A rare shooting at a shopping centre jolted Malaysia this weekend, leaving one man injured and a nation on edge. A 30-year-old fugitive with a history of drug offences remains at large, forcing malls and public spaces to tighten security.
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The suspect vanished into the night after hijacking a car at gunpoint following the shooting on Saturday evening at Setia City Mall in Setia Alam, 40 minutes west of Kuala Lumpur. A janitor was shot in the legs, police said.
Videos of terrified shoppers scrambling for cover flooded social media, offering a rare glimpse of gun violence in a country that seldom suffers from it.
Malaysia imposes severe penalties – including death sentences – for offences involving firearms. Civilians cannot easily own guns, and illegal possession carries harsh punishments, making shootings rare.
On Sunday, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain urged calm while announcing intensified surveillance, with auxiliary police officers and mall security guards instructed to be on alert for suspicious activity.
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“We understand that there is concern among the community following this case, but we hope that the public does not make any speculation that could cause concern,” he told reporters.