GEORGE TOWN: The people should support police action and initiatives in fighting crime, said Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa) president, Datuk Dr Jacob George.
Drastic action by police in shooting dead five criminals should not be questioned and politicised.
He said the operation in Penang on Monday was done according to standard operating procedures (SOP).
“Those shot dead are hardcore criminals and the police could not use soft tactic to arrest them.
“They could be in possession of sophisticated weapons. Either you kill them or they kill you.
“Why condemn the police action without knowing the real situation. The policemen put their lives on the line to confront these criminals.
“I believe the police did a thorough investigation and have official data before carrying out the operation,” he told Bernama when responding to criticism from certain quarters that the police action did not follow the SOP.
Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi yesterday denied allegations from family members of the five gangsters killed that the police did not follow the SOP.
The five gangsters killed were believed to be hired killers wanted for murder and attempted murder in Penang, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan.
George said the police acted correctly and the people should respond positively in the fight against gangsterism and drug trafficking.
“Certain quarters alleged the police of power abuse. If indeed the police abused power, show (proof) in a professional way.
“Matters involving national security must not be politicised. Do not sell out our country because of personal interest,” he added. — Bernama