IGP: Only 26 shotguns belonging to Rela missing

Earlier, 44 guns were said to be missing after an audit.

MALACCA: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has confirmed that only 26 shotguns belonging to the Volunteer Department of Malaysia (Rela) were missing early this month after rechecking.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said 12 people, including a Rela member, aged between 40 and 60 years, suspected to be involved in the sale of Rela firearms were arrested in the northern part of the peninsula.

“I affirm that only 26 shotguns are missing although initially 44 were reported missing.

“Of the 26, 11 have been found and we have detained 12
individuals.

“We will make more arrests in Selangor to track down the 15 missing shotguns.

“We know who are having the firearms and we advise them to return the firearms immediately to the police,” he told reporters after launching the home ministry’s Open Day in Ayer Keroh, here, today.

The ceremony, launched by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was also attended by Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron.

Elaborating, Khalid said stern action would be taken against the individuals who are still in possession of the firearms but the form of punishment against them would be considered if the firearms are returned before their arrest.

Yesterday, newspapers reported that six people were detained by police in Kedah and Perak after they were alleged to have been involved in the sale and purchase of 44 firearms belonging to Selama, Perak Rela, which were discovered missing early this month.

The activity was uncovered after the Government Agency Firearms Licence Enforcement Unit, Inspector-General of Police Secretariat (Firearms Licence), Bukit Aman, conducted an inspection and audit at the Northern Region (PLRWU) Rela Training Centre in Sungai Petani, Kedah.

Meanwhile, Khalid said the police would run comprehensive checks at all government agencies licensed to use firearms to detect any abuse or firearms sales activity.

Earlier, Zahid, who is home minister, said the government had set up a special task force to implement a number of immediate measures to improve Rela firearms management.

With this task force, the Rela weaponry secretariat would be implementing new standards that must be adhered to by Rela officers and members in the use of its firearms.

“He have also set up a firearms inspectorate team at the Malaysia Rela office, done overall checks on the firearms and improved the procedure in the taking out of firearms.”

He said the post of Armoury Unit officer would be created to safeguard and manage all matters pertaining to Rela’s firearms in a more efficient and transparent manner.

On another matter, Zahid said stern action would be taken against an Immigration officer if it was true that he had raped a female Thai detainee at the Immigration Detention Depot in Machap Umboo, Alor Gajah, Malacca, two weeks ago, as alleged.

“We want to return a positive perception of the Immigration Department and other enforcement agencies.

“We have never protected anyone involved in such acts and we hope the (stern) action give us a high level of public trust,” he said. -FMT