The Malaysian Bar is urging a thorough investigation into the fatal police shooting of a 21-year-old man in Seremban, a suspect in a kidnapping case in Klang, Selangor. The incident occurred on April 14, 2025, following a car chase that ended when the suspect crashed into a police vehicle.
The Bar while acknowledging reports that a pistol and machete were found in the suspect’s car, also notes the suspect’s lack of prior criminal record. The Bar emphasises that the loss of life should not be taken lightly and that the use of lethal force must always be justified and proportionate. They stress the importance of upholding the right to life, as enshrined in Malaysia’s Federal Constitution, and assert that even suspected criminals are entitled to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.
This tragic incident highlights a recurring pattern of police claims that weapons were found in the possession of deceased individuals following fatal shootings. In the case of Aminulrasyid Amzah, the then-Selangor police chief, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, had alleged that the 14-year-old had criminal links, and that a parang was found in the car. However, the Court of
Appeal later held that it was not proven how the parang came to be in the car, and found Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar liable for malfeasance.
This pattern must be addressed, as it raises concerns about accountability and erodes public trust in the police. The Malaysian Bar calls for greater transparency in police operations, particularly in cases involving the use of lethal force, and urges that all facts surrounding such incidents be made public.
Statistics on police shootings in Malaysia point to a deeply worrying trend. In 2024, there were 35 police shooting incidents across 11 states involving 75 individuals — 36 of whom were killed — marking a sharp rise in fatalities and a broader geographic spread compared to 2023. 3 For the year 2025, as of today, the Malaysian Bar said it has found six reported cases of police shootings.
The Malaysian Bar is calling for a full and independent review of the circumstances surrounding the shooting to ensure that all actions taken by law enforcement officers adhered to established protocols and fundamental principles of justice.
