Police identify suspects in murder cases involving firearms

"It's a matter of time before we close the cases. We understand the public's worries and anxiety over rampant shooting and murder cases involving firearms of late.

"Each case has its own background. We are not dealing with mad people with guns who will shoot people at their whims and fancies," he told reporters after calling on Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir here, today.

In this regard, Khalid urged the people to remain unperturbed over claims that the country is no longer safe following murders involving firearms.

"There were reasons why these shooting cases occurred. It looked like there is a gunrunning racket in our country. We closely monitor this situation and we will take appropriate measures.

"The perception is that a lot of guns made their way into the country due to many shooting cases occurring of late. We hope that the public will be patient, give us time to make deeper investigations. I am confident that we can overcome the quagmire," he said.

Expressing his disappointment over unfair remarks made by certain quarters against the police over the rise in shooting cases, he said:

"Our responsibility is to ensure that there will be action and an interrogation after a crime and to prevent it from happening again. It is easy to make police the scapegoat.

"I think the police have always been targeted by certain quarters who are not satisfied with our actions.

"If we were to enforce the law very rigidly, they will not be happy. If we do not enforce the law they will also not be happy. They will use any circumstances to harp on the police. Tak usah menangguk di air yang keruh (don't take advantage when someone is in difficulty)."