ALOR SETAR: Two of the seven suspects arrested in connection with a shooting incident involving the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) Bukit Kayu Hitam commander, were found to have gunshot residue, say the police.
Kedah police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said the residue was found on the suspects’ hands and cheeks.
He said it 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.
“Investigations also showed that they did not possess licences to own firearms,” he told a press conference, Bernama reported.
Of the seven suspects, aged between 22 and 52, one is a Thai woman.
They were picked up in a series of raids in Bukit Kayu Hitam and Padang Besar, Perlis, on the day of the incident between 10.30am and 6pm.
“Four of them have prior criminal records involving serious offences,” he said.
DCP Adzli said all suspects have been remanded for between two and four days to assist in investigations.
The woman, who is in her 30s has been remanded for 14 days under the Immigration Act to verify the authenticity of her identification documents.
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. 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 Feb 25, a Proton X70 driven by Senior Asst Comm Mohd Nasaruddin Mohd Nasir was fired upon at about 5.40am at the slip road leading to Masjid Al-Muhajirin in Bukit Kayu Hitam, around 1km from the Malaysia-Thailand border.
Two suspects on a motorcycle reportedly discharged two rounds, believed to have been fired from a semi-automatic weapon, at the victim’s vehicle.
