Malaysia govt to review SOP on public gatherings in light of recent crime wave

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said security standard operating procedures on public gatherings and open houses will be reviewed in light of recent brazen violence.

He said plans are afoot to boost security measures, but noted that this would be a challenge as the Malaysian culture is an open one.

“(New security measures) are currently being considered by the government. Some of the SOPs include for example public gatherings, some of our travels, and open house events,” he told reporters after chairing an Umno Supreme Council meeting at the party’s headquarters here.

He said the matter was brought up at the Umno supreme council meeting and that it was agreed that security will be made a high priority.

“We discussed the situation of national security and the latest developments during the meeting and the supreme council is of the opinion that it needs to be a high priority with serious attention from all the parties, be it the government, enforcers or the general public,” he said.

“This come following several incidences such as the kidnappings at sea of eastern Sabah, the smuggling of firearms at the Malaysia-Thailand border and several brazen murders.

“And of course, the most serious threat right now is IS,” he added, referring to the Islamic State terrorist group.

Mr Najib said tightening security is inevitable and that it must be accepted as a “new normal” to prevent untoward incidents.

“If there is any tightening of the rules, I hope the people understand that it is something unavoidable. It is not what the government wants, but the situation now calls for us to make the appropriate adjustments,” he said.

Last month saw the first successful IS-linked attack in Malaysia, where a grenade had injured eight people in Puchong.

There have also been several shootings recently, with the latest victim a 43-year old man who was shot dead by two gunmen in Setapak.

Among other notable cases of late include the July 6 fatal shooting of a real estate agent in the Taman OUG suburb, the shooting of Miri PKR branch secretary Bill Kayong on June 21 in his Sarawak hometown, and a businessman who died after being hit six out of 10 shots fired by an unidentified motorcyclist at the Sungai Rasau toll plaza in Selangor on June 15. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE