KLUANG – Johor’s top cop Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay says he is confident police adhered to protocols during a recent shootout in Batu Pahat which killed four suspected armed robbers.
He said the suspects had opened fire first, prompting police to respond in kind out of self-defence.
“I hope all quarters, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), note my official statement before making any comments,” he told reporters at the Kluang district police headquarters here, today.
He was commenting on a statement made by Eliminating Deaths & Abuse in Custody Together (Edict) which questioned whether police adhered to protocols during the incident.
Ayob Khan said he would issue a full statement after investigations were complete.
The shooting incident occurred when a team from the state contingent’s Criminal Investigation Department stopped two road users, apparently driving in a suspicious manner.
According to police, two suspects in a Toyota Avanza suddenly fired shots at them as they tried to approach one of the vehicles.
Police added that the other two suspects, in a Perodua Myvi, attacked the police with a machete and a dagger while trying to escape, injuring a police officer.
Earlier, Ayob Khan paid his last respects to Lance Corporal Bradford Bernard, 28, who was killed after a drunk driver crashed into his motorcycle at KM6 Jalan Kluang-Teck Wah Hing, here, Friday night.
“His remains will be taken to Penampang, Sabah tomorrow to be buried there. This is a huge loss to the Johor police and Kluang IPD,” he said, adding that stern action would be taken against the 58-year-old driver.
Meanwhile, the victim’s brother, Bradson Bernard said his elder brother had just got married in January and the last time his family saw Bradford was before he returned to Johor Baru after the wedding ceremony.
The crash occurred after the victim finished his duties at the Simpang Renggam Prison. – Bernama, February 14, 2021
