BN candidate for Bukit Begunan , Mong Dagang, is now under police investigation for allegedly discharging a handgun that hit a man who is believed to be his aide.

However, it is not clear whether it was done intentionally or accidentally, with police investigation still under way.

“We are investigating the case under the Firearms Act. We will submit the report to the higher authorities after the investigation,” Sri Aman OCPD Mat Jusoh Muhamad said when contacted today.

“If the shot was made intentionally, then there is a criminal element. But the case is still under investigation and witnesses will be called.”

NONE Mat Jusoh said police received a report related to the case last week.

Mong ( left ), the Bukit Begunan incumbent, could not be contacted for his response.

Bukit Begunan is an Iban-majority rural seat under the Sri Aman parliamentary constituency, which is seeing a four-way fight.

The other candidates are former Sri Aman MP Jimmy Donald of PKR, Ivanhoe Anthony Belon from SNAP and Independent Lias Julai.

Speculation about the shooting has been spreading in Sri Aman town the past few days.

DAP Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, who was campaiging in Sri Aman, raised the issue in microblogging website Twitter this morning.

“Heard BN candidate for N26 Bukit Begunan let go a pistol shot and hurt his secretary. Can confirm this? Risk disqualification,” read his tweet.

Asked why the case has turned into an election issue, Ooi explained that all candidates must be free of any criminal charge, failing which they can be disqualified.

“The police have to clarify whether the case has criminal element or not because it involves a key contestant,” he said when contacted today.

“The Election Commission must be notified as soon as possible and this must be made known to the electorate before polling day. If he is cleared, it should be announced, too.”

An elected representative will be disqualified if he or she is convicted of an offence and jailed for not less than a year or fined not less than RM2,000.