TAWAU: A police officer has been detained to facilitate investigations into an accidental shooting that wounded a fellow officer during an operation in Ba Zhong last Friday.
The investigation centres on the handling of a firearm during a struggle that broke out as officers attempted to apprehend a foreigner who tried to flee. The case is being investigated under Section 37 of the Arms Act 1960.
Advertisement
Acting Tawau District Police Chief Supt Champin Piuh confirmed this, saying the injured officer — identified as Corporal Mohamad Halim Annuar Mohd Reduwan, 38, attached to Tawau police station — had undergone surgery at Tawau Hospital on Sunday.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun visited the injured corporal at the hospital, accompanied by Champin and Sabah Contingent Internal Security and Public Order Department Chief SAC Datuk Abdul Fuad Abdul Malek.
“During the visit, Jauteh also offered words of encouragement and moral support, urging him to remain strong throughout his recovery. The visit reflects the commitment of the Sabah Contingent’s top leadership in looking after the welfare of its personnel, while boosting the morale and motivation of the police force, particularly in Tawau,” said Champin.
He added that the foreigner, in his 30s, is currently receiving follow-up treatment in the Orthopaedic Ward alongside the injured corporal. The suspect, referred to as the person under arrest (OYKT), now faces five separate investigations.
In addition to the obstruction charge under Section 186 of the Penal Code for resisting arrest, he is also being investigated under Section 25(1)(o) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007) for allegedly possessing another person’s identity card without authorisation, and under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 for being in the country without valid identification documents.
Two further investigation papers have been opened relating to possession of syabu and drug abuse activity under Sections 12(2) and 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The incident happened at 10.45am when two officers conducting beat and crime prevention patrol stopped a vehicle along Jalan Persisiran Pantai.
The individual in the car tried to flee on foot, leading officers on a chase to the Bazhong Commercial Centre where he was eventually apprehended after a struggle.
During the commotion, one officer allegedly fired a single round that passed through the suspect’s left hand and struck the right thigh of another officer who had arrived to assist.
