Lee Lam Thye calls for better police training, protective gear

KUALA LUMPUR: The safety of police personnel must be prioritised through better training, protective equipment and operational procedures amid growing concerns over violent behaviour in society, said Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

He said the recent parang attack on a policeman, which left lance corporal Thierry Rodger anak Fendy with a severed hand, highlighted the risks faced by law enforcement personnel in carrying out their duties.

Lee expressed concern over the incident and wished the policeman a speedy recovery, while commending the medical team for successfully reattaching his hand.

"The policeman should also receive comprehensive rehabilitation, including physical and occupational therapy, to maximise the recovery of his hand function and help him resume his duties safely, subject to medical assessment.

"Policemen must remain vigilant, alert and conscious of the risks they face, particularly when dealing with potentially violent people.

"The police force must also ensure that adequate training, protective equipment and operational safety procedures are in place," he said in a statement.

Lee described the growing trend of violent behaviour in society as a serious concern, warning that attacks involving weapons and extreme aggression must not be allowed to become normalised.

He called for stronger enforcement, effective preventive measures and greater public awareness to address the problem.

"We must protect those who protect us. The safety of our police personnel and the wider community must remain a shared national priority," he said.

On Wednesday, a mobile patrol vehicle unit policeman from the Gombak police headquarters had his right hand severed after being slashed by a foreigner.

Doctors at Kuala Lumpur Hospital later successfully reattached the hand following an eight-hour surgery.