PARLIAMENT The police has lost 62 firearms since 2001, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein revealed today.

In his written parliamentary reply to Tian Chua (PKR-Batu), the minister elaborated that the police has lost 36 semi-automatic pistols, 51 revolvers and two sub-machine guns since 2001.

azlan “However, 28 units - four semi-automatic pistols and 24 revolvers - have been recovered,” said Hishammuddin.

The reply however failed to account for one more unit to make up the total of 62.

Chua had made a written request for the home minister to report how many items of logistic equipment, including vehicles and firearms, the police force (PDRM) has lost since 2001. He also asked for disclosure of PDRM’s allocations on equipment spending since 2005.

In his reply, the minister listed 58 cases of missing vehicles, involving 49 motorcycles, three cars, one van and one four-wheel drive vehicle.

Hishammuddin clarified that logistic equipment under the police inventory consisted seven categories: watercraft, radio equipment, firearms and ammunition, vehicles, aircraft, technical assistance equipment and information technology systems.

“From the above categories, two categories which frequently face problems are vehicles and firearms,” said Hishammuddin.

NONE In his response to Chua’s second question, Hishammuddin ( right in photo ) disclosed a total allocation of RM1.59 billion under development expenditure, and RM233.59 million under management.

Police carelessness serious

In an immediate reaction to the disclosure of lost equipment, Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) demanded that Hishammuddin explain how such loss of police property was possible.

“Was it lost when the police were on duty or, in the case of firearms, were they stolen from the armoury? That the items went missing when they were supposed to be under the care of the police is a serious matter,” he said when contacted.

Salahuddin, who is among three Pakatan Rakyat ‘ cabinet committee ’ members overseeing the home ministry, said the police inability to ensure the safety of its own equipment would erode public confidence in their ability to fight crime.