Latest news with #Firearms(IncreasedPenalties)Act
The Star
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia's position triggers heightened security against foreign spies, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is taking extra precautions to ensure safety amid its firm stance on geopolitical issues, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said that the country has become a platform for arms smuggling and targets by Mossad agents (Israeli intelligence agency) possibly due to Malaysia's commitment to voice out against atrocities and injustice faced by Palestinians. 'Based on the recent briefing by the Malaysian intelligence body, we have been taking measures to look into this matter. 'This has been proven through the arrest of a Malaysian couple who had worked with Mossad,' he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 22) during the Prime Minister's Question Time. He was responding to a supplementary question by Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) who asked the Prime Minister to explain whether there are measures taken to ensure the safety of the country from the threats of Mossad agents. Anwar said that the country has identified several threats from foreign intelligence agencies and action had been taken. He cited the arrest of a Malaysian couple that was found working with Mossad agents, helping the foreign agents smuggle weapons from Thailand. 'They have been arrested and are serving jail time. I agree that extra measures have also been taken and the Home Ministry is increasing our capabilities to monitor the situation,' he added. Last year, a local married couple was detained for allegedly supplying firearms to the Israeli man who was detained at a hotel in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. It was reported that the couple's main task was to supply the Israeli man with firearms and other logistical needs. They were both charged under the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- The Sun
Smuggling of firearms into Malaysia raising concerns
PETALING JAYA: The smuggling of illegal firearms into the country is raising concerns about gaps in border security, say crime experts. They are calling for investigations into how weapons are entering and moving within the country undetected. The experts were commenting in the wake of two high-profile shootings that rocked Kuala Lumpur within a week. On June 14, a man was killed and two others injured in Brickfields when an unknown gunman opened fire at a restaurant, while on June 17, two men were fatally shot at close range outside a shopping mall in Cheras. Criminologist Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar said key checkpoints, such as those in Sungai Golok and Padang Besar, remain vulnerable due to structural limitations and inadequate inspection systems. 'The border at Sungai Golok alone spans 120km, with 95km of it consisting of river. These stretches have numerous unofficial crossing points. It's difficult to monitor every access route, and that creates opportunities for smuggling,' he told theSun. He added that many Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) facilities are ill-equipped to conduct thorough inspections due to their narrow layouts and lack of specialised scanning equipment. 'When you only have one or two lanes and hundreds of vehicles crossing daily, it's unrealistic to expect 100% checks. The facilities simply aren't built for high-risk screening. 'Even Singapore has completely overhauled its detection systems to specifically scan for firearms smuggling, while ours still lag behind. 'Without tools like firearms scanners or automated systems, officers are severely limited in what they can detect.' Akhbar said enforcement personnel should not be solely blamed as poor working conditions and limited support infrastructure also hinder effective enforcement. He urged the government to prioritise upgrading ICQS systems with modern detection tools and resources. Criminologist Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim said most firearms are smuggled into Malaysia using concealed methods, including hidden cargo compartments, private vehicles or commercial freight. 'Smugglers are resourceful. Some use trucks, others hide weapons in goods. What matters now is tracing each seized weapon back to its source, who supplied it and how it got through.' He said without targeted investigations into firearms supply chains, illegal weapons would continue to flow in. 'It's not enough to recover weapons after the fact. Authorities need to trace the suppliers and dismantle the chain.' Universiti Malaya criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid said despite Malaysia's strict laws under the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act, black market accessibility and legacy weapons still pose significant threats. 'There are already weapons in circulation. Some have been passed down, others stolen or smuggled in. Criminals who want firearms often know exactly where to find them. 'We need a dedicated task force to assess how many weapons are in circulation, which syndicates are trafficking them and how our laws and enforcement systems can be improved. 'It requires expertise in forensics, ballistics and transnational crime. This can't be handled in silos.' Investigations into both the shootings are ongoing.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- The Sun
Experts urge action as illegal guns cross Malaysia's borders
PETALING JAYA: The smuggling of illegal firearms into the country is raising concerns about gaps in border security, say crime experts. They are calling for investigations into how weapons are entering and moving within the country undetected. The experts were commenting in the wake of two high-profile shootings that rocked Kuala Lumpur within a week. On June 14, a man was killed and two others injured in Brickfields when an unknown gunman opened fire at a restaurant, while on June 17, two men were fatally shot at close range outside a shopping mall in Cheras. Criminologist Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar said key checkpoints, such as those in Sungai Golok and Padang Besar, remain vulnerable due to structural limitations and inadequate inspection systems. 'The border at Sungai Golok alone spans 120km, with 95km of it consisting of river. These stretches have numerous unofficial crossing points. It's difficult to monitor every access route, and that creates opportunities for smuggling,' he told theSun. He added that many Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) facilities are ill-equipped to conduct thorough inspections due to their narrow layouts and lack of specialised scanning equipment. 'When you only have one or two lanes and hundreds of vehicles crossing daily, it's unrealistic to expect 100% checks. The facilities simply aren't built for high-risk screening. 'Even Singapore has completely overhauled its detection systems to specifically scan for firearms smuggling, while ours still lag behind. 'Without tools like firearms scanners or automated systems, officers are severely limited in what they can detect.' Akhbar said enforcement personnel should not be solely blamed as poor working conditions and limited support infrastructure also hinder effective enforcement. He urged the government to prioritise upgrading ICQS systems with modern detection tools and resources. Criminologist Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim said most firearms are smuggled into Malaysia using concealed methods, including hidden cargo compartments, private vehicles or commercial freight. 'Smugglers are resourceful. Some use trucks, others hide weapons in goods. What matters now is tracing each seized weapon back to its source, who supplied it and how it got through.' He said without targeted investigations into firearms supply chains, illegal weapons would continue to flow in. 'It's not enough to recover weapons after the fact. Authorities need to trace the suppliers and dismantle the chain.' Universiti Malaya criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid said despite Malaysia's strict laws under the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act, black market accessibility and legacy weapons still pose significant threats. 'There are already weapons in circulation. Some have been passed down, others stolen or smuggled in. Criminals who want firearms often know exactly where to find them. 'We need a dedicated task force to assess how many weapons are in circulation, which syndicates are trafficking them and how our laws and enforcement systems can be improved. 'It requires expertise in forensics, ballistics and transnational crime. This can't be handled in silos.' Investigations into both the shootings are ongoing. Police have yet to confirm any links to organised crime or contract killings.
