Malaysian police kill 5, hold 200 in crime crackdown

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Malaysian police said they killed five suspected gang members in a shootout early Monday and arrested 200 people in a crackdown on a spate of violent crime that has shocked the country.

Police had launched the nationwide anti-crime push Saturday following a growing public outcry over lawlessness that for the past month has seen near-daily shootings and other violence.

Critics blame the national police force, which is widely viewed as corrupt and unprofessional. Malaysians have complained for years about a perceived surge in burglaries, robberies, and purse-snatching. The vast majority of crimes have gone unsolved.

National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar told reporters that five gang suspects were killed in an exchange of fire early Monday when police moved in on their hideout in Penang. 200 suspects have also been rounded up nationwide.

Police are employing a previously little-used law, which Khalid said would allow them to detain suspects for up to 72 hours for investigation without a court order.

Known for its beach resorts, multicultural Penang has experienced several of the recent shootings, some in broad daylight.