SIBU: A 75-year-old Datuk lost his pistol, snatched by two men, while out exercising in the town square here.
The man, a director of one of Sarawak's six big timber firms, was holding a pouch with a semi-automatic Walther PPK 7.65mm loaded with seven rounds of ammunition when doing his morning walk.
The two thieves came up to him at about 4.40am, snatched the weapon and ran away. The Datuk had gone to the square with two others but was alone when the snatch occurred. He was not hurt.
District police chief ACP Mohd Kamal Kordi said police went to the scene at about 5.30am after the Datuk lodged a report.
"We searched the construction site nearby and also at Jalan Kampung Dato and Kampung Hilir to look for the suspects. No arrest has been made," he said.
Bernama reported the victim as WTK Holdings Berhad chairman Datuk Wong Kie Yik, who is also a community leader.
ACP Mohd Kamal said the victim had gone to the park with two persons for his daily morning exercise but was alone at the time of the incident.
"He saw two men walked by him. He did not think much of them. The two however turned round and snatched the pouch which he was carrying in his hand.
"They then fled on foot," he said.
ACP Mohd Kamal said the victim owned the pistol for 20 years.