Hisham: Virtual firing range to help youths understand guns, police

By Yow Hong Chieh

January 25, 2012

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 — Rela Youth cadets will soon be able to sharpen their marksmanship skills at a RM6.56 million high-tech virtual shooting range, where they will handle simulation firearms.

The simulation centre at the Rakan Muda Complex here can cater to up to 14,400 trainees a year and aims to “foster youth interest in security and public order issues through the activity of shooting”.

Soldiers undergo training with a virtual shooting range. — ng.mil pic

The virtual firing range will run on South Korea’s Intelligent Marksmanship Training Simulation System (IMTS), said to be two generations more advanced than similar systems used in the US.

 

It is understood that there are over 40 such ranges in South Korea, which are used to train its police force.

IMTS was purchased for RM5.15 million, while upgrading works for the complex cost RM1.5 million.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he hoped trainees would be able to better understand the pressures of being a policeman when faced with a life-or-death scenario.

“Maybe the youths will see how difficult it is for the authorities to carry out their duties when faced with certain situations so they won’t easily point fingers and accuse the police in certain cases,” he told reporters after visiting the centre.

“I ask those who accuse the police (of wrongful shooting) ... to come to this centre. They can see for themselves what they will do when faced with the choice of shoot or be killed. It’s not easy to make such a decision.”

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Shabeery Cheek, who was also present, said the simulation firing range is safer than a real one as lasers and not bullets would be used.

He said the centre can also stay open for longer hours than outdoor firing ranges, the use of which is subject to the weather, and can be maintained more easily with fewer personnel.

Shabeery also explained that the server used to power the simulation could later be hooked up to other virtual shooting centres, saving money in the long run.

“It may cost more at first but later it’ll be cheaper,” he said, stressing that the cost saved on ammunition alone would be substantial.

Those who complete their training on the simulator can then go on to test their skills at a real firing range, he also said.

A virtual war games module will also be added to the simulation centre in future to teach trainees about tactics.