Penang police ask public to stop speculating on shooting incident

Penang police have asked the people to stop speculating on last Thursday's shooting incident at the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in which three people were killed and five injured.

State Police chief Datuk Abdul Ghafar Rajab, when contacted by Bernama, said the shooting was an isolated incident triggered by a mentally unstable person.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had confirmed that the assailant, who was a bodyguard of slain Datuk Ong Teik Kwang, was mentally unstable, he said.

"So, don't link the shooting to gang activity," he added.

Abdul Ghafar also denied that the police had confirmed Ong's purported link to any gang activity as was reported.

"The reports are misleading. We have never confirmed Ong's link to any gang. The public has to understand that there are certain things that the police cannot release for security reasons," he said.

Abdul Ghafar also said that the police were not involved in vetting prior to conferment of "Datukship" and that they only vetted fellow police officers who had been selected for the award.

Following the killing of Ong, a businessman and club owner who was also known as Datuk M (M for 'muda' or young), many had asked how Ong could have landed the title following his alleged past criminal records.

Three people, including Ong, were killed and five others were injured in the shooting last Thurday. One of the injured was RTM cameraman Muhamad Amirul Amin Amir, 27.

Muhamad Amirul and the others were passing by the area when they were shot at random.

The assailant and another suspect have been remanded by the police until Friday to assist the investigation. The police have seized the gun used in the shooting. -- BERNAMA