Inspector-general of police Musa Hassan has suggested that he would pull his men off the streets amid criticisms over Monday's shooting of 14-year-old Aminulrasyid Amzah.

"If you do not want the police to enforce the law, then say so," said the police chief, when asked for his response towards criticism by opposition parties and NGOs over the matter.

NONE "I can tell my men to not take any action, including conduct inspections on vehicles or arrest Mat Rempit who ride without licences," he told reporters after launching a blood donation drive at the National Blood Bank in conjunction with the 203rd Police Day celebrations today.

Aminulrasyid was shot dead by police in an incident in Shah Alam at 2am, when he allegedly ignored police calls for him to stop the car that he was driving.

Having kept mum on the incident thus far, Musa blew his top and said that there was no way for the officers to know that the driver was not an adult as it was dark.

"If you refuse to stop and try to drive your way through when an officer is trying to stop you, then that vehicle is considered a weapon because it poses a danger to the life of the enforcement officer," said Musa.

The Star reported that Musa also defended his officers saying that they had reason to be suspicious of a vehicle which refuses to stop when told to.

No cover-up

When asked about the circumstances under which police are allowed to use firearms, he replied: "My men know that they can only use their firearms in self-defence, that is our rule of engagement."

Musa said a vehicle was as deadly as a pistol, a knife or a machete.

"A vehicle can be used as a weapon, a weapon doesn't mean that it is only a gun, knife or parang. If you refuse to stop and try to plough the officers who are trying to stop you, it can be a weapon because it becomes a danger to the lives of enforcement officers," he said. 

He asked the public not to pre-judge the incident and again gave an assurance that there would be no cover-up.

"I'm not biased, don't speculate. As I said earlier, we will not cover anything and will be fair in our investigation. So wait for the outcome of investigations," he was quoted by Bernama .

The Monday incident, which follows the police shooting of Norizan Salleh who survived with five gunshots wounds last October, has caused public outcry over trigger-happy officers.

The teen shooting has also reignited calls for the formation of Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), which was first mooted by former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Kit Siang: Resign now!

In an immediate reaction, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang condemned Musa’s “threat” and likened it to committing “gross insubordination”.

“This is a most disgraceful statement from the IGP as it tantamount to an open and public insurbodination against the Malaysian people who pay for his salary,” he said.

Lim adds that groups who have opposed the repeated extension of Musa’s contract have been vindicated today, adding that the IGP had “overstayed his welcome”.

He said that the country can not afford to wait for Musa’s contract to expire and requires that he step down now following the remark.

According to Lim, this was not the first time that Musa had uttered unbecoming remarks, citing his previous threat of a revolt should the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) be established.

“All over the world, developed nations are graduating to the concept of democratic policing subjecting the police forces to principles of public responsibility and accountability  but this is clearly very alien to Musa,” he added.

Lim adds that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein should declare whether he had given the ‘green-light’ for Musa to make the “outrageous statements” and whether any disciplinary action will be taken against him.

“Musa’s threats today have transgressed acceptable and tolerable limits and is a great disservice to the majority of police personnel who are disciplined, conscientious and hardworking.”