Army to form inquiry team after soldier allegedly opens fire, commits suicide
The army will form an inquiry team to improve security operations procedures and governance following an incident where its personnel allegedly fired shots before committing suicide in Kuching, Sarawak, last night.
Chief of Defence Force Affendi Buang said the formation of the team was to avoid such incidents, especially among its personnel, from recurring...
The army will form an inquiry team to improve security operations procedures and governance following an incident where its personnel allegedly fired shots before committing suicide in Kuching, Sarawak, last night.
Chief of Defence Force Affendi Buang (above) said the formation of the team was to avoid such incidents, especially among its personnel, from recurring.
He said the focus of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) now was to help the family of the personnel involved so that his widow and child receive appropriate assistance.
“I would like to express my condolences to all those involved and the MAF will hand over the full investigation of this case to the police.
“The MAF does not want to issue any preliminary statements regarding the incident so as not to hinder the investigation being carried out by the police,” he told a press conference after attending a shooting exercise programme at the Syed Sirajuddin Camp in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan today.
Affendi said the armed forces will hold a special media conference regarding the case so that there will be no misunderstanding or negative perception among the community.
Yesterday, a soldier died after he allegedly shot himself in Kampung Kolong 1, Sungai Tengah Jalan Matang, Kuching.
The soldier, in his 20s and based at the army camp in Bau, was believed to have gone on a shooting rampage, injuring his mother-in-law.
Covid-19 booster
Meanwhile, the armed forces will speed up the administering of Covid-19 vaccine booster shots to its personnel as stipulated by the Health Ministry.
Without revealing the total number of booster shots to be given, Affendi said the armed forces will identify personnel requiring the booster shots, adding that it would be done as soon as possible.
“The Health Ministry said the group that would be given priority for the booster shots are the frontliners, (so) we will start the inoculation for this booster dose as soon as possible according to the categories stipulated by the ministry,” he added.
He said that among its personnel who will receive the booster shots were high-risk individuals and those who had completed vaccination six months ago.
Previously, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that senior citizens with comorbidities, frontliners, individuals who have low immunity as well as those staying and working long term in care centres would be given the vaccine booster dose from this month.
Also present at the programme were Defence Ministry secretary-general Muez Abd Aziz and Army Chief Zamrose Mohd Zain.
- Bernama
If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, or know someone who is, please call the following hotlines:
Talian Kasih
Hotline: 15999
The Befrienders
Hotline: 03-76272929
Agape Counselling Centre Malaysia
Hotline: 03-77855955 or 03-77810800
Life Line Association Malaysia
Hotline: 03-42657995
The Health Ministry and Mercy Malaysia have also set up a psycho-social support line for frontline workers and others who are emotionally affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
The line can be reached at 011-63996482, 011-63994236 or 03-9359935, from 8am to 5pm.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.