First P’pang police dialogue with firearm owners
Published on: Wednesday, February 26, 2020
By: Oswald Supi
PENAMPANG: Penampang District Police Chief DSP Mohd Harris Ibrahim assured on Tuesday that the district is peaceful without any threat to public order despite the ongoing political transition.
He said the police would always conduct surveillance to ensure security and public order.
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“There is no special instruction from the Inspector-General of Police,” he said, when answering a question after conducting their first dialogue with firearm licence holders, here, Monday afternoon.
The dialogue was aimed to deliver instructions and discuss issues and problems pertaining to firearms to avoid any misunderstanding and to obtain feedback in order to improve their services.
“Overall, there were no major problems as all the 607 firearm licence holders understood their responsibilities,” he said, thanking them for their attendance and commitment.
Harris said the records also showed no case of abuse or misuse of firearms in the district.
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“However, 90 firearms of all types are being kept by the police for temporary safekeeping as per the law since 2001,” he added.
He urged the media to inform the owners to initiate the process to reclaim them, and give them 90 days from Monday, otherwise the licence will be cancelled and the firearms disposed.
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“The fees for the safekeeping will be waived because the store in the small police station is already full,” he said, adding that the firearms belonged to individuals, businessmen and companies.
During his briefing, Harris informed that his KPI is seven days for firearms permit to carry outstation and for purchase of ammunitions, to be processed twice per month, i.e. first and second week, while introducing his new licensing officer Inspector Arisanti.
On the annual renewal of licences in June, he requested all licensees to attend a shooting exercise on a fixed date at the shooting range.
He also reminded them about the conditions as contained in a booklet such as the licence can be terminated if:
l Original purpose of licence has already lapsed, such as protection of crops but land already sold;
l Firearms used for other purposes other than stated in the licence;
l Not kept in a safe place as per what is reasonable;
l Firearms owned by someone who has no licence to use it;
l Firearms carried by someone drunk or acting improperly;
l Owners allowed others without “carry and use” licence to use firearms;
l Owners sell firearms to others without a licence;
l Firearms used to commit any kind of offence;
l Any other violation of conditions as per the Firearms Act;
l Police Chief can suspend or not renew at any time; and
l Renewal can be rejected if not submitted by July.
“Many have submitted their firearm licence renewals via agents but at least do not forget to sign the forms,” Harris said, because it looked as if they were not keen to have the licence.
“Owners who leave the country for more than three months should let their firearms be kept by a licensed relative or kept at the police station.
“If the firearm is kept at the police station for more than six months, it shows the firearm is not needed anymore and thus the licence can be terminated.”
Harris said the police must also be informed of change of residence so that the file can be transferred to the relevant police station.
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