Army demonstrations to continue using live bullets, says Mat Sabu

PARLIAMENT | Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said live bullets will continue to be used in demonstrations despite the accidental death of an army commando in an exhibition in September.

However, he said, a special team has been formed to review the standard operating procedures (SOP) of such training to ensure such accidents would not occur again.

"The usage of live bullets is used by special forces throughout the world.

"Such training can clearly produce special forces members who are competent and highly-confident in facing special operations, especially in hostile situations where they need to rescue hostages.

"In terms of training using live bullets, the ministry does not deny the risks exposed to the members involved in such training, but the results are worth the risks based on the capabilities of 21 special forces team in producing officers and members who are highly confident and motivated to carry out special and strategic missions," Mohamad Sabu said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datuk), who had asked whether there was a need to change the SOP for any weapons demonstration by the military.

Ahmad Zahid had cited in his question the death of an army commando on Sept 4.

Major Mohd Zahir Armaya from the 11th Gerak Khas Regiment had died during a mock counter-terrorism demonstration during the launching of Lok Kawi camp in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The deceased, who was the son of actor AR Badul, portrayed a masked terrorist who was to be shot by an army officer.

After the shot was fired, Zahir, who was hit in the back, collapsed and the performance was called off. He died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital about an hour after the 8.30am incident.

It was later reported that the shot had missed the bulletproof vest plate in his vest. - Mkini