KUALA LUMPUR: An old grudge and a turf war between organised crime groups are believed to be the motives behind a shooting outside an entertainment outlet in Bangsar here.
The drama began at 3am on Wednesday when a fight broke out between two groups which then led to shots being fired, said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M. Kumar.
“A gunshot struck a man in the abdomen,” he said, adding that the victim is now in stable condition at a hospital.
Comm Kumar told a press conference yesterday that follow-up investigations and intelligence by the CID led to a raid at a hotel in Klang.
“Two Malaysian men were arrested in the operation within 24 hours of a police report being lodged. Both men, who are in their 20s and 30s, have prior criminal records that include drug-related offences.
“We believe the case has been solved following the arrest of these two suspects,” he said.
Police also seized a pistol with ammunition and an object believed to be a replica of a firearm.
“We think one real gun was found, and the other is being investigated to see if it was used.”
Initial investigations revealed that the shooting came about from a long-standing conflict as well as a turf dispute between the groups involved, Comm Kumar said.
“Police do not rule out the involvement of organised crime groups.”
He also explained that the term “secret societies” is no longer appropriate.
In legal terms, he said that organised crime refers to the involvement of two or more people in serious criminal activities, including violent offences punishable by imprisonment for 10 years or more.
“Even small groups of three to four individuals can be classified as organised crime if these elements are met.”
The suspects have been remanded until April 29 to assist in investigations, which are being carried out under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act and Section 307 of the Penal Code.
Earlier reports about the case stated that the suspects had been involved in a dispute with another group outside a nightclub along Jalan Telawi.
One man allegedly fired several shots into the air and towards the group, while the other brandished a replica firearm.
Both suspects fled the scene soon after that.
