Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman regretted that certain quarters are exploiting the shooting incident at a multinational company in Bayan Lepas.

"This is taking advantage of a tragic situation for their own narrow personal interests.

"I believe Penangites will not be influenced by such narrow-minded claims. No one will benefit when disunity and fights break out, everyone will lose,” he added in a statement.

Zakiyuddin was referring to Monday's incident where police gunned down Sheikh Mohd Khairil, 25, after he ran amok and caused the death of a 47-year old female supervisor and injured a 53-year old security manager.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador had warned against those spreading false allegations or making assumptions which could trigger unrest.

Based on investigations, he said police found that Sheikh was influenced by clips from the Middle East purportedly showing the plight of Muslims in the region.

Despite the police chief's warning, Puteri Umno vice-chief Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi told a ceramah in Kelantan last night that Sheikh ran amok after two people had insulted Prophet Muhammad.

She also described him as a martyr.

Meanwhile, Zakiyuddin hoped the police would investigate those who are making unwarranted speculations regarding the incident.

"I hope Penangites would continue living in peace and harmony as before.

"Penang will continue with our development based on unity and family, in line with our Penang 2030 Vision," he said.

"We are planning programmes to introduce differences of opinions where we will learn how to overcome these differences because this is not a bad thing but reflects our uniqueness and strength in Penang," he added.

In a separate statement, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang described the Puteri Umno leader's remarks as another “time-bomb” to nation-building.

He had also noted how social media was awash with postings which give the impression that Malaysia is on the verge of a racial and religious conflagration.