PKR MP for Bayan Baru Sim Tze Tzin expressed horror and outrage at the shooting deaths of four family members, including a two-year old boy, at 3am today in Batu Maung, Penang.

He said the incident raised two important questions.

“How could anyone gain access to illegal guns so easily? And how could anyone gain access to illegal drugs so easily?” he asked, in a statement today.

“Has our country now plunged into lawlessness like certain places in Thailand and Philippines?” Sim further questioned.

The incident follows eight cases of shootings in the country in the past 30 days.

Among these were high profile cases like the killing of Sarawak PKR leader Bill Kayong, and real estate agent Wong Siew Ling in Taman OUG, Petaling Jaya.

“Worse, these incidents happened in the middle of our cities, not in remote areas, out of reach by law enforcement.

“Have our border controls failed so miserably that illegal guns are now easily available to any Abu, Ah Kow and Muthu?” he queried.

According to police, the suspect in the Batu Maung murders was said to be under the influence of drugs and is now on the run.

“My heart goes out to the victims’ family. No words can describe my shock and horror,” he said adding that police had told his staff that a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, illegally obtained, was used.

Sim said the second concern was the suspect was involved in illegal drug use.

Although Malaysia has been fighting drug trafficking for decades, illegal drugs are still easily available, he added.

He described the situation as gross failure on the government.

“Tragedies like these would be less likely to happen if there is strict law enforcement and effective policing,” said the PKR strategic director.

Sim said Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had promised civil society and the opposition that illegal drugs trafficking, triad gangs, and organised crime would be eradicated.

However, there is still easy access to illegal drugs and illegal guns, Sim alleged.

“I take the home minister and inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to task, and urge them to answer for these gross failures in law enforcement.

“Parliament approved RM7.98 billion for the police in 2016 budget, with RM678 million for crime investigation and RM269 million for drug prevention,” he said.

The MP added the police were well-funded and well equipped, and there was no reason for such tremendous failures in these areas.