SHAH ALAM, 7 Nov: Like situations in foreign countries that we often watch on television, the society is suddenly shocked with incident after incident of shooting since April.
The latest, a banker, Norazita Abu Talib, was shot dead by an Indonesian security guard when opening the bank vault at the USJ2 Ambank on 23 October.
The incident is among several cases reported by the mass media, making the people restless and on edge about the level of security in Malaysia.
What’s more disturbing is that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) confirmed that Selangor recorded the highest index of shooting compared to other states, with 15 cases from January to August.
It’s Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, also acknowledged that geographical boarder factors, such as between Malaysia and Thailand, is the cause of firearms smuggling activities to further contribute to the increase in criminal cases.
Lecturer, Ahmad Isa, 55, said that the shooting cases happening is a very sad matter, especially when Malaysia is about to step forward to the level of a developed country.
He said that the community has to live in fear and caution because they are afraid that they would be targeted next by criminals.
He said that the phenomenon occurring clearly shows that anyone can own a firearm (free for everyone) without restrictions from the authorities.
“I think that everyone will live in fear when we see crime happening so frequently, especially in Selangor. Drastic action should be taken by the government and the authorities so that it can be resolved from the start because crimes involving firearms are getting more serious.
“I do not want future generations to live this way. Now is the time for the MOHA to take serious action so that Malaysia becomes peaceful again,” he told the Selangor Kini portal recently.
Marketing Assistant, Mohd Alitaha Jamal, 31, claimed that poor enforcement by the Malaysian Government has encouraged criminals to work beyond the limits, endangering the lives of innocent people.
He said that the police and the MOHA cannot be complacent on the matter and urged to tighten existing laws, in addition to finding out the real cause so that crimes involving firearms can be resolved.
“Human life is likened to that of mosquitoes, immediate death when hit. Firearms are so easily available, making the people wonder what the Malaysian authorities are doing in Thailand. If there is no smuggling of weapons, such incidents will not happen.
Vendor, Zamri Kassim, 50, is of the opinion that the safety of the people is at the tip of a horn because they are at risk of being randomly shot because firearms are easily accessible.
Zamri said that he also does not rule out the possibility that such crime is a shortcut used by criminals to get simple pleasure.
“National security is getting worse and this is because previously, the Government gave identification cards at random, especially to foreigners. I also do not rule out the possibility that this factor is due to the burden of the standard of living and crime is a shortcut to make it easier,” he said.
