Cops forced to open fire on reckless driver - S'wak cops

KUCHING: Police had to open fire on a driver of a car along Jalan Simpang Tiga here last night because he was driving recklessly, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail said.

"At about 7.20 pm at the Jalan Simpang Tiga intersection, Kuching district traffic police opened fire while trying to stop a grey Proton Saga driven in a dangerous manner," he said in a statement today.

He said medical officers later confirmed that the suspect, a local in his mid-20s, died at the scene.

"The case has been classified under Section 307 of the Penal Code and Section 8(a) of the Firearms Act 1960. A detailed investigation will be conducted to complete the investigation papers," he said.

Bernama last night reported that police shot dead a man who attempted to ram his Proton Saga into a police patrol car in Jalan Simpang Tiga.

Several other cars also suffered damage when they were hit by the suspect's car in his attempt to escape.

Meanwhile, Aidi said in order to speed up and complete the investigation, the policemen involved in the incident have been transferred to the administrative division.

"All five of them are from the traffic division of the Kuching District Police Headquarters," he told Bernama when contacted.

-- BERNAMA