KENINGAU: The death of an 11-year-old boy from a gunshot wound to the head and the seizure of 42 unlicensed air rifles in two separate incidents in Sook again highlighted the danger of illegal firearms.
The boy died after being shot with what police believe was a homemade firearm known as a ginsok at a rubber plantation hut in Kampung Mampulut on Oct 10.
The following day, police arrested a 50-year-old oil palm smallholder and seized 42 air rifles of various brands, 456 small boxes of pellets and five camouflage-patterned gun bags.
There is no indication from police that the two cases are connected.
It was the second such fatality involving a young student. Last December, a Form Two student died after he was shot with a homemade firearm, known locally as ‘bakakuk’, while playing with a friend at Jalan Kem PPH in Keningau.
Former District Police Chief Supt Yampil Anak Garai said the 14-year-old victim was playing with a friend at about 8am when the teenager “unintentionally dischared the weapon from a distance of about three metres.”Initial examination of the victim’s body found 14 wounds from an unidentified pellet bullet on the right chest, right arm, as well as right and left knees.
“No other eyewitnesses were present with the victims and the suspect at the time,” he said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Keningau District Police Chief Supt Erwansyah Abdul Basir said police received a report on the fatal shooting at 2.35pm on Saturday.
Preliminary investigations found that the victim was with another child inside the plantation hut before a single shot was fired.
The boy sustained serious head injuries and was rushed to Keningau Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Erwansyah said investigators were working to establish how the suspected homemade firearm was obtained, stored and handled before the tragedy occurred.
He said forensic and ballistic examinations were also being conducted to determine the circumstances of the shooting and whether the suspected weapon was responsible for the fatal injuries.
The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, involving neglect or exposing a child to injury, and Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960 concerning possession, custody or control of firearms without a valid licence or permit.
In a separate operation on Sunday (Oct 11), police uncovered a suspected illegal air-rifle sales operation in Sook.
Erwansyah said a 50-year-old local oil palm smallholder was arrested during Op Laras after failing to produce valid licences or permits for the weapons found in his possession.
Police seized 42 air rifles, 456 small boxes of pellets and five camouflage-patterned gun bags.
“Initial investigations revealed that the suspect is believed to have been selling air rifles at prices ranging from RM350 to RM500 per rifle around the Keningau district,” he said.
“The pellets were believed to be sold at prices between RM30 and RM50 for each pack containing 10 small boxes, and police also seized five camo-patterned gun bags.”Investigators were tracing the source of the weapons and whether the supply network extended beyond Malaysia.
The case is being investigated under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960 for possession of unlicensed firearms.
Police are also examining the possible application of Section 7 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 concerning firearms trafficking.
Police investigations into both cases are continuing.
