KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — Flooding the market with guns by arming Islamic enforcement officers amid the ongoing string of shootings would only endanger the public, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers warned authorities today as they weighed in on the issue.

PKR’s Padang Serai MP N. Surendran stressed that even within the police force, usage of firearms should be limited to “very pressing and extreme circumstances”, pointing out that most police officers on the beat in the UK do not carry guns.

“Carrying of firearms can lead to dangerous situations, even if carried by the police force,” Surendran told The Malay Mail Online today.

“It’s a habit and method that is best avoided. To extend it to religious officers now is absurd,” added the PKR vice-president.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was reported by Malay-language daily Berita Harian as saying yesterday that the police has no problems with issuing firearm licenses to state religious officers, as long as they are frequently faced with life-threatening risks.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom had made the proposal to arm religious enforcement officers, following the fatal shooting of Pahang Islamic Religious Department (Jaip) chief Ahmad Rafli Abdul Malek at home on November 10.

Surendran, however, pointed out that Islamic Development Department (Jakim) officers are not responsible for arresting dangerous criminals like drug traffickers, armed robbers, or murderers, but only for religious offences like “khalwat” (close proximity).

“They need firearms to apprehend a couple who are caught in a hotel room?” Surendran questioned.

“Religious officers are not trained in using firearms. It’ll lead to serious danger in the public...Even with the police, there are too many instances of police officers discharging firearms wrongfully, injuring or killing people, what more if religious officers are given firearms,” he added.

Several controversial police shootings have occurred in the past, such as the killing of teenager Aminulrasyid Amzah in 2010, while the Home Ministry said in a Parliamentary reply on September 24 that the police had fatally shot 124 Malaysian criminals from 2009 to August this year, which amounts to about two shootings a month.

PAS’ Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar said that Rafli’s shooting revealed the police’s failure in tackling crime and catching criminals, amid a recent wave of shootings that have claimed several lives, including that of Arab-Malaysian Development Bank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi in August.

“The issue is not about enforcers needing pistols. Even with guns, will they be safe? No,” Mahfuz told The Malay Mail Online today.

“The important issue that the IGP needs to look at is enhancing the skills of the police in apprehending criminals...if people sneak up on you and shoot you, giving firearms does not solve the problem,” added the PAS vice-president.

DAP publicity chief Tony Pua pointed out that the IGP has twice rejected the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) proposals to arm auxiliary police to fight crime.

“The IGP has expected the local council enforcement officers to assist in patrolling our streets to fight crime unarmed,” Pua told The Malay Mail Online.

“And now the IGP is saying that the moral police should be armed to enforce religious laws in this country? It must be asked to the IGP where his priorities are. With the above mindset and priorities, it is no wonder crime remains rampant in the cities and the people are living in fear,” added the Petaling Jaya Utara MP.

Teresa Kok, DAP’s crime action taskforce chief, echoed Surendran’s concerns about arming the country’s religious police.

“I disagree with the idea to arm religious officers because public safety is at risk when overzealous officers carry out raids,” Kok told The Malay Mail Online.

“When carrying out raids which may face targets who are armed, joint raids with the police can be done,” added the Seputeh MP.