Malaysian police promise stern action over gang graffiti

Malaysian police promise stern action over gang graffiti

MALAYSIA - The Malaysian police are on the offensive after graffiti was discovered on the walls of two police compounds.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said on Wednesday that the force would not be made fun of or challenged, The Star reported. He said: "No criminal can win against the police. We will use the full extent of the law to hunt down and bring all criminals to justice."

This statement came after the number "04", the swastika symbol and characters "R.I.P" (rest in peace) were found on the walls of the police headquarters and a police post in the Selangor district of Kuala Langat.

Ten other locations in the district were vandalised in the same manner.

Mr Khalid said: "We have identified those responsible for the graffiti and we will take action." Local police are also promising tough action against the vandals.

Said Selangor acting police chief Datuk A. Thaiveegan on Wednesday : "I don't think that (graffiti) was meant to be a threat. It was carried out... with no respect for the law. "If that was a challenge, that's not the way to do it."

He challenged the suspects to face up to the police if they really want to show their bravery, The Star reported.

The acts of vandalism come after five alleged "Gang 04" members were killed during a shoot-out with police in Penang on Monday.

Controversial

The controversial incident has been criticised by family members and friends of the five dead men, with some politicians joining in the fray to censure the police for acting "overzealously", The Star reported.

Mr Thaiveegan advised parents to keep their children in line. "Some parents don't even know what their kids are doing," he said.

"They don't come forward and cooperate. But when a confrontation with the police takes place, everyone shouts and create problems. "This last month, people who have been complaining about shootings are asking what are the police doing. "So when we take action against suspects, people should support the police. "We are doing this to protect the community."

Mr Khalid also denied that police officers had a "shoot-to-kill" policy, in reference to Monday's shoot-out.

"There is no such policy of 'shoot-to-kill'. Who told you there is a 'shoot-to-kill' policy? We only shoot to defend ourselves," Malaysian Insider quoted him as saying.

He also blasted critics who said officers are being overzealous when criminals are shot dead.

"We don't care, we have a duty to carry out, and we will carry it out to ensure that Malaysians are safe," the police chief said.


Get The New Paper for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.