Penampang police chief Haris Ibrahim said they had started recording statements from those involved and present during the exercise.

He, however, did not give details, including whether the shooter had been brought in for questioning.

“We are still probing the matter but I can’t tell you more at this moment. Let us finish our investigations and then we will call the media,” he said, when contacted by FMT.

Asked to comment on a video of the purported shooting incident, which has been making the rounds on social media, Haris said: “That video is unverified … anyone can claim that it is of the incident.”

He had said yesterday that police were investigating the case under Section 304a of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence.

Zahir, who is the son of veteran comedian and actor AR Badul, was part of a demonstration exercise which used live bullets at the Lok Kawi army camp near here when he was shot at 8.25am yesterday.

The exercise was held in conjunction with the launch of the Fifth Division and 13th Brigade of the Malaysian Infantry.

Zahir, who is said to have worn a bullet-proof vest, took on the role of a terrorist in the demonstration.

He shot at another soldier as part of the exercise and as they were exchanging fire, Zahir suddenly collapsed, prompting other army officers to rush to his aid.

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here where he died at 9.20am.

Zahir’s body was initially taken to the As-Salam Mosque at the Lok Kawi army camp for prayers before being flown back to Perak for burial in his wife Nour Shafinar Harun’s hometown of Tambun last night.

Zahir and his wife have five children.