Kangar police chief Yusharifuddin Yusop said Abu Bakar’s statement was recorded following a report lodged over a 38-second video of the incident circulating online.

Checks by the district police headquarters’ licensing division confirmed that Abu Bakar held a valid firearms licence for the shotgun.

“The action was taken because a cow had become aggressive and threatened programme workers and members of the public attending the Kuala Perlis Perdana Korban programme,” Yusharifuddin said in a statement.

The case is being investigated under Section 39 of the Arms Act 1960 for discharging a firearm in a public place, an offence that carries up to one year’s jail, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.

Yusharifuddin urged the public not to speculate or issue statements that could provoke any party while the investigation is going on.

Yesterday, Abu Bakar defended his action, saying he only shot the cow intended for sacrifice during an Aidiladha ceremony on Wednesday after it had broken loose and gone berserk.

The incident drew public attention after a video went viral, leading netizens to question the necessity of using a firearm.

Some also questioned whether this action aligned with the religious procedure for slaughtering cows for Aidiladha in Perlis.