12 arrested over missing shotguns in Selama - IGP

Twelve individuals were apprehended to assist police investigations in the case of 26 missing shotguns belonging to the Selama District’s Malaysian Voluntary Department (Rela) in Perak earlier this month.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said following the arrests, police found 11 shotguns after checks were conducted, while the remaining guns have yet to be returned.

According to him, among them were a department officer believed to be the one responsible for selling the guns while the rest are buyers, also believed to be Rela members.

“I confirmed that 26 shotguns were missing although initially 44 were reported missing. However, after a follow-up check, we found that only 26 were unaccounted for and we manage to recover 11 of those.

"We will arrest a few others in Selangor and I advise those who purchased these weapons to return them to the police," said Khalid.

Commenting further, Khalid said the police have identified the remaining individuals and will conduct investigations under the Firearms Act 1971.

He added that the police will carry out audits and checks on all government agencies that were granted firearms licence to ensure they do not use unregistered weapons.

Asked if these firearms are sold overseas, Khalid denied such allegations and assured that the weapons sold are only within the local market.

He was commenting on the arrest of several individuals in Kedah and Perak who were alleged to have been involved in the sales and purchase of 26 shotguns that went missing from the district Rela office.