44 firearms missing? DAP says police must reveal who lost them

If the spate of violent firearms-related crimes around the peninsula a couple of months ago had the public wondering where all the firearms were coming from, the police might have an answer, DAP vice-chair Teresa Kok has alleged.

She said this today after the Royal Malaysia Police were criticised by the Auditor-General in the 2012 report for the wayward manner in which they managed their assets. Police lost equipment worth RM1.3 million between 2010 and last year, which included 44 firearms and 29 vehicles, the report revealed.

Kok wondered how the police had managed to lose 44 firearms. She said they should get their own house in order first before trying to railroad the Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) Bill through Parliament.

"It’s a lot of guns, Have police identified who is responsible for the firearms going missing from their inventory? Has any disciplinary action been taken against these negligent policemen who were derelict in the line of duty," said Kok who is the DAP crime action taskforce chair as well.

The police have to explain what type of guns went missing, she said.

The Seputeh MP added that those policemen who had been negligent should not only be sacked, but also prosecuted in court if the missing firearms had been used by criminals to commit crimes, including murder.

She said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar should take a good look at the weaknesses in the police system.

"The police have said that the PCA amendments are targeted at gangsters and secret societies. But have they bothered to stop and look at themselves in the mirror? What about the weaknesses in the police force?" Kok said.

The Auditor-General Report 2012 tabled today highlighted police personnel being late in reporting the missing items to department heads. Another weakness highlighted was that police took their own sweet time to follow up on the missing items, including the firearms.