By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 6: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) in Putrajaya received a bomb threat yesterday (June 5), after a suspicious parcel was addressed to its minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, which a police investigation later confirmed was a hoax.
Various national dailies reported that staff and visitors at the Ministry were instructed to evacuate the building at 4.30pm due to security concerns and precautionary measures after the package, was received at 11.19am via a delivery service with a Sungai Buloh address.
A team of 10 police officers, a bomb disposal unit, and two sniffer dogs arrived at the premises after receiving a report at 3.21pm and a call from Tiong to verify the threat.
Putrajaya district police chief Assistant Commissioner A. Asmadi Abdul Aziz stated that the suspicious parcel contained a timer, wires, and a PVC pipe, resembling an actual bomb.
However, there were no threat letters or other objects.
“Based on the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, it was sent by a man using the J&T express courier service.
“He then shook the parcel, before delivering it to the Ministry’s lobby at 2.45pm and it was then taken to the 14th floor, where an officer received it,” he told a press conference yesterday (June 5).
A. Asmadi said the case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957.
“We will also review the case under relevant acts, considering several angles, including threats and other aspects affecting public safety,” he added.
He emphasised that the police will thoroughly investigate all security issues and will not compromise with any parties involved in delivering the false bomb threat.
He urged anyone with information to come forward to the Putrajaya police station or the nearest police station to lodge a report.
“We hope there will not be any speculation on the matter,” he added.
The police also requested the building management to enhance security measures and tighten supervision in the building, including following the standard operating procedure (SOP) for any parcels addressed to the Minister. — DayakDaily
