KUCHING: The suspect in the shooting incident at the Kota Samarahan Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base is said to have asked his colleagues whether they wanted to "live or die" before opening fire, killing three of them before turning the gun on himself.

       According to an initial report, the suspect with the rank of corporal, arrived at the guardhouse at 7.15am on Friday (Aug 13) and picked up a firearm.

       When one of his colleagues, also ranked corporal, tried to calm him down, the suspect allegedly asked, "Do you want to live or die?" before shooting him in the abdomen.

       The suspect then shot two other personnel before turning the gun on himself.

       It is learnt that the suspect, who is from Lundu, had served at the Kuantan air base in Pahang and was undergoing Covid-19 quarantine.

       Sarawak police commissioner Comm Aidi Ismail said police were still investigating the case.

       "The motive for the shooting is still unknown. The suspect had no problems with his colleagues," he said when contacted Friday (Aug 13).

       Separately, deputy police commissioner Deputy Comm Mancha Ata said three of the RMAF personnel, including the suspect, died at the scene.

       He said the fourth personnel, who was seriously injured, died at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan at about 9.20am.

       "The firearm and bullet casings will be sent to the police forensic laboratory and Chemistry Department for further analysis," he said.

       DCP Mancha urged the public not to speculate on the incident, adding that the case was classified as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.