Stricter law for hoaxers proposed

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State police chief says this is to deter people from making pranks that could cause panic

Datuk Mazlan Mansor

Datuk Mazlan Mansor

KUCHING: State Commissioner of Police Datuk Mazlan Mansor yesterday proposed a stricter law to be imposed on people making pranks.

He said this would serve as a deterrent to those making jokes without realising that their actions could cause panic among the public.

He was commenting on a prank made by a soldier who said he was carrying a bomb in his bag while checking-in at the Kuching International Airport at around 10.15am on Thursday last week, which prompted them to make a report with their superior. Mazlan was speaking to reporters at a press conference here yesterday.

Earlier, Mazlan handed over letters of appreciation and awards to prudent road users as well as to the district police station that performed well during the ninth edition of the two-week Ops Selamat held in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

He added that the police were alerted to the incident and the 25-year-old suspect was detained. But upon checking the bag, police only found layered cakes, salted ‘terubuk’ fish and his clothes.

He said the case had been referred to the public prosecutor as well as the suspect’s employer for further action.

“His three-day remand order expired today (yesterday) and he will be facing the music for what he had done,” he added.

The suspect is being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and was released on police bail.

Three flights had to be cancelled on Thursday morning as a result of the bomb hoax, as police personnel had to not only inspect the soldier’s luggage, but also conduct a two-hour sweep of the airport to make sure there were no elements of a bomb present.

“The airline staff (member) stationed at the counter enquired about the contents of a box being checked in by the suspect, to which the latter replied that there was a bomb inside which was to be used to blow up the flight.

“The staff (member) repeated this question to the soldier who gave the same answer again, prompting the staff (member) to immediately alert his manager,” district police chief ACP Abang Ahmad Abang Julai told a press conference at the district police headquarters following the incident.