The police shot dead a total of 124 criminals from 2009 to August this year, with Malays recording the highest at 56.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that of the remainder, 41 were Indians, Chinese (23) and the rest non-Malay bumiputras.

During the period, 898 unlicenced firearms were seized, including 319 semi-automatic guns, revolvers (120), rifles (22), shotguns (84), hand-grenades (31), air guns (105), pump-action shotguns (20), sub-machine guns (four) and home made guns (193).

Ahmad Zahid said this in a written reply to a question by Lim Lip Eng (DAP Segambut) who wanted to know the latest statistics on cases of criminal shootings and seizure of firearms.

Meanwhile, he also told the Dewan Rakyat that in the 6P integrated operation from Sept 1 to 16, a total of 4,356 illegal immigrants were detained, with Indonesians making up the highest number, followed by Myanmar and Bangladesh.

- Bernama