Home Ministry goes after errant security companies

The Home Ministry on Monday warned that it would revoke the licence of security companies which commit offences such as selling or leasing the company or allowing others to use their firearms without authorisation.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he had instructed the ministry's secretary-general not to compromise with the offenders.

"I will not compromise if they have committed an offence, regardless of whether the company is owned by politicians or non-politicians, corporate personalities or otherwise," he said at the monthly assembly of the ministry, here.

Ahmad Zahid said the ministry was scrutinising 125 of the total 772 companies to determine whether they had committed any offence.

"Our country has been shocked by crime committed by security guards, even to the extent of committing murders," he said.

On the 'Ops Cantas Khas' against crime that began on Aug 17, Ahmad Zahid said up to Dec 3, a total of 36,725 suspects were detained after 1.1 million people had been screened.

A total of 1,080 firearms and 1,559 vehicles were also seized, he added.

He said the operation would not be terminated so long as the people were not satisfied that the crime rate had dropped to a level where they could go about their daily activities without fear.

Ahmad Zahid also said up to Dec 3, the Immigration Department had detained 14,710 illegal immigrants and 182 employers under the 6P integrated operation that began on Sept 1 and involved 1,851 operations.

"As for the 6P integrated operation against illegal security guards, 368 illegal immigrants and 15 employers were arrested under 94 operations," he said.