The police are prepared to consider applications for firearms for enforcement officers, including from religious departments, who are involved in critical and high-risk jobs.

Royal Malaysia Police Crime Prevention and Eradication Department director Ayub Yaakob said their applications would not be rejected if there was a need for them to be equipped with firearms, but they had to conform to the stipulated procedures.

"We understand their job as enforcement officers, always at risk. It cannot be denied that tools for self-defence, like firearms, are necessary although they are not the only way (for self-defence)," he said when contacted by Bernama in Kuala Lumpur today.

NONE He said this when asked to comment on a suggestion by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom ( left ) for religious enforcement officers to be equipped with firearms when they were to conduct operations.

The suggestion was made following the murder of Pahang Islamic Religious Department (Jaip) enforcement head Ahmad Raffli Abdul Malik, 49, who was shot dead in his house in Indera Mahkota 2, last Sunday.

Ahmad Raffli was shot thrice and died instantly in the 2pm incident.

Ayub said that, in several operations by the religious department, the officers were accompanied by armed policemen to prevent any untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairperson Lee Lam Thye said the Home Ministry should study from all aspects the proposal for religious enforcement officers to be equipped with firearms.

The media adviser for the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association, Tuan Asmawi Tuan Umar, said the association welcome the proposal, but suggested the government to consider several matters before doing so.

- Bernama