10-10-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) A 32-year-old man residing in Sungai Puyu, North Seberang Prai, has confessed to police that he learned how to construct a bomb from online sources and purchased the necessary ingredients through online channels.
The suspected bombmaker was found in possession of a firearm, homemade ammunition, and a karambit knife. Police apprehended him after one of his improvised explosive devices detonated in the corridor of the Taman Pandan flats, where he resides.
Assistant Commissioner Mohd Asri Shafie, the Officer-in-Charge of North Seberang Prai District Police, revealed that authorities received a call from the public reporting the explosion at approximately 1 p.m. on Sunday. According to a witness, the explosion occurred at 12:56 p.m. in front of a unit on the upper floor of the four-story residential complex.
Upon receiving the report, the police deployed bomb squad, forensic, and K9 units from the state and district police headquarters to the scene. The investigation conducted by the bomb specialist determined that the explosive used was an improvised explosive device (IED). However, only a portion of the IED detonated, and the police are still investigating the cause of the explosion.
Following the incident, the police arrested the suspect and a 37-year-old foreign woman near the flat at approximately 8:30 p.m. on the same day. During the interrogation of the man, crucial evidence was discovered, including another homemade bomb, a pistol, homemade ammunition, and a karambit knife. The female suspect was found in possession of the karambit knife, pistol, and homemade ammunition, which were located in her bag.
The male suspect admitted to acquiring bombmaking knowledge from online sources and purchasing the necessary materials through online platforms. Both suspects, believed to be factory workers with no prior criminal records, tested negative for drugs. They have been remanded until October 12.
The case has been classified under several sections of the law, including Section 6 of the Explosives Act 1957, Section 8 of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958, and Section 8 of the Weapons Act 1960.
A visit by The Star to the Taman Pandan flats revealed that the unit, rented by the suspects, was locked. Several residents expressed shock upon learning that a suspected bombmaker had been living among them. Tan Seong Beng, a 45-year-old laborer and resident of the flats, reported that he and a few other neighbors informed the police about the explosion, leading to the suspects’ arrest. Tan stated that the couple had been residing in the flats for approximately four years and described them as quiet individuals who kept to themselves.
Recalling the incident, Tan mentioned hearing a loud explosion a few meters away from his own unit at around 12:50 p.m. on Sunday. He went outside and discovered debris from a package near his house. Tan expressed relief that the explosion did not occur when he and other residents had passed through the corridor earlier in the day. Another resident, who chose to remain anonymous, recalled seeing white smoke emanating from the suspects’ unit early in the morning on the day of the incident. When asked about the smoke, the man claimed to be barbecuing.
