[NEW UPDATE] Zahid Hamidi Finally Speaks Up About "Shoot First" Remark
Home Minister Zahid Hamidi made some shocking revelations in a secret recording by obtained by MalaysiaKini during a security briefing event on 5 October 2013.
By Mei Mei Chu — 07 Oct 2013, 03:27 PM — Updated almost 11 years ago
Taken out of context
Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) has claimed that his "shoot first" remark was in reference to the fatal shooting of five suspected gangsters in Penang in August by police during an operation.
themalaysianinsider.com
In a live 20-minute interview with news channel Astro Awani today, he said, his tough, no-nonsense stand was based on "universal humanitarian" grounds.
Ahmad Zahid explained that "humanitarian" in his context meant safeguarding the rights of both civilians and policemen, who were victims of violence.
“I was referring to what happened in Penang, where five (suspected) criminals were killed by the police, because according to information (obtained from police) intelligence (revealed) that (the suspects) were armed.
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"Are the police only allowed to defend themselves after they are shot? If that is the case, surely a lot of police will die if they do so," he added.
themalaysianinsider.com
"To me, 'shoot first, ask questions later' does not arise. This is a wild statement made by them," He also replied in the affirmitive when he was asked again if the police only shot the five after they had confirmed the gangsters were armed.
Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) wants Zahid Hamidi to be arrested and prosecuted
HOME Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should be arrested immediately and charged in court for instigating murder, said a lawyers' group.
malaysiandigest.comLawyers for Liberty (LFL) said they are disturbed at Ahmad Zahid's "shoot first" approach to law enforcement, which he allegedly took during a speech at Malacca International Trade Centre on Friday.
themalaysianinsider.com
"It is disturbing that our Home Minister has given his endorsement to all law enforcement officials to mete out death sentences to suspected offenders on the street, without due process. It is evident that the Home Minister is unaware of the basic concepts of the rule of law that underpins our justice system and has chosen to trample on the Federal Constitution and human rights."
"His unfeeling statement has disregarded and disrespected the tragic deaths of innocent Malaysians such as Aminulrasyid Amzah, D. Dinesh and Pua Bee Chun," she said, referring to victims of police shooting.
themalaysianinsider.com
“By encouraging law enforcers to ‘shoot first’, the home minister has effectively ordered policemen and officials to disregard the criminal justice system, due process and has legitimized the cold-blooded murder of ‘suspects’ without ever being brought before a court of law,” the group said.
themalaymailonline.com
"In view of the criminal nature of Zahid’s statement, we call for his immediate arrest and prosecution for instigating murder. We also call upon Prime Minister Najib Razak to take stern action against ministers who display such disregard for human lives and civil liberties."
Human Rights Watch says Zahid Hamidi is promoting the illegal use of lethal force
Human Rights Watch says Zahid Hamidi is promoting the illegal use of lethal force
Image via imgur.comThe government should act to ensure that the Home Minister’s support for the police to “shoot first” when apprehending criminal suspects is not police policy, Human Rights Watch said today.
“Home Minister Zahid is Malaysia’s top law enforcement official, yet he is promoting the illegal use of lethal force,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
“Prime Minister Najib should be clear he won’t tolerate such statements or unlawful practices, which show a callous disregard for basic rights.”
Various incidents suggest that Malaysian police have at times adopted a “shoot first” policy, Human Rights Watch said. A “shoot first” policy by law enforcement personnel violates international human rights law and standards.
“Killings of criminal suspects by Malaysian police suggest that Minister Zahid’s disturbing remarks may already reflect the practice of some law enforcement officials,” Robertson said. “Too many people have died in a hail of police bullets for Malaysia’s leaders to continue to sit on their hands.”
