M'sia police to question Perlis chief minister over video of him allegedly shooting cow with rifle

A video of Perlis Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) Abu Bakar Hamzah firing a rifle at a cow during an Aidiladha korban (the ritual slaughter of a livestock animal for Hari Raya Haji) ceremony in Malaysia has gone viral, with police now set to question him over the incident.

According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), the clip sparked criticism online, with some questioning why a firearm was used at all, and whether the act was in line with the religious requirements for korban slaughter.

The ceremony was part of a state-level korban programme in Kuala Perlis involving 25 cows. One broke free before it could be slaughtered.

"I didn't shoot the cow for fun"

Abu Bakar said he fired at the animal after it became aggressive and could not be restrained, adding that he aimed for its leg rather than its head.

He told FMT:

"I didn't shoot the cow for fun. It had become aggressive. If we had left it alone and it gored someone to death, who would be held responsible?

Once it broke loose, we couldn't do anything else. So I took the rifle and shot it in the leg. After it fell over, then we slaughtered it."

According to Berita Harian, he cited recent incidents across Malaysia where runaway sacrificial animals had killed people, including one in Ulu Tiram, Johor the same day that left one man dead and another seriously injured.

Mb Perlis tembak lembu korban pic.twitter.com/pw9DQc3CF8

— Jazma Hamsi (@Jazma_Hamsi) May 29, 2026

However, video clips of the purported incident have surfaced online, appearing to show the chief minister firing at the cow from a distance, from under a makeshift tent.

Police to summon him

Kangar police chief Assistant Commissioner Yusharifuddin Mohd Yusop said investigations are underway, with officers looking into the type of firearm and ammunition used, including whether live rounds were fired.

According to Malay Mail, he said: "The incident in the viral video is already within the knowledge of the police. So far, no police report has been received, but preliminary investigations are being carried out."

He added: "We will summon the Chief Minister to obtain a statement regarding this issue."