I refer to the incident in Penang where an Domestic Trade and Industry enforcement officer shot a VCD peddler , seriously injuring him.

This was an accident waiting to happen. Many a civil society movement has been warning against arming these trigger-happy, ill-disciplined personnel and now it has blown smack into the face of civility.

While it may be true that the victim may have come at the officers with a baseball bat (the police have yet to recover it), it is absolutely diabolical that the reply is a gunshot to the chest.

Surely a shot to the leg should have sufficed?

I am happy that the victim's parents are considering suing for compensation but I also urge that only the officer be sued as if the government is included as a party, then the officer will get away scot free as the government will pick up the tab if damages have to be paid.

This is what some of these people count on - for the government to always pay for their negligence. I also hope the police will charge the officer concerned with attempted murder and nothing less. Should the victim die, then the charge should be murder.

Generally, it is a accepted fact that many enforcement officers are in poor physical condition and hence the fact that a baseball bat is replied with a bullet. Talk about over the top reaction.

This tragedy is the home minister's fault for agreeing to having improperly trained enforcement officers armed with guns. This is not the first time. Previously another was alleged to have waved his gun in public scaring onlookers but that issue was conveniently swept under the carpet. Will this be as well?

I urge the government to withdraw the permission given for enforcement officers to carry firearms. If a dangerous mission is perceived, they should call for a police escort.

It not that the police have a clean record in not killing innocents, but at least they have not been reported to have shot someone attacking them with baseball bat.

The incident in Penang should never be allowed to happen again.