KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Police Commissioner, Datuk Hamza Taib, has ruled out any Suluk involvement and dismissed the possibility that the homemade bomb that killed a Pakistani at Kampung Air Tengah, Semporna on Tuesday is linked to the 700 electrical detonators and explosive items that were reported stolen from an explosive company here in Menggatal.
Hamza Taib said, so far, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident but believed the bombing may have involved more than one suspect.
He also said the police have not been able to establish the motive for the attack but would be looking at all angles in the investigation, including getting statements from the four Pakistanis who survived the incident.
“We will be looking into every aspects, their contacts, connections, who they were dealing with. It (the motive) could be revenge, jealousy, debts or other aspects,” said Hamza, during a press conference after presenting an ex-gratia cheque to Sumiati Suarah, widow of Sergeant Major Baharin Hamit who was killed during Ops Daulat, at the police headquarters in Kepayan here yesterday.
Hamza said, five Pakistanis were sleeping in a wooden house at a water village in Kampung Air Tengah, Semporna when the bomb exploded at 4.30 am on Tuesday, killing Attaulah Hukmat Khan, 35, who was sleeping in the living room. The explosion left a gaping hole in the living room which caused the body to fall into the water below.
Four other Pakistanis sleeping in another room were not injured.
Hamza added that the Pakistanis, aged between 20 and 55, all possessed passports and were taking up part time work such as making carpets and selling cosmetics here.
Police believed that the bomb used in the incident was homemade, Hamza said, adding that their forensic personnel would determine whether the bomb was a fish bomb or explosive used in a quarry.
“At this point of our investigation, we have found no evidence of any involvement with the Sulu institution, Hamza disclosed.
Hamza also said that the bomb used had no connection with the 700 electrical detonators and explosive items that were reported stolen from a storeroom of an explosive company here in Menggatal in April this year.
“Our personnel from the forensic, marine (police) and crime investigation department (CID) have been instructed to conduct further investigation,” he said.
He stressed that the police would be pressing charges regardless of whether the suspect(s) is a local or a foreigner, and that the case would be investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Hamza urged the public with information on the incident to come forward to assist in the police investigation.
Earlier, Hamza said, the ex-gratia cheque was presented to the widow and children of officers who were killed or injured on official duties. He added that the ex-gratia payment which used to be given out as a lump sum is now presented on a monthly basis.