Clear SOP needed for ‘shoot on sight’ order

PM Najib Razak has said that while tougher action must be taken, there must be a clear SOP as to the request of shooting (on sight) before the government could approve it.

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has asked security forces to submit a clearer standard operating procedure (SOP) on their request for the government to give them ‘shoot on sight’ authority against intruding gunmen in Sabah waters.

He said the government wanted a clearer SOP and guidelines to rule out varying interpretations.

Chief of Navy Abdul Aziz Jaafar had sought the ‘shoot on sight’ authority from the government following an ambush by foreign gunmen on Pulau Mabul last Saturday resulting in the death of a policeman and the abduction of another.

Najib said the government felt that stern action was necessary in incidents of such a nature but that the SOP must be clear to prevent anything undesirable from happening.

“The absence of a clear direction and guidance can lead to something undesirable and innocent people can become victims,” he told a press conference at his official residence, Seri Perdana.

In this instance, Najib requested that security forces, such as the police and military, submit the SOP to obtain government approval.

“The SOP will be approved by the government for whatever additional steps need to be there. Otherwise, it will lead to a lot of misunderstanding, confusion and misinterpretation on the ground and something bad could happen,” he said.

Najib said he understood that incidents such as that which occurred on Pulau Mabul were serious and there was a need to consider additional and tougher measures.

“I agree that tougher action has to be taken. However, if we were to approve shooting (on sight), we must have an SOP as to when that can be executed.

“It must be very clear because you are talking about ordinary soldiers and policemen on the ground and they must understand in what situation they can shoot, otherwise innocent people can get killed,” he said. - Bernama