildren, Naidu has been an active VPU member for eight years. Not even a heart bypass and two angiograms could slow him down.
“I enjoy the company of my fellow patrollers. We’re the ears and eyes of the police,” he says. “We don’t make arrests, but our presence matters. We remind residents to lock their gates, and we remove those pesky Ah Long stickers.”
Naidu patrols twice a week with his steadfast companions, calling themselves the Three M(alay); I(ndian); C(hinese) Musketeers.
“As long as I’m able, I’ll continue. Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility.”
At 79 years old, Megat Sulaiman Megat Hussain from USJ2 is the senior-most among the trio. One of the founding members of the VPU, Megat has been patrolling since Day One.
“We started with our own cars,” he recalls. “Now we have VPU vehicles. We’re the Kaki Ronda of Subang Jaya.”
A former Rural Development Ministry officer, Megat is no stranger to service. He spends four hours a week on patrols, trading stories of kampung days, work, and family life with his partners-in-crime-prevention. Their go-to break? A plate of thosai, vadai, and a round of teh tarik.
“We’ve helped accident victims, guided the elderly, fixed flat tires, and even helped the lost find their way home,” he adds with a smile. Megat has eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild on the way.
James Loke, 71, of USJ4, rounds off the trio. A former corporate executive, James joined the VPU in 2010 after reading about it in SJ Echo.
“I’ve learned so much about the different cultures and religions from Megat and Naidu,” he shares. “We may be of different faiths, but there’s a lot of respect and curiosity. That’s what keeps our friendship strong.”
In fact, Megat once gifted James a Mandarin translation of the Quran, not as a conversion effort, but as a gesture of cultural sharing.
“We started with weekly patrols. Now it’s twice a week. We love it,” James said, who has four grandchildren.
While participation in the VPU has waned over the years, VPU chairman Michael Sundram, now in his 80s, continues to champion the cause.
“We welcome residents aged 21 and above from Subang Jaya and USJ to join us,” he said.
For those keen to give back to their community and perhaps form their own Musketeer bond, Uncle Michael can be reached at 019-323 9555.
In Subang Jaya, crime prevention doesn’t just wear a uniform. Ssometimes, it shows up in a trio of dedicated seniors with a mission, a smile, and a whole lot of stories to share.
