Kedah CPO assures transparent probe into case of pillion rider allegedly shot by traffic policeman

ALOR SETAR: Police investigation into a traffic cop who allegedly shot a pillion rider here will be carried out in a professional and transparent manner.

The assurance came from Kedah police chief Datuk Zainuddin Yaacob (pic), who said he would ensure no parties would be mistreated in the investigation.

He said the case was being investigated for obstructing public servants in discharging their duty, attempted murder and reckless and dangerous driving.

During the 10am incident on Wednesday (June 19), plumber Mohamad Alif Aiman Anuar, 21, was shot in his left arm while riding pillion on a motorcycle ridden by his friend Zulhilmi Azri, 22.

They were on their way to their workplace in Alor Mengkudu.

The rider was said to have beaten the red light at a traffic light junction while travelling along Taman Pelangi in Jalan Kuala Kedah.

Comm Zainuddin said the traffic policeman who saw the incident gave chase on his motorcycle, and told the rider to pull over which he refused despite being told to do so.

"The motorcyclist rode dangerously on the road and even beat several red lights along the way.

"In their haste to escape, the rider rode in a dangerous manner and even wanted to knock down the traffic policeman.

"We learnt that the rider was trying to knock down the policeman who was pursuing him.

"The traffic policeman fired at the rear tyre in his bid to stop them seeing that the rider was endangering the lives of others on the road.

"The policeman only realised the pillion rider had been shot upon inspection," Comm Zainuddin said on Friday (June 21).

Alif, who underwent an eight-hour surgery to have the bullet removed, is now reported to be in stable condition and warded at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.

His mother Hashimah Mahmood, 49, said Alif could now be left with a disabled left arm after the incident as the gunshot had ruptured one of the veins in his left arm.

She said there were also damaged nerves around the gunshot wound.

"We were told it is risky to completely remove everything from the wound as there are still bullet pieces stuck in between the bones. It must be done step by step," she said.

While admitting it was her son's fault to escape from police, Hashimah said the police should not have fired at them.

"My son does not have any criminal record and he didn't carry any weapons at that time besides working tools," she said.