The police officer involved in the accidental shooting of a 10-year-old boy should be suspended pending investigations for not complying with the police’s standard operating procedures, says human rights group Suaram.

It said that while the officer is now being investigated under the Firearms Act as well as by an internal disciplinary committee, the officer is reportedly still on duty.

“This is where the internal mechanism of investigation fails as the officer is allowed to carry on with his daily job as usual,” Suaram said in a statement today.

The NGO also reiterated its call for the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

The boy, Mohd Amar Mohd Azizi, was reportedly struck by the stray bullet on Monday as an unnamed deputy investigating officer was cleaning his Walther P99 pistol at home, when the weapon was accidentally discharged.

Mohd Amar survived the shot with serious neck injury and is now reportedly recovering at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh while surgeons decide on how to remove the bullet lodged behind his throat.

Officer 'clearly negligent'

According to the online news portal Free Malaysia Today, Perak police chief Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the officer was going on leave and should have returned the weapon as per standard operating procedures (SOP).

“(Only) detectives and investigation officers are allowed to take home the gun because they are on call 24 hours but they must report and renew the permission weekly. That is compulsory.

“Officers who applied for leave, too, must give back their weapons,” he was quoted saying.

Suaram said this shows that the officer was clearly negligent and did not comply with the police’s SOP.

Meanwhile, national news agency Bernama quoted Acryl Sani assuring that investigation on the officer will be professional and transparent.

“We are investigating the case from all angles including negligence and misconduct…

“After the investigation is completed, we will submit the investigation papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action,” he said.