Ashari said he received a report at 6.20pm from the security company’s operations officer, who had received a call from the hospital’s head of security, Harian Metro reported.

He said the incident occurred on Wednesday when the guard was alone in an office. Apparently, he placed his weapon – a Winchester 12-bore shotgun – on a table, then stood up and accidentally knocked it off and it discharged, firing a single shot into the counter nearby.

“The incident took place at 5.30pm while he was alone during his noon to midnight shift,” he said, adding that the 56-year-old security guard had not engaged the weapon’s safety.

Ashari said no one was reported to be with the guard at the time and no injuries were sustained.

He said the operations officer lodged a report at the Alor Gajah police headquarters, after determining that the guard was negligent in handling the firearm.

Police will seek a remand order for the guard at the Alor Gajah magistrates’ court for further investigation.