KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 ― The local demand for armed bodyguards has gone up amid a recent series of shootings and other violent incidents in the country.

Security Services Association of Malaysia president Datuk Seri Mustapa Ali said security firms are expected to train civilians to cope with the demand for bodyguards.

"The use of former police and special forces personnel as armed bodyguards is no longer enough to cater to the demand.

"We have had several meetings with the police and Home Ministry to discuss the training of civilians as armed bodyguards,” he was quoted saying by The Star newspaper today.

He reportedly said the civilians' training is slated to start after Hari Raya celebrations, with a two-week crash course with the police is required before candidates are allowed to handle firearms.

Those who hire armed bodyguards from security firms have to pay a range of RM8,000 to RM10,000 per month, he said.

There have been several shootings this year, with the latest being the July 6 fatal shooting of a real estate agent in the Taman OUG suburb here.

On June 29, a man survived six gunshots from unidentified motorcyclists at KM3.5 of the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban highway.

On June 21, two motorists were injured when they were shot at the traffic lights intersection of the main road with Sunway Batu Caves.

Eight days later, the suspected perpetrator was shot dead at USJ 11, Subang Jaya by the police who were said to be acting in self-defence.

Miri PKR branch secretary Bill Kayong was shot dead on June 21 by an unidentified person at a traffic light junction in his Sarawak hometown.

On June 15, a businessman died after being hit by six out of 10 shots fired by an unidentified motorcyclist at the Sungai Rasau toll plaza in Selangor.

On April 15, two men were shot dead in Sabah after eight shots were fired into the vehicle they were in.