Setia Alam shooting: Training for guards, auxiliary cops at Malaysian malls to be enhanced

PUTRAJAYA - Training for security guards and auxiliary police deployed at shopping malls will be enhanced following the Setia Alam mall shooting incident, said Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said his ministry recognised the need to improve training for security guards and auxiliary police, which is provided by the police force.

“It is time for us to update and enhance the training modules and syllabus to meet current training needs for security companies and auxiliary police teams. The goal is to ensure more effective security control at business complexes and public areas,” he told a press conference after attending the Home Ministry’s monthly meeting on Feb 10.

He added that he would be requesting the police leadership, including the Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain and his deputy, Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, to look into the matter.

A male cleaner at the mall was injured in his leg and buttock after

he was shot by a man on Feb 8.

Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said the victim, a foreign national in his 30s, was taken to Shah Alam Hospital for treatment and is now in stable condition.

He said the suspect, a Malaysian, is believed to have arrived at the shopping centre at around 10pm and approached the victim before opening fire.

Datuk Seri Saifuddin added that in such locations, security companies and auxiliary police will undergo police training.

“However, given the nature of incidents like this, it may be time to reconsider whether the training aspects should be reviewed to align with potential current threats, especially since these incidents occur in public spaces,” he said.

“While the public generally understands that police officers carry out their duties to ensure public safety, business premises operate differently.

“The police conduct regular patrols according to a schedule or omnipresent strategy, but the responsibility given to security companies must be re-evaluated.

“I will instruct my officers to revisit discussions with security industry associations so we can focus on this aspect,” added Mr Saifuddin.

He also assured the public that the police force’s preparedness, public order and security are under control following the incident.

“This is evident from how quickly the police responded during the recent incident. The profiling process was swift, and we not only identified the suspect, but also uncovered his past criminal record, which includes several prior offences.

“If the police were incompetent, we would still be struggling, but the reality is that we identified the suspect in a very short time,” he said.

Mr Saifuddin also stressed that firearm ownership remains strictly regulated in the country.

“No citizen can own a firearm without a proper licence. Possessing a firearm without a licence is a serious criminal offence under our stringent laws,” said the minister, adding that the police’s firearm licensing process is extremely strict.

“Some may question why it takes one to two years to obtain a licence – this itself reflects the rigorous vetting process.

“The screening is conducted, first by Bukit Aman and then at the Home Ministry level,” he said, referring to the Malaysian police headquarters.

“Since I have been in office from December 2022, I can say that out of every 100 appeals submitted to me (after being rejected by the police), only about three are approved.”

Mr Saifuddin explained: “In rare cases, four or five approvals may be granted based on strong justifications, such as individuals needing firearms to protect their livelihoods, like fruit orchard owners in remote areas facing significant threats.

“These cases are carefully reviewed by both Bukit Aman and the Home Ministry before a decision is made.” THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK