Bystanders could hamper police response to armed suspects, says former IGP

Former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has urged members of the public to keep a safe distance from crime scenes when police officers draw their weapons to confront armed suspects. He explained that bystanders standing too close could cause officers to hesitate, fearing stray bullets might hit innocent people, potentially allowing attackers to act more freely.

The advice comes in the wake of an incident where a police officer's right hand was severed by a parang during an encounter in Desa Aman Puri, Kepong. The presence of numerous people near the officers may have caused them to prioritize public safety over taking down the attacker, allowing the assailant more time to react aggressively.

Musa emphasized that this incident should serve as a cautionary tale for the public, urging people to avoid approaching the scene when police are confronting armed threats. He specifically advised against getting too close to officers with firearms, stating that hesitation could occur if an officer fears hitting someone else. During the November 11 incident, Lance Corporal Thierry Rodger Fendy, 26, was attacked by a foreigner wielding two parangs during a police operation.

The suspect had been reported behaving erratically and causing disturbances earlier in the day. After a police operation started at around 4pm, the attacker fled the scene and was later spotted near a playground between 7:30pm and 8pm. Police opened fire after the man attacked officers and firefighters with a parang again, resulting in his death at Selayang Hospital. The injured officer underwent surgery to reattach his severed hand at Kuala Lumpur Hospital.