He said initial investigations revealed that the incident occurred following a misunderstanding between the suspect and the Datok Keramat assemblyman.

“So far, police investigations have found that the incident was neither politically motivated nor revenge-driven as the 60-year-old suspect, a foreign national, did not even know who his victim was.

“They were believed to have had a misunderstanding and the incident happened too fast,” he told a press conference here today.

Yesterday, media reported that police had detained and remanded the suspect to facilitate the investigation into the 8.30pm incident which had caused the Penang housing and local government committee chairman to sustain an ankle injury.

Shuhaily said the investigation paper on the case had been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for further action.

In another development, Shuhaily said police were on the hunt for four men believed to be members of an organised crime group known as the Chandra Gang, which has been active in drug trafficking.

“A total of 14 members of the group were detained through Op Cantas Tanjung 3 on May 25, and were charged in court under the Security Offences and Special Measures Act (Sosma),” he said.

Police believe the gang, involved in drug smuggling and possession of firearms, has been active since 2021.