Firearms Possession And Regulations In Malaysia Public Safety Must Remain A Priority

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Letter to Editor
THE recent shooting incident in Setia City Mall in Setia Alam has widespread garnered attention, raising public concerns of safety and firearm responsibility.
This disturbing event underscores the urgency of addressing how firearms are accessed, owned, and misused in public spaces.
The government must take immediate and decisive action to address the Setia Alam shooting as it suggests possible weaknesses in the current regulation process.
Our country has a stringent process for gun ownership, which includes background checks for not only applicants, but their family members as well.
Mental health evaluations, and approval from the State Chief Police Officer (CPO) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is also part of the process.
Adding to this, the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) must crack down on any potential websites that sell illegal firearms or firearms imitations.
These platforms must be blocked, and any content promoting illegal weapons must be taken down to prevent further harm.
How then, did this suspect, who has a criminal record, come to be in possession of a gun? This highlights possible smuggling operations, in which case, it is crucial that law enforcement agencies investigate the methods and routes through which illegal firearms enter Malaysia and make their way into the hands of criminals.
Targeted security in public spaces must also be strengthened. Government budget could provide an allocation to train more sniffer dogs to patrol larger malls, or public spaces where people converge, particularly during peak hours when the risk may be higher.
Sniffer dogs may also be particularly useful after hours, where incidents such as the Setia Alam shooting could have been prevented if security were more alert.
Meanwhile, shopping malls should install metal detectors at their entrances.
On a separate but related note, MCA calls for periodic reviews of all firearm owners to undergo more frequent assessments, not just the yearly required shooting test at the allocated shooting ranges.
Similar to the review process for driving licenses, where proposals have been made compelling elderly driving licence holders to undergo health checks, firearms owners of a certain age should undergo periodic mental health assessments to ensure they are still capable of owning and using firearms responsibly.
However, it should not be limited to only senior citizens, but applicants of all ages, as firearms hold a significant danger if not responsibly used.
This incident must be treated with the utmost seriousness. The Setia Alam shooting could have resulted in far worse consequences, particularly since it occurred in a public space.
We were fortunate that no one was killed, but relying on luck is not an option. If the suspect had opened fire during the afternoon rather than at 10pm when the incident took place, the outcome could have been much more dangerous.
Public safety should always be a priority, and we cannot afford to be complacent. 
Datuk Ir Lawrence Low is an MCA vice president and the party’s Selangor state liaison committee chairman.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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