VIDEO | 2:21 mins

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar today opened fire on those who cast aspersions on the fatal shooting of five suspected criminals in Penang on Monday.

Denying that the police had a shoot-to-kill policy, Khalid said: "When police personnel died in Lahad Datu defending the nation, we were accused of staging a drama.

"When shooting cases became rampant, we were accused of sitting on our butts and not doing anything to (curb the violence).

"And when criminals are shot dead, we are accused of being overzealous and cruel. What charade are these people (the critics) playing?"

Khalid said this was an issue that concerned public security and that the police were serious in battling crime.

"We don't care what the critics say. We have a duty to carry out, and we will carry it out to ensure that Malaysians are safe (from crime)," he stressed.

NONEYesterday, Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia chief and deputy minister P Waythamoorthy (left) questioned the shootings in Penang.

Waythamoorthy said he saw photographs of the dead men and based on these, it was difficult to believe that there had been an exchange of fire.

"Looking at the photographs, I do not think anyone with the right frame of mind would believe that there was actually a shoot-out between the police team and the suspects,” he had said.

Disputing this, Khalid reiterated that the police had returned fire in self-defence.    

"There is no such policy of shoot-to-kill. Who told you there is a shoot-to-kill policy? We only shoot to defend ourselves," he said.

“Well, they can take any action they wish to, I also notice some calls for an inquiry.

“Go ahead, we are okay with it. Anything according to the law is acceptable,” Khalid responded when asked about the threat by the families to sue the police force.