DAP: Why are firearms suddenly so available in Malaysia?

(The Star) – DAP wants to know why there appears to be a ready supply of firearms in Malaysia, especially given the recent rise in local shootings.

Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said despite harsh penalties against illegal gun ownership, it did not appear to have stopped secret societies from using them.

“Blaming the repeal of the Emergency Ordinance that released many hardened criminals into society does not fully explain how the supply of guns has suddenly surged in Malaysia,” he said in a statement Sunday.

Lim urged the police to find out how the guns come into Malaysia and plug the holes.

The repeal of the Emergency Ordinance (EO), Lim said, did not explain what he described a sudden “surge” in local gun supply.

More than 20 people have been killed in a wave of shootings across the country since April 12 this year.

Top DAP leaders have become seriously concerned and will hold an emergency meeting Monday night to discuss, among other things, the recent rise in violent crime has affected local businesses and tourism, Lim said.

Lim said that the meeting would be held even though some leaders were away on holiday.

As a short-term measure, Lim called for more police to be put on the streets, claiming that only about 9% of 112,583 (10,150) uniformed officers in Malaysia were in the Criminal Investigation Department.

He said that at least half of Malaysia’s police force were needed to fight crime.

“There should be at least 56,000 personnel in uniform patrolling the streets and not the present 10,150,” he said.