Some of the 44 firearms which the police lost between 2010 and 2012 were the result of police personnel being mugged or having lost it when answering the call of nature.
This is among the five reasons how police personnel lost those firearms, according to Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's written reply to Batu MP Tian Chua.
The other three reasons are that the weapons were mislaid in the office, that the weapons were stolen from a vehicle and that the weapons were dropped in the course of duty.
Of the 44 weapons, Zahid said seven have been recovered.
This is among the five reasons how police personnel lost those firearms, according to Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's written reply to Batu MP Tian Chua.
The other three reasons are that the weapons were mislaid in the office, that the weapons were stolen from a vehicle and that the weapons were dropped in the course of duty.
Of the 44 weapons, Zahid said seven have been recovered.
Chua had enquired for details on the necessary procedures when weapons go missing, action to be taken against police personnel who loses their weapons, a full list of weapons lost over the past five years and a breakdown of the cost involved.
Zahid's reply did not specify the cost involved and merely stated that the weapons were all light firearms - pistols and revolvers.
"The value of the weapons vary based on make and country of origin," he said.
Zahid's reply did not specify the cost involved and merely stated that the weapons were all light firearms - pistols and revolvers.
"The value of the weapons vary based on make and country of origin," he said.
New system to monitor assets
On the procedures, Zahid said the police have an investigation committee established under Section 79 of the Police Act 1967 to investigate police personnel who lose their weapons.
"The results of the investigations and recommendations will be assessed to decide on the appropriate action.
"If there is evidence of negligence, the police personnel responsible can be penalised with a surcharge or disciplinary action, or both," he said.
Zahid said the police's information technology department is establishing a new system to monitor missing police assets.
He said the system is expected to go live by next month and it will help the police management to be notified of such incidents.
On the procedures, Zahid said the police have an investigation committee established under Section 79 of the Police Act 1967 to investigate police personnel who lose their weapons.
"The results of the investigations and recommendations will be assessed to decide on the appropriate action.
"If there is evidence of negligence, the police personnel responsible can be penalised with a surcharge or disciplinary action, or both," he said.
Zahid said the police's information technology department is establishing a new system to monitor missing police assets.
He said the system is expected to go live by next month and it will help the police management to be notified of such incidents.
Zahid's written reply did not mention the "lost at sea" theory previously offered by inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.
The missing weapons were made public by the Auditor-General's Report 2012.
Chua: It's unsatisfactory
Speaking to reporters later, Chua expressed dissatisfaction with the many ambiguities in Zahid's reply.
"What does he mean by 'lost in the office'? Was the office compromised? Was it stolen by police personnel? We don't know.
"What does he mean by 'lost in the toilet'? Does it mean that a police personnel went to the toilet and left his weapon there, only to find it gone when he returns?
"What is clear, unlike what the IGP claims, is that none dropped into the sea," he said.
Chua said all the explanations offered by Zahid were untenable and the lackadaisical attitude shown in this instance does not justify the police's recent demands for more authority from Parliament.
"What does he mean by 'lost in the office'? Was the office compromised? Was it stolen by police personnel? We don't know.
"What does he mean by 'lost in the toilet'? Does it mean that a police personnel went to the toilet and left his weapon there, only to find it gone when he returns?
"What is clear, unlike what the IGP claims, is that none dropped into the sea," he said.
Chua said all the explanations offered by Zahid were untenable and the lackadaisical attitude shown in this instance does not justify the police's recent demands for more authority from Parliament.
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