There has been no sudden surge of fatal shooting cases involving the police, insists Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who claims that the issue has been sensationalise by certain parties.

NONE “There is no rise. If we look at the answer given in Parliament, compared to the country's history, the number (of fatal shootings) is not apparent. Many things have been brought up in Parliament, which have been sensationalised, and we have had to give the exact number,” he told a press conference today.

“There are cases already taken to court, some are still under investigation, while others have been explained.”

Hishammuddin was asked to comment a claim by NGO Lawyers for Liberty that fatal shootings by police have risen 17-fold since 2001. It said there were 82 cases in 2008 and 88 last year.

The minister also said he would leave it to the police to answer such allegations, as it involves their image.

“Let the police respond on the data, on the dates (of the cases), as such allegations affect their image. If not, I would be asked this question every day when there are other serious matters to respond to,” he said.

Hishammuddin also said the police have to respond quickly, to prevent misconceptions being formed by the public.

azlan Pressed further, he conceded the possibility of a “slight increase” but said it is a situation which the authorities must handle.

“I have asked the inspector-general of police (Ismail Omar) and his deputy to prepare a mechanism to explain the situation. If it is not rebutted, I fear it may lead to misconceptions.

“(Even) if it is within the standard operating procedure, there are still questions. The force must handle high-profile cases well. This requires proper thinking and an approach which is transparent, just and open....”

Hishammuddin said such an approach should reveal some portion of police investigations without affecting the cases.

“This must not affect innocent parties and at the same time, if police personnel are guilty, they have to face the consequences.”

Cyber Sedition Bill

On the Cyber Sedition Bill, Hishammuddin said this is based on existing sedition law.

NONE It will outline what cases can be prosecuted and what cannot, and the limits of prosecution if such statements are made on the Internet.

"In the end, it is the attorney-general who will determine whether a person is to be prosecuted," the minister said.

"The draft has been prepared and it will be tabled to the cabinet probably on Friday.

"It could be tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Mohd) Nazri (Abdul) Aziz and Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim."