Smuggled weapons used in criminal case

Most firearms used in criminal cases are smuggled into the country.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Abu Seman Yusop told Dewan Rakyat today that more joint operations are being conducted at borders throughout the country to curb the problem.

He said this in response to a question from Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) on plans by the ministry to address the issue of illegal possession of firearms following an increase of murder and robbery cases involving firearms.

Abu Seman said the police are working together with agencies such as the Anti-Smuggling Unit , Customs Department, Martime Enforcement Agency and the Armed Forces to increase the security at borders to prevent potential syndicates from smuggling in firearms.

Abu Seman said the authorities had seized 137 firearms in 2010, 150 in 2011 and 163 firerams so far this year

The police he said are also collaborating with agencies outside the country to gather information and intelligence on the issue.

To another question by Tiong as to whether the ministry had conducted any special operation to overcome illegal firearms smuggling, Abu Seman said the police have thus far carried out two special operations dubbed ‘Ops Laras’ and ‘Ops Api’.

“Ops Laras is conducted by the Special Forces to prevent firearms smuggling at the borders while Ops Api is conducted by the police and it involves the use of firearms in criminal cases."

Cases involving the use on firearms have been on the rise lately. Last week, a senior citizen was shot by an unknown assailant in front of his house in Taman Desa while in August two bouncers were shot dead while four patrons were injured during a shooting outside a club at the Heritage Rown in Jalan Doraisamy.

A security firm owner was also shot dead while his wife was seriously injured when two gunmen shot the couple outside a school in Selayang in August.