The police do not put a time frame for Ops Cantas Khas which will be extended to include other crimes, not only violent crimes.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the operation will continue as long as there are criminals who act violently thus requiring firm action.

"No time frame has been set for Ops Cantas Khas. As long as society has a fear of crime, we will continue because the operation has been been effective.

"We will expand it to cover activities such as ah long, distribution of pirated VCD and drug trafficking," he told reporters after visiting Yan police district headquarters here today.

Khalid said the proposal to enhance and expand Ops Cantas Khas is to ensure that Malaysia becomes a safer place for the people.

"We do not want our people to live in fear. Feedback on this operation received via Facebook and Twitter shows strong support."

He said the police are ready to use the Prevention of Crime Act (Amendment and Extension) 2013 after it was passed by Dewan Negara on Thursday.

"Those involved with violent crimes are running out of time. When gazetted, we will use it against criminals, especially those involved with organised crime."

Asked about the negative perception of some people that the police are 'trigger happy,' he said the policemen opened fire to defend themselves.

"We are not trigger happy but shot dead the criminals as they had firearms and weapons. The gang members killed are violent, hardcore and did not hesitate to use weapons.

"All our operations were based on the information and intelligence reports received," he added.