The bodyguard who was detained for pulling out a gun in a public area. Pix: MynewshubMALACCA: The Malacca police have released a bodyguard of Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after recording his statement for allegedly drawing a pistol and pointing it at the public at a function organised by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in Kampung Baru Rim, Jasin, near here Saturday.

Malacca Crime Investigation Department head, ACP Raja Shahrom Raja Abdullah, said the 37-year-old was released at 9pm at the Jasin police headquarters.

He said the man was detained following five police reports lodged over the incident which happened between 3.30pm and 4pm.

The man was investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and was released on police bail after police recorded his statement, he told a media conference at the Malacca police contingent headquarters here Sunday.

Raja Shahrom said preliminary police investigations found that the man had a licence to carry the firearm and based on his statement, he was just doing his job as a personal bodyguard.

However, police would conduct further investigation and would look at the video-recording and pictures taken by members of the public at the scene, he added.

In the Saturday incident, the bodyguard, who was travelling in a Toyota Camry, got out of the car, drew out his pistol and pointed it at a group of men who were trying to prevent a bus, which Anwar was in, from going to the PKR function.

The action of the bodyguard was witnessed by those at the scene who proceeded to disarm him.

Raja Shahrom said police would also investigate into an allegation that the bus was splashed with red paint at the scene.

-- Bernama