KUCHING(Malaysia): A police corporal who was arrested over a road rage incident on Thursday night now faces disciplinary action and criminal charges.

The suspect, a 31-year-old corporal from the criminal investigation department, allegedly assaulted a woman with his service revolver after her car accidentally grazed his vehicle at a roundabout.

It was learnt that he blocked off her car and demanded her to get out, identifying himself as a police officer. He was then alleged to have taken out his revolver and hit the woman's head with it several times.

He also threatened to shoot her when she tried to run away. When the woman called her family for help, the corporal sped away in his vehicle.

He was arrested at his quarters at the Tabuan Jaya police complex at about 9.45pm after the woman lodged a report.

Sarawak Commissioner of Police DCP Datuk Mohmad Salleh said police were investigating the matter and would take disciplinary action against the corporal.

"He was drunk at the time of the incident. He is still in custody and we will remand him if necessary," he told reporters after witnessing the handover of duty from acting deputy commissioner of police SAC II Thaiveegan Arumugam to the incoming deputy commissioner SAC I Datuk Hamza Taib at police headquarters here y.

DCP Mohmad said the corporal faced charges of causing hurt and criminal intimidation under Sections 324 and 506 of the Penal Code.

"I have said many times that I will not tolerate any indiscipline or poor conduct in the force. We cannot afford to have officers or men who behave like this," he added.