By Fadhal A. Ghani
KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of PoliceTan Sri Musa Hassan hit out
at politicians who have been criticising police over the shooting of a
schoolboy on Monday.
at politicians who have been criticising police over the shooting of a
schoolboy on Monday.
In a rare outburst, Musa said police were not biased in this matter but pointed out his men could not tell if the driver of the car was an adult or a teenager as it was dark.
“As a rule of engagement, policemen are trained to use their firearms in self-defence but it also depends on the situation.
“A weapon does not mean a gun, knife or parang. A speeding vehicle which can be used to plough into policemen is also a dangerous weapon. It can endanger the lives of enforcement officers and other road-users,” Musa said.
The IGP also questioned if it was okay for culprits to do whatever they wanted while police simply sat back and did nothing.
“If people do not want the law to be enforced, then I shall instruct my men to refrain from stopping cars or from going after illegal racers,” he said after attending a blood donation drive in conjunction with the 203rd Police Day celebrations at the National Blood Bank yesterday.
“As a rule of engagement, policemen are trained to use their firearms in self-defence but it also depends on the situation.
“A weapon does not mean a gun, knife or parang. A speeding vehicle which can be used to plough into policemen is also a dangerous weapon. It can endanger the lives of enforcement officers and other road-users,” Musa said.
The IGP also questioned if it was okay for culprits to do whatever they wanted while police simply sat back and did nothing.
“If people do not want the law to be enforced, then I shall instruct my men to refrain from stopping cars or from going after illegal racers,” he said after attending a blood donation drive in conjunction with the 203rd Police Day celebrations at the National Blood Bank yesterday.
“The police will not compromise on public safety and security.
“The people should be more balanced in their views when commenting on this incident as the police were also doing their job.”
Musa was commenting on criticisms hurled against the police after the shooting of Aminulrasyid Amzah, 15, early on Monday. Four policemen have been re-assigned to desk duties pending investigations.
The investigations are being monitored by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop. Musa urged the public not to speculate on the case, assuring them that a thorough investigation was being carried out.
“The investigations are fair and transparent,” he added.
The investigation papers are expected to be handed over to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further instructions today.
As a parting shot, Musa advised those who were stopped by police not to try and escape as it would only cause further suspicion and lead to unwanted incidents.
Aminulrasyid, who was driving his sister’s car, had allegedly tried to escape after grazing another vehicle in Section 7, Shah Alam.
Witnesses claimed Aminulrasyid and a schoolmate, were chased by a group of motorcyclists. Several patrol cars also joined in the chase.
“The people should be more balanced in their views when commenting on this incident as the police were also doing their job.”
Musa was commenting on criticisms hurled against the police after the shooting of Aminulrasyid Amzah, 15, early on Monday. Four policemen have been re-assigned to desk duties pending investigations.
The investigations are being monitored by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop. Musa urged the public not to speculate on the case, assuring them that a thorough investigation was being carried out.
“The investigations are fair and transparent,” he added.
The investigation papers are expected to be handed over to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further instructions today.
As a parting shot, Musa advised those who were stopped by police not to try and escape as it would only cause further suspicion and lead to unwanted incidents.
Aminulrasyid, who was driving his sister’s car, had allegedly tried to escape after grazing another vehicle in Section 7, Shah Alam.
Witnesses claimed Aminulrasyid and a schoolmate, were chased by a group of motorcyclists. Several patrol cars also joined in the chase.
Several shots were fired by police at Aminulrasyid’s car tyres to force him to stop. One bullet, however, hit the schoolboy in the back of his head. He was killed instantly, while his friend, who was in the front passenger seat, escaped on foot.
The incident occurred some 100 metres from the victim’s home in Section 11/2G, in Shah Alam.
The schoolmate, it was learnt, ran back home and later attended Aminulrasyid’s funeral. It was at the funeral that he was pointed out to police who urged him to lodge a police report.
The victim, a student of SMK Section 9, in Shah Alam, is also the youngest of eight children.
Police had earlier claimed that they found a parang in the victim ’s car but allegations that Aminulrasyid could have been involved in illegal activities were roundly rejected by his family, teachers and schoolmates.
Politicians had joined in the furore, demanding that police clear the schoolboy’s name if investigations revealed that the only crime he had committed was driving without a licence.
The schoolmate, it was learnt, ran back home and later attended Aminulrasyid’s funeral. It was at the funeral that he was pointed out to police who urged him to lodge a police report.
The victim, a student of SMK Section 9, in Shah Alam, is also the youngest of eight children.
Police had earlier claimed that they found a parang in the victim ’s car but allegations that Aminulrasyid could have been involved in illegal activities were roundly rejected by his family, teachers and schoolmates.
Politicians had joined in the furore, demanding that police clear the schoolboy’s name if investigations revealed that the only crime he had committed was driving without a licence.
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