I refer to the statement on Friday at a ‘security briefing’ by Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that suspected criminals are to be shot without warning. This unprecedented admission by the Home Minister is a shock to the nation. It is nothing short of Ministerial endorsement of extra-judicial killings by the police; it is incitement and approval of cold-blooded murder by the police force. Zahid’s statement gives new foundation to the opposition’s and civil society’s long-standing complaint that the police have been shooting to kill in many cases.
Shooting to kill suspects without warning amounts to murder under section 302 of the Penal Code. Zahid and police top brass may now be guilty of abetment and criminal conspiracy to commit murder or culpable homicide; the offences of criminal conspiracy and abetment are punishable under sections 120A and 107 of the Penal Code. In short, the Minister is instigating the police to concert and plan criminal acts, with the endorsement of the Home Ministry.
The shooting to kill of suspects without warning is also in complete breach of Malaysia’s obligations under international law. The Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly states that use of firearms is an ‘extreme measure’ and should not be resorted to unless the suspected offender ‘ jeopardizes the lives of others’. Instead of adhering to this internationally approved code of conduct, Zahid is inciting the police to be trigger-happy when confronting suspects.
All Malaysians are put in grave danger by this unlawful ‘shoot-to-kill’ method of law enforcement. In light of Zahid’s statement, all previous cases of fatal shootings by police must be re-opened. In view of the seriousness of the matter, which involves the lives of ordinary Malaysians, we call for the immediate formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry. An independent, and urgent police investigation must also be commenced into Zahid’s statement, which is in clear breach of the law.
N SURENDRAN
MP PADANG SERAI
