KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 ― Authorities must explain the rise in shooting incidents over the past few weeks despite the government spending almost RM8 billion to heighten enforcement, a PKR MP said today.

PKR's Sim Tze Tzin questioned whether this was the failure of the country’s border patrol, and demanded the police explain how people could have easily gained access to guns and drugs.

."How could anyone gain access to illegal gun and drugs so easily? Has our border control failed miserably that illegal guns are now easily available?” Sim asked in a statement.

"Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi bulldozed the Prevention of Crime Act that allowed detention without trial for two years and promised to effectively eradicate illegal drugs trafficking, triad gangs and organised crime.

"However, since 2013, illegal drugs and guns have gone out of control,” he added.

Sim, who is also PKR's strategic director, then called for Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to respond to his questions.

He pointed out that RM678 million was spent for crime investigation and RM269 million was given to the police to combat drug-related cases.

"The police are well-funded and well equipped...there is no reason for such tremendous failures," he said, referring to several homicides in the recent weeks that involved guns.

Earlier today, a 32-year-old man had allegedly shot dead factory owner Toh Hock Choon, 50; his wife Tan Saw Sim, 55; Tan's son Chung Wah Thong; and Chung' two-year-old daughter in Jalan Batu Maung, Georgetown.

Last month, Sarawak PKR leader Bill Kayong, 43, was gunned down at a traffic intersection in Lutong, Miri. The police have, however, considered the case solved following the arrest of several suspects and recovery of the murder weapon.

Another shooting case that occurred last week involved a real estate agent Datin Wong Siu Ling, who was similarly shot dead in her car in Taman OUG.

Wong's eight-year-old daughter, who was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle during the time of incident, is reported to be in a critical condition after a bullet lodged in her abdomen.