Comedian Badul's commando son dies from live bullet discharged during demo

KOTA KINABALU: An army commando, who was the son of veteran actor-comedian A.R. Badul, was killed after a live bullet hit him during an exhibition at the Lok Kawi army camp near here.

Mejar Mohd Zahir Armaya died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here after he was rushed there following the accidental shooting at about 9.20am on Wednesday (Sept 4), sources said.

A post-mortem is being conducted at the hospital.

Mejar Mohd Zahir was taking part in an army exhibition attended by senior army officers in conjunction with the launching of the 13th army brigade and 5th Infantry Division at the Lok Kawi army camp.

Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu expressed his condolences to the family of Mejar Mohd Zahir in a statement issued on the same day.

"I hope the family stays tough in this situation, and we at the Defence Ministry, too, sympathise with their loss.

"I also hope the public will not make any speculations (with regard to the death) until the autopsy is complete as a mark of respect to the family of the deceased," said Mohamad.

Penampang OCPD Deputy Supt Haris Ibrahim declined immediate comment on the incident and will only provide further details on the incident later.

According to family sources, Mejar Mohd Zahir was due to meet his mother, who lives here, after today's event.

He was with the commando unit based in the Sungai Udang army camp in Melaka.