Should Our Royal Malaysian Navy Be Given The Power To Shoot On Sight?
The Royal Malaysian Navy wants the authority to shoot on sight to protect the state from kidnapping attacks by terrorists from southern Philippines.
By Mei Mei Chu — 10 Sep 2014, 04:15 PM — Updated about 10 years ago
The Royal Malaysian Navy Has Been Persuading The Federal Government To Give Them The Power To Shoot On Sight When Pursuing Intruders Along Sabah's Eastern Seaboard
KOTA KINABALU: The Royal Malaysian Navy is still trying to persuade the Federal Government to loosen the existing rules of engagement under the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), giving them prerogative and discretionary powers including the “right to shoot on sight” when pursuing intruders along Sabah’s eastern seaboard.
Aziz said he hoped the government would consider the request as “the time had come” for action to ensure the nation’s security. “Now is not the time to show leniency. We must be firm as intruders who encroach our waters with ill intention will not be afraid if we are not firm.
"I Had Asked For The Shoot On Sight Authority Because I Didn’t Want It To Be A Case Of Us Not Being Able To Do Anything When Chasing Intruders In Our Waters," Said Navy Chief Abdul Aziz Jaafar
“I had asked for the shoot on sight authority because I didn’t want it to be a case of us not being able to do anything when chasing intruders in our waters. They run away and speed off and that’s it. We can only watch in vain,” said Navy Chief Abdul Aziz Jaafar in a statement. “We understand it (approval) will take time so we are following the current SOP for now. We want to be able to do something about it.”
“For example, when we sound a warning for them to stop and they refuse to do so, don’t tell me we have to wait for them to approach us. Surely, we must stop them. There was a situation where we could have fired (at them), but were forced to hold back (due to legalities). So, if we are given the green light to shoot, they will be afraid."
“Now they are not, as they know we will not shoot at them,” he said adding that the attorney-general needed to revisit the matter to make it easier for security management in Sabah’s west coast.
The Navy Chief Had Proposed This As A Deterrence Measure To Prevent Terrorists From Southern Philippines From Entering The Country
Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, in mooting the proposal, said this was to prevent terrorists from southern Philippines from entering the country.
Aziz said the navy’s request for power to shoot on sight was meant as a deterrence measure. He said such power needed to be exercised so that suspicious targets would not take our security forces’ presence lightly.
“The power to shoot will be exercised against suspected intruders, who try to flee and those who refuse to allow security forces to perform checks. It is not to shoot and kill them. “(In some cases) Only by firing shots can we make the suspects heed our orders. “Intruders are not afraid of security forces’ orders and would flee every time, as they knew that we are not allowed to shoot.
The Current Law Prohibits Members Of Security Forces From Shooting On Sight
He said the laws prohibited members of security forces from shooting on sight and this had prevented security forces, including the navy, from wiping out such attempts completely, despite numerous opportunities to do so in the past.
However, Terrorists In The Region Who Are Trained As "Fighters" Have Been Using Latest Technology And High Speed Boats, Making It Increasingly Difficult For Authorities To Pursue Them
He said the proposal was made considering that terrorists in the region were using the latest technology and high-speed boats, besides being trained as “fighters”.
Prime Minister Najib Agrees That More Aggressive Measures Are Needed To Protect Sabah Waters But The Standard Operating Procedure Must Be Clear
The Star Online in a report quoted Najib as saying that this was to ensure ground personnel had a clearer understanding of the situation under which they were allowed to fire at intruders. In the report, Najib agreed that more aggressive measures had to be taken to address security problems in Sabah waters.
themalaysianinsider.com
“The SOP (standard operating procedure) must be clear to avoid untoward incidents involving the lives of innocent people. Once ironed out and approved by the government, we will have a look at how we can protect our waters in Sabah from intruders. I am cautious that if the directive is not fully comprehended, it may lead to a flawed interpretation and innocent lives may be taken.”
Home Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Had Endorsed The Proposal Saying That The Shooting Is Justified If It Could Stop The Intruders
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi endorsed the navy chief's request and gave the go-ahead to shoot when faced with intruders encroaching into Malaysian waters and deemed a threat to national security.
themalaysianinsider.com
Home Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had reportedly said that if shooting could stop the intruders, it was justified. “The government has no problem with the shooting order if intruders attempt to enter the country.”
Dr Ahmad Zahid said there would be changes to the East Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), as the police took over its operations. “We must also be proactive, not wait for someone to attack us and then react. The new procedures will include surveillance and control,” The Star reported him as saying.
On The Other Hand, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail Had Rejected The Proposal As Malaysia Is Not A Military State
Zahid overrode Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail who had rejected the navy's proposal, saying that Malaysia is not a military state.
themalaysianinsider.com