Combing the area: Bomb squad members from the state police headquarters and K9 unit carrying out inspection at an international school premises in Penang. — Photo courtesy of China Press
Nearly 40 police reports lodged over schools’ bomb hoax
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 37 police reports have been lodged in connection with bomb hoaxes at education institutions.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said these reports were recorded as of 2pm yesterday.
“The police reports were lodged in nine states involving international schools, private schools and government-assisted schools,” he said when contacted.
The highest number of reports were in Selangor with 15 cases involving 11 international schools and four private schools followed by Kuala Lumpur and Johor with six cases each.
Penang recorded three cases, Perak and Negri Sembilan had two cases each, while Kedah, Sabah and Sarawak had one each.
The IGP assured the public, especially parents, that there was no reason to panic over the incidents.
“The police always ensure the safety and security of the people. We have everything under control,” he said.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said school sessions in affected schools in the state went on normally after the Bomb Dispersal Unit conducted security flushing and did not find any bomb or explosive.
“We assure the public that the schools are safe and the situation is under control,” he said.
At least 19 schools were affected over an email containing a bomb hoax on Tuesday.
The email, which caused classes to come to a halt at the schools, was believed to have also been sent to 70 schools in Jamaica earlier this month.
Razarudin had said investigations on the contents of the email revealed that it was originally written in English and then translated to Bahasa Malaysia.
“The same contents were also sent to 70 schools in Jamaica on Nov 12 using the same email service provider.
“The investigation now is focusing on whether the incident in Malaysia is related to the incident in Jamaica that is believed to have been masterminded by one individual who may have experienced childhood abuse and lack of attention but has expertise in the field of software computer to protect his identity,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
He added that police have opened investigations under Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for misuse of network facilities.
“We give our assurance that the safety of students and teachers is guaranteed nationwide,” he said.
