KUALA LUMPUR – The woman targeted in the early morning shooting at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was in the early stages of pregnancy during the incident, according to police.
Bukit Aman criminal investigation director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said that the suspect, identified as Hafizul Harawi, 38, is the targeted woman’s husband and business partner.
The motive behind the incident appears to be a personal matter between the suspect and his wife, noting that the investigation is still ongoing, he added.
Shuhaily said the suspect threw firecrackers at the public around the area before approaching his wife, who was accompanied by her two bodyguards.
“One shot missed the wife, and another hit the bodyguard. The targeted victim in this case is safe.
“After firing the shots, the suspect fled to Level 2, Block C of the premises where he parked his car.
“The shots were fired from a distance of three to four metres away from the victims. In this case, the bodyguard did an excellent job of preventing the shots from hitting the target.
“Police have identified the suspect as dangerous because he was carrying firearms,” he added.
The operation to track him down is still ongoing, Shuhaily said, He also added that police have mobilised contingents and established strict controls at the country’s borders.
“The public is urged to inform the police if they have any information about the incident. Please do not take any action on your own,” he told the media today.
He also said that the bullet had hit the bodyguard’s stomach and that he is currently in an induced coma, awaiting surgery once his condition stabilises.
He added that the suspects have previous criminal records, including several police reports lodged against him by the victim over criminal threats.
“The wife lodged a police report under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal threats, once in 2016 and most recently in December last year.
“Based on these reports, the suspects have been arrested by the police, and we have forwarded the investigation papers to the relevant authorities.
“I believe that the victim hired bodyguards following the incident in December 2023.
“In addition to the two police reports under Section 506, the suspect also faced another case under Section 380/170, which involves stealing and impersonating a civil servant.
“So, yes, he has past criminal records,” he said.
However, Shuhaily said, the police are also considering whether there is a need to add extra security measures for the suspect’s wife.
He said that the police are investigating the matter under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder and also under Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971.
He also said that Bukit Aman is investigating the matter, as the incident occurred at one of the country’s entry points.
Earlier, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed that the suspect and his wife are currently undergoing divorce proceedings.
He also said that the suspect is believed to have fled to the north of the country. – April 14, 2024