Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Sarawak police commissioner Mancha Ata had informed him of the matter during his recent visit to the state.

“A police report was lodged and a preliminary investigation was promptly conducted to identify those involved.

“During the briefing, I was informed by the Sarawak police commissioner about the involvement of a police officer. An investigation paper has been opened concerning the case; that’s all I can confirm for now,” he said.

Saifuddin spoke to reporters today at the home ministry’s meet-and-greet programme and the 76th National Registration Day celebration at Sekolah Kebangsaan Permatang Pasir here.

Previously, police had arrested two men to assist in the investigation into the fatal shooting of the victim who was undergoing training in the area.

According to Mancha, both men, aged 31, were apprehended on the same day, and the police seized a shotgun and cartridges from them.

“The investigation found that they had been hunting illegally.

“One of the men fired a shot in the direction of the victim who was apparently mistaken for a wild animal in the 2.45am incident,” Mancha added.