By Teoh El Sen - Free Malaysia TodayPETALING JAYA: The police are a “trigger happy” lot and shoot at the slightest opportunity, according to statistics revealed by a local human's right group.
Testimony by a Bukit Aman police offficer at P Uthayakumar's sedition trial today, showed that in 2008, there were 82 fatal shootings and 88 in 2009, said Lawyers for Liberty.
"It is even more shocking when compared to previous years: In 2000 there were nine deaths; 2001 (5); 2002 (27); 2003 (17); 2004 (13); 2005 (9); 2006 (16) and 2007 (13)," said the group.
This would mean fatal shootings in 2008-09 saw a 17-fold increase compared with five deaths in 2001, said the group.
"We can conclude that the police are trigger happy and will shoot at the slightest opportunity in breach of the laws, regulations and the IGP's Standing Orders (IGSO)."
Lawyers for Liberty also claimed that the police had thus far been unable to prove or justify these shootings.
"There has been a spike in the number of unjustifiable and unlawful shootings of innumerable persons, apparently for fleeing from the police or plainclothes police personnel when confronted, even for minor offences.
"The police invariably claimed that they were 'attacked' and retaliated only in self defence even though there is no evidence to back up their claims," said Lawyers for Liberty.
It also said senior police officers and government officials usually “blindly” defended the police without looking at the possibility they might have been to quick to discharge their firearms.
"What has become of the Home Ministry’s special panel formed in the aftermath of Aminulrasyid Amzah’s shooting?" asked the group.
"Apparently nothing. The panel reportedly recommended that the current IGSO be improved. It looks to be just another public relations stunt."
Crisis of confidence
Citing the recent shooting deaths of Mohd Shamil Hafiz Shafie, 16, Mohd Khairul Nizam Tuah, 20, and Mohd Hanafi Omar, it said more and more people were gunned down while the government and the police remain mute to mounting public concerns.
"Acting Selangor police chief A Thaiveegan made the incredible claim that these young men were 'seasoned criminals' and they were part of a gang known as 'Geng Minyak' and alleged that the suspects rushed at the police with machetes.
"He also claimed that the police shot in self defence when it was more probable that they were killed in cold blood by the police," said the group.
Lawyers for Liberty called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be formed immediately to investigate the shocking rise of fatal police shootings in recent years.
It also urged that the Independent Police Complaints and Misconducts Commission be formed and the police undergo drastic reforms consistent with international policing standards and procedures
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