A video showing a Malaysian state Chief Minister shooting a\nsacrificial cow with a rifle during Eid al-Adha has gone viral, sparking\nsignificant controversy and a police investigation. Authorities are now\nscrutinising the official\u2019s actions following public criticism regarding\nthe use of firearms during religious ceremonies.<\/p>\n
According to reports, police in Perlis\u2014a small northern state in\nMalaysia bordering Thailand\u2014seized the rifle allegedly used by Chief\nMinister Abu Bakar Hamzah in Kuala Perlamis on Thursday, 28 May. Police\nalso confiscated nine bullets and have requested a statement from Abu\nBakar after a 38-second video circulated widely on social media. Kangar\nPolice Chief Yusharifuddin Mohd Yusop confirmed that a police report\nregarding the incident was received on Saturday, 30 May.<\/p>\n
Although Abu Bakar holds a valid firearm licence, police are\ninvestigating the case under Section 39 of the Malaysian Arms Act 1960,\nwhich regulates the use of firearms in public places. Violations of this\nregulation can result in up to one year in prison, a maximum fine of\n2,000 ringgit (US$504), or both.<\/p>\n
Abu Bakar defended his actions, claiming the sacrificial cow had\nescaped and become aggressive during the procession. \u201cI did not shoot\nthe cow for fun. The cow became aggressive,\u201d he stated, as quoted by\nFree Malaysia Today. \u201cIf we had left it and the cow had gored someone to\ndeath, who would have been responsible?\u201d<\/p>\n
Abu Bakar further explained that he aimed at the cow\u2019s leg to\nimmobilise the animal before it was slaughtered. In a social media post,\nhe also noted that he had slaughtered 25 cows during this year\u2019s Eid\nal-Adha. \u201cThe shot was aimed at the upper thigh area with the intention\nof disabling the cow\u2019s movement, not to kill it,\u201d he wrote, as reported\nby local newspaper The Star.<\/p>\n
The incident has divided public opinion in Malaysia. Some netizens\nviewed Abu Bakar\u2019s actions as excessive and dangerous, while others\nbelieved the move was necessary for public safety. Concerns were also\nraised regarding the halal status of the meat. In response, the Mufti of\nPerlis, Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, explained that livestock that are too\ndangerous or difficult to capture may be shot or subdued before\nslaughter, according to local media reports.<\/p>\n
However, Jelutong Member of Parliament, Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer (RSN\nRayer), criticised the Chief Minister, questioning why a firearm was\nbrought to a religious event. \u201cThe viral video clearly shows the cow\nstanding in an open area. No one is seen near the cow. The cow was\nstanding still and was not attacking anyone or the crowd,\u201d Rayer said in\na statement on Saturday. He urged the police to investigate and\npotentially arrest the Perlis leader.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the police have requested that the public refrain from\nspeculation and warned that they will take action against any activities\nthat disturb public order.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/viral-video-of-official-shooting-sacrifice-cow-triggers-police-investigation-1780880229", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }