Police Must Take Firm Action Against Criminals – Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Security personnel must use all available legal provisions to address criminal threats, particularly when facing life-threatening situations while on duty.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed this following an incident in which a police officer’s right hand was severed at the wrist in an attack in Kepong on Wednesday.
He said the government stood firmly behind the security forces in ensuring appropriate action was taken against anyone who committed crimes.
According to him, the matter was also raised during today’s Cabinet meeting to ensure that such incidents were not taken lightly.
The Prime Minister emphasised that there could be no compromise when it came to criminal acts and that police officers must carry out their duties firmly, based on the powers granted under the law.
“We support our security agencies and personnel so that they remain firm, show no tolerance towards crime and do not take such matters lightly,” he said.
He told reporters this after performing Friday prayers at Madrasathul Gouthiyyah, Surau Brickfields, here today.
He said existing laws provided the police and other security agencies with the authority to take appropriate action according to the circumstances when facing threats.
The incident occurred at a residential premises in Desa Aman Puri, Kepong, when an officer from the Gombak District Police Headquarters’ Mobile Patrol Vehicle Unit was attacked by a foreign man armed with a machete.
The attack resulted in the officer’s right hand being severed at the wrist, requiring emergency treatment and complex surgery.
In a related development, Anwar also praised the medical team at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) for successfully performing surgery to reattach the police officer’s severed hand.
He said the success demonstrated the ability of local medical specialists to carry out complicated procedures requiring a high level of expertise and precision.
“I congratulate the entire HKL team on successfully performing a complex surgery that required exceptional expertise,” he said.
The Prime Minister also expressed hope that the officer would make positive progress in his recovery following the surgery.
On Thursday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the surgery took eight hours and was performed by a team of Upper Limb Subspecialty and Microsurgery specialists.
The team was led by Dr Allan Ravi Rajagopal and Dr Aziz Sabbir Husain, who used a surgical microscope to ensure the reattachment procedure was carried out with precision.
HKL’s neurosurgery team also assisted in the treatment procedure to address head injuries sustained by Lance Corporal Thierry Rodger Fendy.
The medical team’s success has given the officer hope for recovery while highlighting the capabilities of Malaysia’s medical specialists in managing serious injuries.
Astro AWANI