Lim Kit Siang has taken the gunfight over the home minister's controversial remark to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his police chief.

The veteran opposition leader demanded that the pair state break their silence and state their stand on Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's call for extrajudicial killings of suspected criminals.

NONE"It is not only the PM who should speak up whether his government countenances and condones a policy of police 'shoot first' when dealing with suspected criminals, the Cabinet tomorrow should take a stand on the issue.

"In fact, the BN supreme council should hold an emergency meeting to declare its stand on the home minister’s statement," he said in a statement.

The DAP leader recounted how Ahmad Zahid gave automatic backing to Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar over the latter's "ludicrous" excuse that the missing firearms as reported in the audit report could have "fallen into the sea".

In view of this, he asked: "Is Khalid going to give similar backing to the home minister that police is now operating on a policy to ‘shoot-first’  when dealing with suspected criminals?"

He said whichever position Khalid would rely on, Malaysians were entitled to know whether the police would adopt a new standard operating procedure and when this SOP would take effect.

RCI transformations ignored

Lim also reminded Najib and Khalid that the royal commission of inquiry(RCI) on the police established by former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had submitted 125 recommendations in 2005 to create an efficient, accountable, trustworthy, incorruptible, professional and world class police force.

"This transformation would make the police concentrate on reducing crime, eradicate corruption and uphold human rights.

NONE"It is a sad commentary of the present state of affairs that all the three core functions highlighted by the RCI eight years ago had not been achieved," he said.

In a related development, national human rights commission Suhakam also expressed disappointment with the home minister's statement.

Suhakam chairman Hasmy Agam (left) said the approach advocated by Ahmad Zahid was contary to fundamental human rights principles.

"The remarks by the minister are most unfortunate at a time when Malaysia's human rights record will be scrutinised at the Universal Periodic Review later this month at the UN Human Rights Council," he added in a statement.

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