SINGAPORE: In a surprising turn of events, auxiliary police officer Muhammad Mukhlis Kamis, 39, has been sentenced to two months’ jail after accidentally discharging a firearm at the Singapore Air Freight Terminal. This incident, which occurred on 22 November 2023, unfolded during what was meant to be a routine equipment retrieval.
The Incident
On the day of the incident, Mukhlis was in charge of issuing firearms when Corporal Zulkarnaen Ramli arrived to collect his equipment. Mukhlis, who has been with Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) for over 11 years and served as an armourer for five years, supplied nine rounds of 0.38mm ammunition instead of ten. When Zulkarnaen pointed out the missing bullet, Mukhlis retrieved one from below the countertop.
What happened next is best described as a mix of poor judgement and playfulness. Mukhlis threw the bullet in the air, caught it, then loaded it into the revolver before pulling the trigger—all in a matter of five seconds. Fortunately, the shot merely struck the countertop, avoiding injury to his colleague.
Legal Consequences
Mukhlis pleaded guilty to a charge of committing a rash act endangering personal safety and received his sentence on 7 July 2024. The prosecution sought a heavier penalty, pointing out that as a certified armourer, Mukhlis should have been aware of the risks associated with his actions. His defence lawyer, Mr Azri Imran Tan, aimed for a lesser sentence, highlighting Mukhlis’s prior commendable record and expressing regret for his actions.
What the Court Said
The court noted the serious nature of the offence, considering that Mukhlis’s actions could have led to severe consequences. Deputy Public Prosecutor Joseph Gwee commented on the ‘element of playfulness’ in Mukhlis’s conduct at such a sensitive position, emphasising that serious harm could have resulted from a firearm mishap.
Mukhlis, now regrettably disconnected from his position at SATS, must reflect on this incident as a valuable lesson in responsibility—especially when handling firearms.