Police willing to consider firearm for religious enforcement officers

The police are prepared to consider applications for firearms for enforcement officers, including from religious department, who are involved in critical and high-risk jobs.

Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Crime Prevention and Eradication Department director Datuk Ayub Yaakob said their applications would not be rejected if there was a need for them to be equipped with firearms, but they had to conform to the stipulated procedures.

"We understand their job as enforcement officers, always at risk. It cannot be denied that tools for self-defence, like firearms, are necessary although they are not the only way (for self-defence)," he said when contacted by Bernama Wednesday.

He said this when asked to comment on a suggestion by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom for religious enforcement officers to be equipped with firearms when they were to conduct operations.

The suggestion was made following the murder of Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) enforcement head Ahmad Raffli Abdul Malik, 49, who was shot dead in his house in Indera Mahkota 2 here last Sunday.

Ahmad Raffli was shot thrice and died instantly in the 2pm incident.

Ayub said in several operations by the religious department, the officers were accompanied by armed policemen to prevent any untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the Home Ministry should study from all aspects on the proposal for religious enforcement officers to be equipped with firearms.

The media adviser for the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association, Tuan Asmawi Tuan Umar, said the association welcome the proposal, but suggested the government to consider several matters before doing so.