KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — PKR today described Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s “shoot out” challenge on N. Surendran as “unprofessional and absurd”, and told the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to focus instead on addressing concerns over the force’s alleged “shoot first” policy when handling suspected criminals.

The party’s deputy president Azmin Ali said by telling Surendran to sign indemnity documents before joining the “shoot out”, the IGP was effectively ordering the lawmaker to sign his own death warrant.

“It is very disturbing,” the PKR politician wrote in a statement here. “Is the IGP asking N. Surendran to sign his own death-warrant?

“Why are the police so quick to absolve themselves of liability, although the IGP himself had made the offer to N. Surendran?” he asked.

Azmin added that his party never disputed the fact that law enforcement officers put themselves at risk when fighting crime or were unappreciative of their efforts.

“What we do dispute is any use of excessive force by police and the illegal, high-handed and criminal ‘shoot first’ policy,” he pointed out.

The effective and professional way to address these issues is by establishing the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to ensure errant personnel are properly dealt with, he added.

“Instead, the IGP issues an arrogant and outrageous challenge to an elected representative of the people.

“His behaviour is totally unbecoming that of the head of the Royal Malaysian Police Force and we must remind him that while the position comes with immense power, it also carries grave responsibilities,” Azmin said.

Khalid had extended the unexpected invitation last night to Surendran over micro-blogging site Twitter following the barrage of criticisms against the police force and the Home Ministry for purportedly abusing their enforcement powers by employing a “shoot first” policy when on the hunt for criminals.

“For a ‘skin feeling’ of what we face when confronted by armed criminals in our ops, we are offering YB Surendran to be with us.

“We will provide the  YB with a body armour.

“Provided the YB will sign an indemnity to absolve PDRM and the GOVT of any mishaps so that he can see and feel for himself,” the IGP wrote in a series of postings using his personal Twitter handle @KBAB51 last night.

Despite his party’s position on the matter, Surendran said today that he had immediately tweeted his acceptance to Khalid after he was notified of the invitation and was ready to take on the dangerous task.

Earlier yesterday, the IGP had joined Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in denying criticisms against the police for being trigger-happy, insisting members of his force open fire only in self defence.

“We are no cowboys, we don’t purposely take people’s life. We only shoot in defence of our own lives. Just to make you all safer. @PDRMsia,” Khalid wrote in one tweet.

“In a shootout, what choice is available for us. Faced with risks of being killed, we still take the risks. Just to make you safer@PDRMsia.”

Last Saturday, Ahmad Zahid had reportedly advocated a “shoot first” policy for the police when dealing with suspected gang members in the wake of a violent crime spree that has resulted in Malays purportedly making up the majority of the victims.

“I think the best way is that we no longer compromise with them. There is no need to give them any more warning. If (we) get the evidence, (we) shoot first,” he was quoted as saying by news portal Malaysiakini based on a recording from a security forum in Malacca.

On Tuesday, Ahmad Zahid took to Twitter in an apparent defence of the remark, slamming his critics for failing to consider the rights of police officers and victims of crime, especially those killed.

“Mana hak asasi utk Polis dan mangsa rompak, tembak dan bunuh. Kenapa pejuang hak asasi tidakpun membela? Hak asasi hanya utk penjenayah?” he tweeted in Malay.

[Translation: “Where are human rights for the police and victims of robbery, shooting and murder. Why are human rights activists not defending? Human rights only for criminals?”]

The “shoot first” remark has drawn a barrage of criticism from rights groups, lawyers, and lawmakers who accused Ahmad Zahid of, among others, sanctioning the unlawful use of deadly force by the police when dealing with suspected criminals.