PETALING JAYA: Do security companies offering bodyguard services carry out a background check on clients to ascertain they are not involved in illegal activities?

Criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy who raised the matter yesterday told theSun that due diligence should be performed by security companies to ensure their bodyguards or armed escorts are not providing personal safety services to criminals or those undertaking illegal activities.

“The bodyguards are often equipped with firearms and security companies should vet their clients and not simply accept every work request as long as they get paid for it. It would be immoral for them to do so.

“Moreover, the firearms are usually licensed to the security company and not the bodyguards. We should also raise questions if the bodyguards are well-trained to handle handguns and situations that warrant them to discharge it.” said the former associate professor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Penang.

Sundramoorthy referred to Wednesday’s case of two bodyguards, one who was armed with a pistol who were assaulted by a 43-year-old businessman who had hired them from a security company.

Following his arrest by police, the businessman turned out to be a suspected loanshark and illegal gambling operator.

The matter was also raised by several netizens in the social media where they urged the relevant authorities to reprimand security companies that allow their bodyguards to work for those operating shady businesses.

This article first appeared on theSun Daily.