Malaysian commando shot dead as live-firing demonstration goes wrong

KOTA KINABALU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - He was an elite commando who would have begun serving as a United Nations peacekeeper in Lebanon in a few weeks' time. Instead, in a live-firing demonstration gone awry at an army camp in Malaysia's Sabah state on Wednesday (Sept 4), he was shot dead by a fellow soldier.

The tragic incident has raised questions about what went wrong.

Major Mohd Zahir Armaya, a 36-year-old father of five, was a son of veteran Malaysian actor-comedian A.R. Badul, 70, and his former second wife, a Sabahan.

Police said they were investigating the case for negligence, while the Malaysian Army said it would form a special committee to probe the incident.

Major Zahir was pronounced dead at the accident and emergency unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu at 9.20am on Wednesday, about an hour after he was shot while participating in a demonstration at the Lok Kawi army camp to mark the launch of the army's Fifth Infantry Division and 13th Infantry Brigade.

It was learnt that as part of the demonstration, Major Zahir, taking on the role of a "criminal", was to shoot at a soldier who would then return fire.

However, the soldier apparently missed his mark and the bullet struck Major Zahir in a spot not protected by a bulletproof vest.

Military medics administered immediate treatment before sending him to the hospital, where he succumbed to the bullet wound.

Amid questions on how the death occurred and the quality of the bulletproof vests used during the demonstration, Major Zahir's grieving 56-year-old mother, Madam Rusunjan Mohammad, identified him at the hospital mortuary.

Police have yet to ascertain all factors behind the death, Penampang police chief Mohd Haris Ibrahim said on Thursday.

He said the police were investigating the case for negligence but were also looking at other aspects such as whether there was any problem with the bulletproof vest, though initial investigations suggested that the bullet hit above the vest.

He added that they may also look at whether there were elements of foul play in the case.

"We hope to wrap up our investigations as fast as possible and to hand over our findings to the Deputy Public Prosecutor's office for further action," he said.

Major Zahir's body was taken to the Lok Kawi army mosque after a post-mortem. He was flown back to Kuala Lumpur later on Wednesday for a burial in Perak.

According to family members here, Major Zahir was enlisted as part of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon and was scheduled to leave later this month.

"It is unimaginable. How can something like this happen? It should not have happened," said an uncle of Major Zahir who declined to be named.

Major Zahir was with the commando unit based in the Sungai Udang army camp in Melaka.

In a statement, the Malaysian Army said the simulation had been ongoing since Aug 19 but on the proper demonstration day, a fatal situation occurred.

"The Malaysian Army will form a special investigation committee to identify the cause of the incident," said its public relations department.

Meanwhile, Malaysian King Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin and the Queen, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar, have extended their condolences to the family.

In a statement, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said he hoped the family would stay strong in the light of the situation.

"We, at the Defence Ministry, too, sympathise with their loss. I hope the public will not make any speculations (with regard to the death) until the autopsy is completed, as a mark of respect to the family of the deceased," he said.

Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal said his prayers were with the family during their hour of grief.