Management to be improved

> Task force set up as immediate measure

MALACCA: The weapons management system of some agencies under the Home Ministry will be monitored and tightened to prevent weapons from going missing.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed (pix) said among the agencies involved were the police, Rela, Road Transport Department and Royal Customs Department.

According to him, police had their own strict standard operating procedure (SOP).

Nur Jazlan said this to reporters after officiating at the Home Ministry’s Open Day in Ayer Keroh here yesterday when asked about the 26 shotguns reported missing from the Rela inventory in Selama, Perak recently.

“So I feel there is no problem with police, however, it could be for other security agencies.

“As such, the Home Ministry will ensure their SOPs will be tightened to account for all weapons issued to the agencies,” he said.

He added that he did not rule out the possibility of the missing weapons being linked to terrorists.

Meanwhile, at the same event, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government has set up a special task force to implement a number of immediate measures to improve the firearms management of the Rela, said Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahamd Zahid, who is also home minister, said through this task force, the Rela weaponry secretariat would be implementing new standards that must be adhered to by Rela officers and members in the use of its firearms.

“Action that needs to be undertaken includes implementing the existing firearms management manual. All directives issued by the Rela director-general must also be enforced immediately. “We have set up a firearms inspectorate team at the Rela office, done overall checks on firearms and improved the procedures for taking out of the firearms,” he told reporters.

Also present were Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron. – Bernama