KUALA LUMPUR: Loss of firearms and failure to renew licence to carry are among the issues that have been highlighted for the Home Ministry, according to the 2022 Auditor-General's report.
In the Auditor General report's executive summary, it had recommended that the Home Ministry should take stringent actions to those officers that have lost their firearms for negligence and seize firearms for those who failed to renew their licence to carry.
"Overall, the management and supervision of firearms in the departments and agencies under KDN are less satisfactory.
"There are weaknesses in the formulation of policies regarding the norms of firearms and ammunition and there have been cases of lost firearms belonging to the departments and agencies under KDN," it said.
Based on the initial report of asset loss, the report said loss of firearms belonging to departments and agencies is attributed to the fact that the firearms were not properly holstered or equipped with a lanyard as stipulated in the department/agency regulations/directives.
"Lost firearms could be vulnerable to misuse if found by unauthorised individuals," it said.
According to the report, all agencies under the Home Ministry had responded to the Auditor General office with appropriate measures.
On loss of firearms, the report found that as of Dec 31, 2022, a total of 25 individuals/companies had not renewed firearm licences that had expired, involving 70 firearms.
"Further investigation revealed that all of these firearms are still in the possession of the respective individuals/companies," it said.
The report also said that the police have taken action by issuing warning letters to all 25 licence holders, urging them to renew their licences.
However, the report highlighted that no follow-up actions were taken by the PDRM after the issuance of the warning letters to ensure that the licence holders renew their licences and said failure to renew licences may result in the unauthorised use of firearms.
"Following the Audit's warning, the police have taken action against the 25 individuals/companies involved. Licences for 11 individuals/companies have been revoked, and the firearms have been surrendered to the PDRM, while seven licence holders have renewed their licences.
"However, seven licence holders still have not renewed their licences, and the firearms are still in their possession despite the warnings given," the report said on police's response dated July 17, 2023.