Police deny being "trigger-happy"

Police today denied they were "trigger-happy" when confronting suspected criminals.

Federal police (Bukit Aman) CID director Datuk Hadi Ho Abdullah stressed that the police always followed standard operating procedures (SOPs) when carrying out their duty and that firearms were only discharged when the situation warranted.

He said policemen had the right to defend themselves in a dangerous situation, especially when faced with suspects who carried guns.

"We have very strict SOPs, especially in the usage of firearms. If criminals fire at police, definitely the policemen would not be standing idly by... they have to save themselves by shooting them," he told a press conference here today.

Also present was Malaysian Hindu Sangam president Datuk R.S Mohan Shan.

Ho was responding to reports in a news portal over the last few days which had alleged that Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi, at a closed-door briefing on security matters with community leaders in Malacca on Saturday, had alluded to the fact that it was better for police to shoot serious crimes suspects first if they had evidence on them.

He said in his 40 years with the police force, he had never received or heard any order to "shoot first, ask questions later".

He added that if any policeman was found to have violated SOPs on discharging firearms, that policeman would be charged in court.

Earlier, Ho and Mohan Shan had held discussions to find ways to prevent Indian youths from getting involved in crime.

Ho said the police would hold joint programmes with the association, including holding talks at temples, for the purpose.