PUTRAJAYA: The government will enhance training for security guards and auxiliary police officers stationed at shopping malls following the recent Setia Alam mall shooting, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has announced.
Recognizing the urgent need to bolster security measures, the minister emphasized that current training modules for security personnel—provided by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)—must be updated to reflect modern security challenges.
“It is time for us to enhance the training syllabus to meet evolving security threats. I will instruct the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razaruddin Husain and Deputy IGP Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay to review this matter,” he said at a press conference following the Home Ministry’s monthly meeting on Monday (Feb 10).
The move comes after a male cleaner at a Setia Alam shopping mall was shot and injured on Saturday (Feb 8). The victim, a foreign national in his 30s, suffered gunshot wounds to his leg and buttocks. He is now in stable condition at Shah Alam Hospital, according to Selangor Police Chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan.
Enhanced Security Measures in Public Spaces
Initial investigations revealed that the suspect—a local man—arrived at the mall around 10 PM, approached the victim, and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin stressed that security firms and auxiliary police personnel already undergo police-supervised training, but recent incidents suggest a need for reassessment.
“Given the nature of such incidents, we must review whether current training adequately prepares security personnel for real-world threats in public areas,” he said.
While police officers routinely patrol commercial areas, he noted that private security firms play a crucial role in ensuring safety at business premises. As a result, the Home Ministry will engage with security industry associations to evaluate and strengthen their security protocols.
Swift Police Action & Firearm Regulations
The Home Minister also commended the police for their swift response to the Setia Alam shooting, highlighting their ability to quickly profile and identify the suspect.
“If our police force were inefficient, we would still be searching for the suspect. Instead, we managed to identify him in record time, including uncovering his criminal history,” he said.
Addressing concerns over firearm access, Saifuddin reiterated that Malaysia maintains strict gun control laws, ensuring that only licensed individuals can own firearms.
“No one can legally possess a firearm without a valid licence. The process is highly stringent, with multi-level vetting by Bukit Aman and the Home Ministry. Many applications are rejected, and only a handful are approved under exceptional circumstances,” he explained.
As an example, he cited fruit orchard owners in remote areas who require firearms for self-defense against wildlife threats. Even in such cases, approvals remain extremely limited and undergo rigorous screening.
The Home Ministry’s renewed focus on security training aims to prevent similar incidents and enhance public safety across Malaysia’s commercial and public spaces.
