Home Ministry to investigate parts found in containers

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is carrying out a detailed investigation into parts from two containers seized from a ship that was detained in Port Klang last week.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the investigations were important to determine whether the parts found in the two seized containers were to be used for making nuclear weapons.

“We are investigating the background of the containers and parts found in the two containers.  It is to determine whether these are possibly parts to help make weapons of mass destruction or nuclear items.

“The investigation needs cooperation from experts and international expertise. The cooperation also involves the ministry, police and other agencies,” he said after receiving a courtesy call by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Abdul Aziz Al Saud at Bukit Aman here yesterday.

Hishammuddin said if there was truth that the seized containers were parts used for making nuclear weapons, it would bring serious implications to the country and must be handled carefully.

“First, we need some time to identify the equipment and for what it could be used for. Only then can we trace the source,” he said.

Last Thursday, Malaysian police seized two containers from a ship bound for western Asia.

According to reports, the Malaysian-registered vessel, which had arrived from China and headed for western Asia, carried dismantled equipment parts which were listed among items subject to controlled and restricted sale by the UN Security Council and other international laws. — Bernama