ALOR SETAR: Seven suspects, including a Thai woman, have been arrested in the case where the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) commander's vehicle was shot at.
Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said all suspects, aged from 22 to 52, were arrested in a series of raids in Bukit Kayu Hitam and Padang Besar, Perlis, on the day of the incident between 10.30am and 6pm on Wednesday (Feb 25).
"Investigations revealed that the six men and a woman – the wife of one of the suspects – lived near the scene and knew each other," he said, adding that four suspects have prior criminal records involving serious offences.
"Two suspects had gunshot residue on their hands and cheeks. Investigations also showed that they did not possess licences to own firearms," he told reporters at the Kedah Police Contingent headquarters here on Friday (Feb 27).
He said gunshot residue was also detected on the key and helmet of a motorcycle believed to have been used in the crime, although the weapon itself has yet to be recovered.
Adzli said the married couple, residents of Bukit Kayu Hitam, were picked up near the Padang Besar border checkpoint at 12.30pm while attempting to flee to a neighbouring country.
"All suspects have been remanded for two to four days, while the woman in her 30s has been remanded for 14 days under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 to verify the authenticity of her identification documents.
"The case is being investigated under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, Section 307 of the Penal Code and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63," he said.
He said the shooting could have been an attempt on the AKPS commander's life, possibly motivated by dissatisfaction with enforcement measures that disrupted smuggling operations.
"Several major smuggling attempts had been foiled, including 100 tonnes of rice, pig carcasses and over 100 migrants, resulting in losses exceeding RM1mil. This is believed to have motivated attempts to intimidate and obstruct enforcement.
"We will not retreat and are not intimidated by such threats. Stronger measures will be implemented, including equipping border personnel with bulletproof vests and additional firearms," he added.
On Wednesday, shots were fired at a SUV driven by SAC Mohd Nasaruddin Mohd Nasir at 5.40am on the road leading to Masjid Al-Muhajirin in Bukit Kayu Hitam, around 1km from the Malaysia-Thailand border.
Two suspects on a motorcycle discharged two rounds from a semi-automatic weapon at the vehicle. – Bernama
