For years, the civil society has questioned the high number of suspected criminals, mostly Indian Malaysians, being shot dead by the police.

Although the police have consistently claimed that it is always the suspects who draw first blood, forcing them to return fire, certain quarters however find this version hard to digest.

They have accused the police of being trigger-happy and resorting to 'summary executions' as a short-cut measure instead of arresting and prosecuting the suspects.

NONE Some have argued that such actions also robbed suspected criminals of the right to prove their innocence or even the prospect of rehabilitation and turning over a new leaf.

Critics were up in arms once again following Monday's shooting in Klang, which saw five Indian youths, aged between 17 and 24, being killed in what the police later described as an exchange of bullets.

The five were said to be members of the 'PCO Boy' gang, allegedly responsible for a spate of robberies.

Review operational procedures

Commenting on this incident, MIC vice-president and Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam expressed regret over the shooting and extended his condolences to the families.

He also said that it is pertinent for the police force to avoid being perceived negatively by the public.

In view of this, Subramaniam urged the police to review their operational procedures when engaging with suspected criminals.

The minister said while he recognised the right of the police to act in self-defence and to protect innocent bystanders during such operations, it would be good in the long-term if some of the current provisions and tactics in police procedures in taking on suspected criminals are reviewed.

dr s subramaniam interview 210308 05 "The incident of (the police) shooting suspects is damaging the image of the force and there is a need to review the procedures so that such incidents can be reduced," he told Malaysiakini.

Subramaniam also said the public must be mindful of the responsibilities and duties of the police force to ensure the safety of the people and that of the policemen.

Meanwhile, the MIC vice-president also noted the alarming rate of Indian youths turning to a life of crime and underscored the importance of addressing the root causes for this.

The youths must be made to understand that crime never pays and those who choose to dabble in it would have to suffer the consequences, he added.

On Tuesday, Federal CID director Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin denied the allegation that the police preferred to dispose off criminals using the barrel of a gun.

"When police officers shoot, they do not shoot to kill, but rather they shoot to stop the deadly force threat.

"It is clearly within the right of the police to act in self-defence and protect the lives of innocent bystanders," he said in a statement.