Discharging firearm in public a serious offence, says MP

PETALING JAYA: An MP has questioned whether Perlis menteri besar Abu Bakar Hamzah is aware that discharging a firearm in public is a serious offence, and also asked if Abu Bakar owns a firearm licence.

Abu Bakar had told FMT today that he shot a sacrificial cow during an Aidiladha ceremony on Wednesday after it went berserk, and did so to ensure public safety.

However, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer said in a statement: “Even if Abu Bakar has a licence, does he not know that discharging a firearm in a public place is a serious offence? Even brandishing or displaying a firearm in a public place is a serious offence under the Arms Act, both offences punishable with imprisonment.”

Kangar police chief Yusharifuddin Yusop said Abu Bakar will be summoned to provide a statement over the incident. He also said police are looking into the type of firearm and ammunition used, reported Berita Harian.

A viral video showing Abu Bakar shooting the cow with a rifle has drawn criticism from netizens, who questioned whether the use of a firearm was necessary and if the act complied with religious procedures for Aidiladha sacrifices in Perlis.

In response, Abu Bakar said he did not shoot the cow “for fun”, adding that 24 other cows at the ceremony were slaughtered according to normal procedures.

المصدر: Free Malaysia Today