Although he did not name the person, it is believed he was referring to the leader of a political party who was reported to have said at a political talk recently that the man had died a martyr.

Hamid said he viewed the statement as serious and had instructed police to open an investigation paper and call up the individual to give a statement.

“On the incident in Penang, there are still irresponsible people who are issuing their own statements, saying the person died a martyr.

“I view this matter seriously because if the man died a martyr, then how about my men who shot him? Are they kafir (infidels)?” he said in a press conference held after launching the 2019 Royal Malaysia Police Innovation Day 2019 here today.

He said such statements are not acceptable as they were recklessly made, without considering the actual facts of the incident.

Hamid said police had taken action in accordance with the law, otherwise, a worse tragedy could have occurred.

“I have already said before that the incident was not connected to what was said of it.

“The individual concerned had become extremist and radical as he was obsessed with violent videos on social media,” he said.

He also confirmed that the suspect shot dead had been influenced by terrorist video clips from the Middle East.

Hamid advised the public, especially parents, to monitor the activities of their children who should not be watching too many violent videos on social media as they could become influenced and radicalised.

He had earlier issued a warning that stern action, including arrests, will be taken against irresponsible people for spreading articles about the incident which could cause racial tension in the country.