KUALA LUMPUR — Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has defended the state Menteri Besar’s shooting of a cow that escaped during a Hari Raya Aidiladha programme recently.
Asri said that animals meant for human consumption could be shot using a bow and arrow or gun, if it could not be captured for slaughter.
aHe also said since a prayer had been recited prior to the animal’s killing, it was not wrong for Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah to have used a gun on the creature.
“The ‘bismillah’ was said before firing. If the animal was killed by arrow or bullet or a bite, then it can be eaten,” the mufti said on Facebook.
Asri added that dogs can also be used to hunt for animals meant for eating.
He said this in his defence of Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah who shot a cow with a gun when the animal escaped during a Hari Raya Aidiladha programme in Kuala Perlis this week.
After Abu Bakar came under fire for his action, he said that the cow could not be left to rampage as it could have injured people.
“I did not shoot for pleasure. The cow went wild. If it had been left unchecked and gored someone to death, who would be responsible?
“When it broke loose, there was nothing else we could do. So I took the shotgun and fired at its legs, and only after it fell was it slaughtered,” he was reported saying by Free Malaysia Today.
The Bersatu politician was recorded on video firing at the cow during during the Hari Raya Aidiladha programme, which led to talk that other cows at the event had been sacrificed by using guns.
Abu Bakar denied this, saying only one cow was shot by him after it broke free, while the rest were slaughtered according to procedure.
Kangar Police have begin an investigation to examine the type of ammunition and firearm used, and may summon Abu Bakar to assist with further inquiries. – May 30, 2026