KUCHING: Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata has issued a stern warning, urging individuals with homemade and unlicensed firearms allegedly for hunting purposes to promptly surrender them to the police to avoid legal action.
The warning comes in the wake of a recent incident in Julau where a 31-year-old local man suffered injuries to his left thigh due to a blast from a homemade firearm (bakakok).
Police received a report on the incident around 4.:23 pm on Jan 16, and the injured man is currently receiving treatment at the Sarikei Hospital, but he is reportedly in stable condition.
The case is under investigation according to Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960.
Mancha stressed the gravity of homemade and unlicensed firearms, saying: “We are taking the issue of homemade and unlicensed firearms seriously. We will not compromise with anyone found in possession of a bakakok or an unlicensed firearm.
“Those with such firearms are advised to surrender them immediately to the police before legal action is initiated.”
He was speaking at a media conference at the Sarawak Contingent police headquarters (IPK) here, this morning.
The possession of a homemade or unlicensed firearm is a serious offence under the Arms Act 1960, which carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to RM10,000 upon conviction.
The public is strongly advised to adhere to established laws concerning the ownership and use of firearms.
Mancha shared statistics revealing the police’s proactive measures, stating that last year, police confiscated 21 bakakok and 11 unlicensed firearms; in 2022 alone, 32 bakakok and 21 unlicensed firearms were seized.
The press conference was attended by Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Ibrahim Darus, Sarawak Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) chief ACP Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah, Sarawak Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (CPCSD) chief SAC Lukas Aket, Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief SAC Wong Ing Fung, and Miri police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu.
