The use of a firearm on a sacrificial cow during a recent Korban programme in Perlis, which went viral on social media, was carried out as a precautionary measure to prevent injury to organisers and members of the public, according to the state leadership.
Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah clarified that the incident occurred during the Korban Perdana programme at the Kuala Perlis state constituency event after one of the cattle broke free and became aggressive, prompting swift action to ensure safety on site.
He said the programme involved the sacrifice of 25 cattle, but only one animal escaped its restraints before the slaughter process began.
According to him, the situation escalated when the animal ran loose and appeared to pose a danger to those present, forcing organisers to take immediate preventive action.
The Menteri Besar stressed that the animal was not killed by the gunfire, explaining that the shot was aimed at its leg before the standard slaughtering procedure was carried out.
General safety observers note that animal control incidents during large-scale livestock handling events can pose significant risks, particularly when animals become agitated or break free from restraints.
He added that the decision was made to avoid potential injuries or fatalities, citing previous cases in other parts of the country where uncontrolled sacrificial animals had caused serious harm.
Abu Bakar also highlighted that he personally carried out the slaughter of 24 other cattle during the event, with only the incident animal requiring additional intervention before the ritual was completed.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed they have not yet received any official report regarding the viral video showing the incident, although investigations and checks are ongoing.
Authorities say they are aware of the footage circulating online and are monitoring the situation as public attention continues to grow over the incident.
