Murder Attempt

Read this in The Star Online about an attempt on an assemblyman's life.

State assemblyman for Skudai Teo Kok Chee escaped death when he managed to prevent a gunman from pulling the trigger on him in an attempted assassination at a crowded restaurant. 
Teo, who is also Johor Gerakan chief, was with some party members for dinner last night when the gunman walked in, tapped him on his shoulder and pointed a gun at his chest. 

A scuffle ensued. He fell and ran for cover behind a car while the gunman also took off. 
Narrating the incident, Johor Baru North OCPD Senior Asst Comm Wan Ali Abu Shahmah said Teo had gone to a restaurant at Taman Ungku Tun Aminah with 11 state Gerakan committee members and supporters after a meeting at around 9.30pm yesterday. 
Twenty minutes later, he said the gunman walked in from behind wearing a full-face helmet and tapped Teo on his shoulder and said: 
“You come with me” in Mandarin. 
As Teo turned he saw a gun pointed at his chest and he tried to grab it while trying to pull out his own gun from his pocket. 
A scuffle ensued and the gunman pushed Teo causing him to fall.   [snipped....]

This assemblyman was carrying hiw own gun in his pocket when he was having dinner with other Gerakan members?!  Is he authorised to carry a gun?  Is it licensed?  Why carry a gun? Body got shit?

Whoa! It could have been pretty messy if he managed to use his gun.