Guns lost in toilets, says Zahid

The Home Ministry cited five reasons behind the police force’s missing firearms which were disclosed in the 2012 Auditor-General’s Report earlier this month.

But the reason that the weapons had “fell into sea” was not one of them, the Dewan Rakyat heard yesterday.

In a written reply to Tian Chua (PKR-Batu), Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi said the missing weapons from the police’s inventory were due to thefts from police vehicles, robberies, misplaced or dropped while officers were on duty, missing in the office or while officers were in the toilet.

He said the missing weapons were light firearms (pistols and revolvers) which could be attached to the body.

“Out of the 44 weapons missing, seven have been recovered,” said Zahid.

An investigating committee will be formed under the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to probe the matter under Section 79 of the Police Act 1967.

The result from the investigation will determine the appropriate action, to see if there is proof of negligence.

Zahid said a surcharge or disciplinary action, or both, could be taken against the officers responsible.

Earlier, Tian Chua had asked about the number of firearms lost from police inventory as well as the subsequent procedures and actions against errant policemen.

Zahid said, the police’s Information Technology Division was developing a system containing sub-modules to monitor and record cases of missing assets of the organisation, which was expected to be operational by November.

Meanwhile, when met by reporters at the Parliament lobby later, Tian Chua questioned the five causes and deemed it all as ‘negligence' and urged PDRM to take a more professional approach in issuing firearms.