KUALA LUMPUR – The bullet that hit a maritime officer in the right eye was surgically removed and he is now in stable condition without needing an eye replacement, said top cop Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
He added that the medical team initially wanted to replace junior maritime petty officer Zainal Abad Komel’s eye.
Razarudin also confirmed that the police identified one of the perpetrators involved but did not divulge more details.
“The suspect is unlikely involved with any militant group. Instead, this incident is a case of a robbery at sea.
“During the festive season, some people are travelling back to Kunak and Semporna – so some are taking advantage to rob them.
“However, investigations are ongoing. We will increase patrols of our waters,” he told reporters after an event at the Malaysian Police Training Centre (Pulapol) here today.
The second victim who was on the same boat, identified as maritime leading seaman, Prayrie De Cuella Jimin, 35, was injured on both hands when returning fire.
Four other enforcement personnel were unharmed.
In the shootout incident yesterday morning, the MMEA personnel were on patrol as part of Op Khas Pagar Laut in Kunak waters when their boat spotted a vessel being navigated suspiciously in the waters at 0.2 nautical mile northeast of Kg Pangi, Kunak.
However, upon approaching the vessel, three suspects opened fire at the officers. – April 8, 2024