Latheefa Koya, co-founder of Lawyers for Liberty, says Zahid Hamidi confirms shoot to kill policy
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s comment on a “shoot first” approach when dealing with suspected gang members validates previous fears that the unwritten policy existed within the police force, a human rights lawyer said today.
themalaymailonline.com
Co-founder of Lawyers for Liberty, Latheefa Koya, said the home minister was essentially giving the police a free pass to be trigger happy when confronting suspected criminals.
themalaymailonline.com
“With the home minister saying it in such fashion, it has confirmed out worst fears that there is a shoot to kill policy. He is calling to do murder basically. It is completely wrong, completely illegal... I think he should be investigated immediately,” the PKR legal bureau chief said.
yahoo.comMCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu says Zahid Hamidi is portraying Malaysia as a lawless nation
The “shoot first” approach to law enforcement advocated by Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will portray Malaysia as a lawless nation, said MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu.
themalaymailonline.com
“A shoot to kill or shoot first policy is liable to make mistake and possible abuses. We will send a wrong signal to the world that this is a country of lawlessness and without rule of law. It tells a lot just what kind of country in the world adopt shoot first policy,”
malaysiandigest.com“It is a fundamental duty of any government to provide a safe living environment. It is about law and order. Tough on crime is necessary. But no law enforcement can ever be justified on ethnic grounds,” Gan said.
malaysiandigest.com“The remark is wholly uncalled for. Zahid has earlier assured members of the public that ‘police are colour blind’. His latest remark, if not read out of context, is most unbecoming. Crime and law enforcement have nothing to do with colour.
themalaymailonline.com
PKR vice-president N. Surendran says all previous fatal shootings by police must be re-opened
Padang Serai MP and PKR vice-president N. Surendran said Zahid has now cast suspicion over the circumstances of all instances of the discharge of firearms by the police. “In light of Zahid’s statement, all previous cases of fatal shootings by police must be re-opened.
themalaymailonline.com
“In view of the seriousness of the matter, which involves the lives of ordinary Malaysians, we call for the immediate formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry,” Surendran said in a statement today.
yahoo.comSuaram coordinator R. Thevarajan says shooting without warning is against the fundamental rights of all Malaysians
Coordinator for human rights group Suaram, R. Thevarajan, said shooting suspects without warnings is against the fundamental rights of all Malaysians.
themalaymailonline.com
“If you have evidence, you charge them in court. You can’t be saying that you have evidence, then you’ll shoot them.
themalaymailonline.com
8 Oct: Home Minister Zahid Hamidi admits shoot-first-ask-questions-later policy in a recording obtained by Malaysiakini
Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has declared a “shoot first” policy for the police in dealing with suspected gang members in the wake of a violent crime spree that has resulted in Malays making up the majority of the victims.
themalaymailonline.com
Home Minister Zahid Hamidi admits shoot-first-ask-questions-later policy in a recording obtained by Malaysiakini
Image via imgur.comAhmad Zahid was speaking at a ‘security briefing ceremony with community leaders’ last Saturday in what appeared to be a government function that turned into an Umno affair.
newsxs.com
Malaysiakini reported that journalists received warnings by the minister not to report what he had said. The news portal, however, obtained a 20-minute recording of the speech from an assemblyman in Malacca.
themalaysianinsider.com
WATCH: "Jangan ada lagi amaran kepada mereka, kita ada bukti kita tembak"
The recording showed Ahmad Zahid saying that 28,000 of the 40,000 gang members identified are of Indian ethnicity, and that there was nothing wrong in detaining them.
themalaysianinsider.com
Referring to the Penang shootout where 5 gangsters were shot dead without warning, Zahid Hamidi says the best way to deal with criminals is to shoot first
Referring to the Penang shootout where 5 gangsters were shot dead without warning, Zahid Hamidi says the best way to deal with criminals is to shoot first
Image via imgur.com"What is the situation of robbery victims, murder victims during shootings? Most of them are our Malays. Most of them are our race,” he said.
malaysiakini.com
"I think the best way is that we no longer compromise with them. There is no need to give them any more warning. If (we) get the evidence, (we) shoot first.”
