KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Prison Department received five complimentary Swiss-made high-tech non-lethal guns which it might be using at a few of its prisons, in a trial-like project to handle aggressive prisoners.
The department's Director-General Datuk Seri Zulkifli Omar said the use of tear guns was an effective precautionary measure in line with the current needs of managing prisoners in prisons.
"It also reduces the risk of injury to the shotgun individuals while bringing the situation under control," he said, describing the gun which was meant to temporarily restrict a person's movement.
The less-lethal, JPX Piexon gun from Fortress Defense Sdn Bhd, was presented to Zulkifli during his walkabout at the defence logistics inventory exhibition in MITEC today.
"If we see now, this weapon may also be used during riots and breakout in a prison," he said.
He said in the past they have only tried out the electric gun which emits shock to temporarily paralyse a person for a few minutes.
"However it can only handle one person at a time, unlike this weapon which is capable of firing up to four individuals at a time, "he said.
Meanwhile, Fortress Defense Sdn Bhd, chief executive officer Carliff Ridzwan Carleel said the "Less Lethal "JPX Piexon gun used a special liquid laced with irritable content which can travel at a speed of 685 kilometers per hour, as far as 23 feet.
"It is tested and safe to be used. However due to other circumstances undiscovered, we have called it 'less lethal' rather than non-lethal. Primarily it only effects the vision and movement, giving those using the weapon time to tie down a person behaving aggressively," he said.