http://www.irna.com/newshtm/eng/02135801.htm

thr 009 Malaysia-Police /WRD/

Average of 1.3 persons shot dead in Malaysia by police a week

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 24, IRNA -- An average of 1.3 persons are shot dead by the police in Malaysia every week, according to a memorandum handed to the Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Friday.

The statistic is based on a statement made by the home ministry that in the past 10 years, a total of 635 people were killed as a result of being shot by the police, out of which 355 were locals.

The ministry said that the police could only open fire if their lives were in danger in order to protect themselves.

The memorandum, which detailed deaths caused by rampant police shooting, called for a Royal Commission to examine the issue.

The extensively researched memorandum was prepared by the Police Watch and Human Rights Committee of Parti Reformasi Insan Malaysia (Prim), and copies have also been handed to the Malaysian Police Chief Inspector-General (IGP) Norian Mai, the Home Ministry and Minister in charge of law Dr Rais Yatim.

In addition, the memorandum, titled Illegal, Unlawful, Ruthless and Brutal Death by Police Shooting, have also been given to the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), the Bar Council, all opposition parties and a host of non-governmental organizations.

Chairman of the committee RN Rajah, who signed the memorandum, said the objective was to "highlight the alarming and increasing reported incidence of death caused by police shooting".

It also said it believed there were "hundreds of other cases which are not reported", adding that all the facts and circumstances of such shootings are controlled by the police.

The police are blatantly and ruthlessly continuing to be trigger-happy despite many protests organized from time to time by various human rights organizations and NGOs, the memorandum added.

It also said the IGP must ensure that there are adequate checks against fatal shootings of suspects, and that the home affairs ministry must issue more directives accordingly.

It proposed that police efficiency and professionalism should be improved by re-training all policemen and making them go through a written examination before any promotion.