SIBU: The probe into the shooting at Long Bridge Road, off Lanang Road, on Jan 9 has taken on a new twist as the police yesterday arrested the bodyguard of slain Ting Meng Min.
The bodyguard from Sabah was hired by Ting for his protection.
It is understood that he used to work in Peninsular Malaysia and he has a licensed pistol for his job.
Sibu police chief ACP Mohd Kamal Kordi confirmed the arrest, saying they were now probing the bodyguard under Section 39 of the Fire Arms Act 1960.
The police chief did not go into the details of their probe except that the police were concerned whether there was a need for him to shoot back after the vehicle of the killer was speeding away, and whether there was any element of self defence.
The police were concerned because there were many people taking supper at the few coffee shops in the vicinity and the road used by the speeding vehicle was heavily congested.
The police were taking these into consideration for public interest.
The bodyguard was remanded for four days starting yesterday.
The shooting occurred when 30-year-old Ting was having supper with his friend Xiao Fen, two bodyguards and two other friends in a coffeeshop corridor.
They were standing up to leave after having settled the bill when a vehicle pulled up from the back lane to fire up to three shots on Ting, killing him and wounding Xiao Fen.
One of the bodyguards returned fire as the vehicle was speeding off, firing up to six to seven shots.
According to the police, they had questioned the bodyguard shortly after the incident.
It is learnt the bodyguard could not be sure whether his shots had hit the vehicle of the killer and whether he had shot any of the three persons in the vehicle.
The police have checked with the hospital and clinics in Sibu, and no one had sought treatment for gunshot wounds.
The police have also checked with the car repair workshops in Sibu and found no vehicle with gunshot holes being taken to any of them for repair.
Meanwhile, Ting’s woman friend who was shot in the incident was discharged from the hospital yesterday.
Xiao Fen from Wenzhou, Zhejiang, has recovered from the shot wounds. She was shot on her left arm and wrist.
The 22-year-old will return to China on Jan 25.
As she is a star witness in the shooting, the police will require her to come back to help in the case if there is a need. The police have already recorded her statement.
Xiao Fen came to Sarawak a year ago and befriended Ting when she was working at a pub in Miri.