Why I accepted the IGP’s ‘shoot-out’ invite

The police chief's challenge to me to observe operations was a knee-jerk response to legitimate criticism, but I have accepted it in good faith.

By N Surendran

I would like to thank everyone from all over the country who have expressed their views on the IGP’s ‘shootout’ invitation to me.

Many have expressed strong reservations on my participation in such a police operation and their concerns for my safety.

The IGP’s invite to me on Friday night was a result of my condemnation of the Home Minister’s outrageous call for a “shoot-first” policy, and the defence by the police top brass of that statement.

For a long time it has been a standard and defensive response of the government and police leadership that those who question police actions do not appreciate the dangers faced by police personnel who deal with armed suspects.

Needless to say this is an illogical response.

We have never said that police personnel do not face danger in carrying out their tasks; but we make no apologies for criticising unlawful and criminal conduct by any police personnel in their contact with suspects.

In response to my criticisms, the IGP challenged me to observe operations. It was a knee-jerk response to legitimate criticism, but I have accepted it in good faith.

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.

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

The safety of all Malaysians is at stake here, and the ‘right to life’ promised under the Constitution cannot be compromised.

The writer is PKR’s vice president and the MP for Padang Serai.