IPOH, Jan 28 — A 54-year-old assemblyman is being investigated by police for allegedly discharging his firearm at an Orang Asli settlement near Gerik, about 150km north of here.
Datuk Mohd Tarmizi Idris, the three-term Kenering assemblyman, allegedly fired a shot during a visit to Kampung Sungai Papan and Kampung Air Laba on Jan 19.
Perak Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Goh Kok Liang confirmed that the investigation was being carried out under Section 39 of the Arms Act 1960.
“The investigation is being carried out after a report was lodged at the Subang Jaya police station in Selangor on Tuesday night,” he said yesterday.
Five men from Kampung Sungai Papan and Kampung Air Laba, which are Temiar settlements, lodged the report at about 11.45pm.
They claimed Mohd Tarmizi had fired his gun without any reasonable excuse or grounds.
They alleged that Mohd Tarmizi fired the shot after he visited a mini dam constructed at Kampung Air Laba by the Orang Asli villagers with the help of Perak DAP.
The villagers claimed they had gone to the Gerik police district headquarters three times to lodge a police report but were not successful.
They also said they were mistreated by the policemen on duty.
On the allegation that Gerik police refused to accept their report, Goh said, “Police cannot stop or block any report lodged by any member of the public.
“If it is found that a breach of standard compliance procedures had taken place, we will definitely investigate those involved.”
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir declined to comment.
He said he would leave the matter to the police and urged all sides to await the outcome of the investigation against Mohd Tarmizi as well as the personnel at the Gerik police district.
Mohd Tarmizi could not be reached for comment.
