Shooting at RMAF base isolated case, weapons’ SOPs in place

 

Four military police officers were killed in the shooting incident at the RMAF base in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, in August. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The defence ministry says the shooting incident that claimed four lives at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, on Aug 13 was an isolated case and that SOPs on weapons storage are in place.

Deputy defence minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz also said the incident involved military police officers who usually carried firearms while on duty.

Responding to a question in the Dewan Rakyat by Rubiah Wang (GPS-Kota Samarahan), he said the families of the victims had been provided funeral expenses and other contributions from the Army Welfare Fund and cooperative.

Rubiah wanted to know the measures taken by the government to improve the mental health of the troops so that a similar incident will not take place.

Ikmal Hisham said the defence ministry and the RMAF have their own mechanisms to ensure the mental well-being of military personnel and their families.

“Mindef and RMAF have a team of counsellors and psychologists to cater to the mental health needs of the troops and their family members,” he said.

“We sent a team of counsellors and psychologists to the Kota Samarahan base immediately after the shooting incident via our Rakan Pembimbing Angkatan Tentera based in Kuching.”

The incident is still being investigated as authorities are trying to establish whether there are any criminal elements involved. - FMT