SERI ISKANDAR, Jan 26 — The star of a local reality TV show is being investigated under the Arms Act 1960 after he was allegedly caught on video firing a shotgun in public.
The 48-second video clip that has spread on social media shows a man resembling Fear Factor Malaysia Season 1 winner Hairul Azreen Idris firing two shots into the air using a firearm allegedly belonging to the man next to him — said to be his 70-year-old uncle.
“We have taken a statement from the actor’s uncle yesterday and he was released on the same day.
“And today we will take a statement from the actor,” district police chief Superintendent Mohamad Zainal Abdullah told a news conference here.
He said police took action as the video was creating anxiety among internet users.
Mohamad Zainal also said initial investigation showed the incident happened last July and has been in circulating online shortly after it was uploaded to popular video-sharing site YouTube.
He said the actor’s uncle is licensed to own the gun for the purpose of preventing threats such as wild animals from destroying his crops.
“The actor’s uncle said that the nephew and him claimed that they wanted to shoot a monkey in the trees behind their house.
“However, the actor did not own any licence and firing in a public place is an offence,” the senior policeman said.
He added that police have confiscated the shotgun which is a SK 500 model, 29 bullets worth around RM10,000 and the gun licence from the actor’s uncle.
The case is being investigated under Section 8 (a), 8 (b), 39 and 41 of the Arms Act 1960.
Section 8 states that it is illegal for a person to own or bear arms and ammunition without an arms licence or arms permit and can be punished with jail up to seven years, a maximum fine of RM10,000, or both if convicted.
Section 39 prohibits civilians from discharging arms in public without prior written permission from the state police chief except at permitted places like a shooting range; or for protection of life or property; or authorised hunting of wildlife.
Section 41 states that those found in abetment of those who discharge the arms shall be liable to the same penalty as if he had committed the offence, if convicted.
