Ex-Auxiliary Police Officer Sentenced for Reckless Discharge of Firearm

SINGAPORE — Muhammad Mukhlis Kamis, a 39-year-old ex-auxiliary police officer, was sentenced to two months in jail on July 7, 2025, for a rash act that endangered the safety of a colleague. The incident occurred on November 22, 2023, at the Singapore Air Freight Terminal, where Mukhlis, in charge of the armoury, discharged a round from a .38 caliber Taurus revolver into a countertop.

According to court documents, Mukhlis had been employed by Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) Security Services for over 11 years, serving as an armourer for five years prior to the incident. On the day of the incident, Corporal Zulkarnaen Ramli, accompanied by a safety officer, arrived at the armoury to collect equipment. Upon noticing a bullet was missing from his revolver, Mukhlis proceeded to retrieve and load a bullet into the firearm. Subsequently, he discharged the weapon, hitting the countertop, while Zulkarnaen stepped back in fear. Fortunately, no one was injured, and no damage costs were reported, as the slug was embedded in the countertop.

The police were alerted to the incident by the SATS control room shortly after it occurred, leading to Mukhlis’s arrest and the seizure of the firearm and ammunition. Mukhlis, who cooperated with the investigation, expressed regret for his actions, with his defense attorney, Azri Imran Tan, stating that Mukhlis could not explain his decision to load the revolver, deeming it 'foolish.'

The prosecutor, however, highlighted Mukhlis’s awareness of the potential dangers associated with handling a live firearm, given his training and certification as an armourer. The court noted that his actions bore an element of playfulness, as he was observed throwing the bullet in the air before loading it.

For the charge of a rash act endangering personal safety, Mukhlis faced potential penalties of up to six months in prison and fines up to S$2,500. The prosecution recommended a sentence of three to four months, while the defense argued for a lesser term of one to two months. Ultimately, the judge sentenced Mukhlis to two months in prison, emphasizing the serious implications of his reckless behavior.

The incident raises concerns about the handling of firearms within auxiliary police forces and the protocols in place to prevent such occurrences. As the legal process unfolds, it underscores the critical need for stringent training and adherence to safety practices among officers entrusted with firearms.