“The psychological well-being of security personnel shouldn’t be overlooked,” said MCPF Vice-President Lee Lam Thye in a comment on a news report regarding a training requirement for bodyguards.
Home Affairs Secretary-General Alwi Ibrahim was recently quoted as saying that all personal security guards would, from next year onwards, be required to undergo special training to qualify for the annual renewal of the firearms licence. He also said the guards must be commissioned by the Royal Malaysian Police.
“It’s good that the Home Affairs Ministry has made it mandatory for bodyguards to undergo training,” Lee said in an interview with FMT.
“But a psychological evaluation is as important as the training. Those who carry firearms should be subjected to an evaluation because a lapse in behaviour can result badly, like in the recent incident in Penang, where several people were shot.”
Lee also said bodyguards should be subjected to random drug checks.
“The psychological evaluation and the drug tests might cost the security company, but it’s better to be safe,” he added.