Cops say loopholes still letting minors purchase sharp weapons online

SHAH ALAM – Police acknowledge there are still enforcement gaps in preventing minors from buying sharp weapons online, allowing teenagers to gain access to such items.

Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said although several e-commerce platforms had tightened restrictions on the sale of sharp weapons and the government was introducing legislation related to social media access for minors, comprehensive enforcement would take time to be fully implemented.

“In my view, we are still in the process of ensuring those under the age limit do not have access, in line with the government’s intention through the introduction of new legislation.

“During this transition period, there may be loopholes that allow suspects to obtain such weapons online,” he said at a press conference at the Selangor Police Contingent Headquarters here on Thursday.

Earlier, it was reported that a 15-year-old student who allegedly stabbed a schoolmate in Banting, Kuala Langat, had purchased the weapon online.

Meanwhile, Shazeli dismissed claims that police visits and patrols at schools across Selangor had been reduced, leading to incidents such as stabbings on school grounds.

He said School Liaison Officers (PPS) and patrol teams had continued monitoring schools since directives were issued by the Inspector-General of Police last year, with no reduction in patrols.

“In fact, in Selangor, police visits and patrols at schools have been very encouraging and continue to increase. There is no question of patrols being reduced or carried out merely as a routine.

“In this case, the suspect may have taken advantage of an opportunity. However, to claim that police have reduced patrols is untrue. This has also been acknowledged by the Selangor State Education Department,” he said.

He said police had also maintained close cooperation with the Selangor State Education Department at both the contingent and district levels to share information on school security.

“However, there may have been slight delays in the dissemination of information,” he added.