'Gov't yet to answer Zahid's shoot first remark'

PKR vice-president N Surendran said today his participation in a police operation does not automatically let the Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi off the hook for his outrageous 'shoot first' remark.

Calling the invitation from Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, made through a tweet last week, as "an illogical response," Surendran said he accepted the offer in good faith. 

"It was a knee-jerk response to legitimate criticism, but I have accepted it in good faith," he said in a statement today. 

In response to Surendran's criticisms, Khalid challenged him to observe a police shoot-out operation.

"However, the IGP's invite does not answer my criticism of the home minister's "shoot first" policy and the increasing cases of fatal police shootings. The public still awaits reasonable answers and explanations from the IGP and the government," Surendran added 

On Monday, Surendran pointed out that 10 criminals have been shot dead over a three-day period, barely a week after Zahid made his remark that the police can go ahead and shoot first with the right evidence in hand, for the sake of police and public safety. 

The lawyer and MP for Padang Serai reiterated that he called for the government to uphold the safety of all Malaysians and the 'right to life' as stated in the federal constitution, which cannot be compromised.

"Irrespective of my participation in this operation or its outcome, the Home Ministry and police top brass must end unlawful and indiscriminate shootings of suspects," Surendran said.

Even as he prepares to go ahead with the challenge to have a "skin feeling" of the police operation, Surendran added he has been bombarded with messages on his Twitter account expressing concerns over his safety and urging him not to attend the event with the police.