Farmer held for making, possessing firearms
PENAMPANG: After 15 years of possessing and making firearms, the activities of a man in Kampung Kibunut here was put to an end by the police.
Penampang police chief Deputy Superintendant Mohd Haris Ibrahim said the suspect, a 46year-old farmer, was brought into custody following a raid on his home at around 1.37 am on June 8.
According to Haris, the police confiscated three homemade shotguns or ‘bakakuk’ in the raid, along with 184 bullets measuring 5.56 mm, a live bullet, six bullet cartridges, one M16 shell and six bakakuk components.
“The suspect is believed to have made the weapon for personal use on his farm and also for hunting.
“However, we are still conducting investigations and there is a possibility the suspect was selling the homemade guns,” said Haris.
He told a press conference at the Penampang district headquarters that the suspect worked with a cleaning contractor for a safety agency.
He said while carrying out his cleaning duties, the suspect is believed to have found the bullets and stole them.
The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Weapons Act 1960, which carries a maximum jail sentence of seven years or a fine up to RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
Haris added that the suspect does not have a criminal record and will be further remanded to assist with investigations.