malaysiakini.com
Ahmad Zahid then immediately highlighted the fatal shooting of five suspected Indian gangsters in Penang in August and chastised Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy - albeit without naming him - for raising questions about the incident.
malaysiakini.com
"There is a deputy minister ... he disputed me and the police. He (asked) why there were no warning shots first before shooting. I said that if you want to be (in) a NGO, resign as a deputy minister. He is not qualified to be a deputy minister," he said to cheers in the room.
malaysiakini.com
He went on to brag about his success in getting the Dewan Rakyat on his side to reintroduce "his new law", the Prevention of Crime Act
Zahid Hamidi went on to brag about his success in getting the Dewan Rakyat on his side to reintroduce "his new law", the Prevention of Crime Act
Image via mkini.netZahid also bragged declared that the amendment to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (PCA) that reintroduces detention without trial was "my new law". The revised PCA allows for indefinite detention without trial for durations of two years at a time.
"We investigate (criminal cases), we take it to the courts. If there is no evidence, if there is not enough evidence, at least there are still two years’ (detention). That is my new law, there is no compromise.”
"The Internal Security Act has been repealed, the Emergency Ordinance has been repealed, the Restricted Residence Act has been repealed, but they (opposition) did not notice the PCA 1959, they did not notice it."
"I discussed with the inspector-general of police...with the ministry's legal adviser.. with Shahidan Kassim so that when the time comes (for a vote), the ... speaker would be on our side, the Dewan Rakyat secretary will be on our side".
He then related how the opposition bench, where there are many lawyers, had made their case in the Dewan Rakyat against the amendments during the debate which extended to almost nine hours.
malaysiakini.com
"I am not a lawyer. I was a banker, so I just listened. I did not understand what they said and even if I did I would not want to understand what they said because they were defending gangsters. Whoever who defends gangsters, I will surely oppose them," he said.
malaysiakini.com
Malaysiakini reported that journalists were removed from the event towards the end of his speech with threats to shut down their newspapers
Reporters were unceremoniously kicked out towards the end of his speech and threatened by the home minister against reporting the contents or he would shut down their newspapers.
malaysiakini.com
The threat succeeded in silencing most of the media although Oriental Daily News reported Ahmad Zahid's warning after he made "sensitive remarks". It did not give details of his comments.
malaysiakini.com
An UMNO watcher says Zahid Hamidi's speech is to make himself a Malay hero in the run up to the UMNO elections
All the president's men... (from left) Shafie Apdal, Ahmad Zahid and Hishammuddin Hussein filing their candidacy for re-election as vice-presidents at the Umno headquarters on 21 September 22 2013.
Image via themalaysianinsider.comZahid had been speaking at what appeared to be a government briefing to community leaders on security matters but apparently, the meeting quickly dwindled into an Umno affair, with Zahid taking full advantage to 'pitch' for votes.
"Zahid is not a dumb loud-mouth, but quite a sharp politician. In any developed democracy, he would be stripped of his job. But here in predominantly-Malay Malaysia, he is a hero,"
"To the Malays, he is doing what all good Umno leaders should do. To ensure the Malays get what they want and to make sure the non-Malays are kept in their place, bring out the guns and the tough laws so that no one dares to revolt."
He is one of Umno's 3 vice presidents and is defending his post which is up for grabs at the party election slated for October 19.
Opposition MP Tian Chua says the Home Minister is talking like the Godfather of the Mafia
Opposition MP Tian Chua says the Home Minister is talking like the Godfather of the Mafia
Image via borneoinsider.com"He's talking like the Godfather of the Mafia, giving the green light or encouraging trigger-happy cops. Zahid is working overtime to win the Umno election," Opposition MP for Batu Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.
Click to read: The Prevention of Crime Act and the Penang shootout that Zahid Hamidi proudly mentioned
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